@Shawn Pehrson  Please calm down. 

I have wondered if converting a pool into an elaborate water feature such as a pond with a waterfall and some surrounding vegetation and rock features would be an alternative to the cost of complete dismantle/removal.

(Fortunately that's not as longterm a relationship as a contractor) Usually a calm, competent and politic approach will win the day.Can you believe we're still talking about this in 2013?

I've used this experience many times in real estate.As a firefighter, I learned how to stay calm when everything around me was telling me to panic.

So being one who wanted to go go go all the time I have learned to slow down a bit and my range anxiety has calmed down a lot since the super charger network has about doubled sine I bought mine almost 3 years ago.But for sure in the big wide expanses of the intermountain west there are places you simply cant go.. as there is no charging of any kind.

Wait until you've calm down a little bit and perhaps you can see the bigger picture.

Again, other might feel differently here.b) Skin in the game: as a conservative investor, I understand that the dirty secret of industries that the waterfall compensation is in the line with me and incentivizes sponsors to take more risk.

I help anyone and everyone.Now calm down and chill.

I am a super duper newbie and I am so nervous to get started, this information has calmed my nerves a bit.

By collecting acquisition fees, management fees, points, and working themselves in to fee split as @David Thompson mentioned or waterfall structures following the preferred returns of their investors, they take a sizable piece of a very large pie.