Private Home Pool or Neighborhood Pool?

Most people who move to Florida want access to a pool because Florida has sunshine almost everyday.  As a home buyer in Florida, should you choose a home with a pool in the yard or choose a home with a nearby community pool?  There are pros and cons to each choice.  

Potential Backyard in Florida

If you like to swim or relax in a pool often, you may choose a home with a private pool.  When you are ready to swim, you simply open the door leading to the pool and jump in.  The sparkling clean pool will add value to your home when you choose to sell it (based on a similar home without a pool).  You won't have to share the pool with anyone except people that you know and choose.  If you want privacy, you can locate the pool (when building it) where there is less chance of someone seeing you in the pool.  You may also install a fence, screened area, or natural shrubs to block or partially block the view into your pool area.  

Some people don't mind sharing a pool with others.  Others don't want or can't afford a private pool.  If that is you, consider choosing home in a neighborhood that has either a neighborhood pool or a nearby community pool (i.e. city pool, Y, country club or other community center).  

Y Pool, Tampa, Florida

In the Tampa area, many neighborhoods have pools.  Usually the pool is located convenient to most of the homes and many have a parking area.  You may drive, walk, ride a bike, or use another mode of transportation to arrive at the neighborhood pool.  Most neighborhood or community pools have chairs to use when you visit and bathroom facilities.  Some may have a snack area and/or a coin operated drink machine. Many employ lifeguards and pool maintenance employees to keep the pool, guests and surrounding area safe and clean.  You won't have to clean the pool or pay directly for the operation of the pool (this cost may be included in neighborhood fees which all owners pay-even if you don't use the pool or have a pool of your own-ask your agent). Usually a neighborhood pool is much larger than a private pool and some will have lap lanes for serious swimmers.  In addition, the neighborhood pool may be deeper and have pool extras like diving boards and/or a pool slide. Many communities in Florida have picnic areas and grills available to use in addition to a pool, and some neighborhoods have organized activities for residents.  

Neighborhood Pool with giant slide in Wesley Chapel, Florida

Which option sounds better to you?  

With a private pool, you have privacy, 24-hour access, and you don't have far to travel if you forgot to bring sunscreen or a towel.  

Tip:  ALWAYS USE SUNSCREEN IN FLORIDA! 

With a neighborhood or community pool, you won't have the upkeep that a pool requires:  cleaning, skimming, and testing the water chemicals (or you won't have to pay monthly for pool service).  Your electric or gas bill will be less than the same home with a private pool.  You may pay less for home insurance. Accidents can happen anywhere, but a homeowner who has a pool must insure that safety fences, screens/nets, or alarms are used and work properly to protect those who may accidentally wander into your pool area. Another benefit of having a neighborhood pool is that you are able to meet more of your neighbors.  These neighbors may be your friends for many years. On the other hand, you may find that the neighborhood pool visitors are loud, rude, and may or may not follow the pool rules.  It is a good idea to have your Realtor® take you to the neighborhood community area a few different days at various times during the day so that you may see a sample of who visits the pool and how clean and safe the area is for your family, friends, or guests. 

Having access to a pool in Florida is important.  After all, Florida is the Sunshine State.  It is warm in summer (fall, winter and spring, too!). Swimming is a great way to exercise and cool off quickly. When moving to Florida, consider the benefit of having your own pool or having access to a nearby pool.  

If you have any questions about pool ownership or finding a great home in Florida, let's talk.  

Contact me: my first name@(my first name)(my last name).com

What is a Parade of Homes?

The Tampa Bay 2015 Parade of Homes is from April 11-April 26, 2015. The hours are Monday-Saturday: 10 AM-6:00 PM.  Sunday: 12 noon-6:00 PM.  

What is a Parade of Homes?  It is a FREE event in Tampa where you may visit 140 decorated model homes from various builders and 3 professionally remodeled homes.  There is a map to the homes and all are located throughout the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and Pinellas County).  For more information, please visit the website: TampaBayParadeofHomes.com 

The Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA) sponsors this event every year.  There are other sponsors too.  It takes a lot of sponsors and volunteers to make the Parade of Homes a very special and successful event.

It is a GREAT way to see what is new in Florida housing.  

You may want to see what materials are now being used in new construction homes. Are kitchen counter-tops still made of granite in new homes?  Are stainless steel appliances still the rage?  What new energy efficient options are available in new construction? There are many other questions that you may have that can be answered.  

What are the prices of these homes?  There are a lot of different price ranges for homes in the Parade of Homes, so everyone should be able to find a dream home.  The actual price range is from $150,000 to over $1 million.  

Have you ever wanted to see inside a million dollar home?  Now is your chance in Florida.  I've found that million dollar homes are a lot more fancy than normal homes, but they also have a lot more rooms that will eventually need cleaning.  Of course, if you can afford the home, you most likely have the resources for a housekeeper.  Allow me to help you with any home professional referrals. 

You may go on your own to see these homes at your convenience. The only limit is time.  The event will end soon, so why don't you plan to visit the Parade of Homes tomorrow?  It is a nice way to spend a day in the beautiful Florida sunshine.  

If a new home is a consideration, let's talk.

Welcome to Diane's Real Estate Blog!

Welcome to Diane's Real Estate Blog!

  

Whether you are considering a move to Tampa from another city, state, or country or you are considering a move from within Tampa, welcome!

I am a Florida licensed Realtor® who has been living in Florida for over 30 years.  My office is Florida Executive Realty which has 5 offices in the Greater Tampa area.  Please visit my website:  www.DianeAcken.com

Let's talk.  If you are considering a move to Tampa, let me tell you about the area.  

Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater is the metropolitan area known as Tampa Bay.  If you live on the West coast of Florida in the counties of Hillsborough or Pinellas, you live in the Tampa Bay area.  It is a large geographical area, so depending on your needs, one of these cities could be the right place for you to live.  We have no snow here.

The population of the Tampa Bay area is almost 2.9 million people.  Everyone lives here:  young, old, and in-between. 

St. Petersburg and Clearwater border the Gulf of Mexico, so if you are interested in a beach property, those are great cities to live (or visit).  

Tampa is where I live and work.  It is where I sell the most homes.  

Let's talk.  What is keeping you from living in Florida?  

I ask this to many Florida visitors that I meet.  The most common response is:  I would love to live in Florida but my family or friends have lived in another state for many years and they don't want to move.  

I understand. 

Guess what?  Most Florida residents lived in another state or country at one time.  

I was born in the Northeast United States.  I didn't have a choice to move here.  My family was transferred here due to a corporate job transfer.  I was a dependent child at the time. Goodbye friends, family, school, and town where I was born.  

There were adjustments, but it was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.  

At that time, I had never been to Florida, but my Grandparents would go to Florida every year during the cold northern winters.  

We call people who are here for the winter "snow birds".  Some are here from Fall to Spring, others are here for a month or two during those months.  It is wonderful to have them here.  Our businesses are busier and many of these people eventually make Florida their permanent home when they see all that Florida has to offer them.   Did you know that Florida has no State Income Tax?  That is because our visitors and semi-permanent residents pay sales tax which supports many of our services.  

I advise people who are buying a home in Florida to choose a home with one extra bedroom, especially if they are from an area outside of Florida.  People will visit.  I guarantee it.  In addition, they may soon make the opportunity to move here.  You won't be on your own for long.  Also, you also will never have to shovel snow or scrape ice off of your car windows here.  

Does it sound like a place where you would consider living?  

Let's talk.