Is a swimming pool a deal breaker

[Alvin Taylor]

I have found a house that I am considering buying for a rental property, I am happy with both the price and location but my one concern is the home comes with an in ground pool so my questions are how much of the liabilities of the pool fall on myself and what can I expect in maintenance?

[Michael Faulk]

@Alvin Taylor is it an in-ground pool or an above ground? 

*In ground: Different strategies---1) Pass completely 2) factor in the cost of demo on the pool and back filling area into your rehab costs 3) Change your strategy on this deal if it's a killer deal and do a fix/flip, owner finance or prehab it. 

Above ground: Take it down. I've down this before...in my case I gave it away but you could potentially sell the above ground pool use those funds for any river sand, sod or seed that you would have to purchase to fill in the yard. Clean it up first and take pictures  before you take it down... p

I would hate to see you pass up a killer deal but a property with a pool is NOT a good business decision (In my opinion). Negotiate with the seller to bring the sales price down to include removing the pool if necessary. Remember it's all a numbers game... anything can be fixed. 

Michael