Pool or Furnished basement?

[dino_electropolis]

I'm in the process of buying my first house. Its both exciting and frustrating.

If you could only afford a house with either a nice pool or a nice finished basement, which would you pick?

I live in Jersey, so a pool is a definite escape from living in jersey, but i can get year round use of the basement. (Poker, Superbowl, etc)

I'm thinking nice finished basement.

If someone can make a poll, please do so.

[Death Metal Moe]

I say basement mainly because like you said, pool is seasonal and basement is year round.

[ToiletCrusher]

basement. where else am I supposed to keep that lady in a hole?

[instrument]

this mancave shit is goofy.

pool.

unless you have a neighbor, or you live in a nice town wit a borough pool.

or if you have a song who will one day get that basement and become everyones best friend.

[topless_mike]

i just bought a house with a nice pool. would rather have the fucking basement. i cant store boxes n shit in the pool.

although...

flipside- basements flood. pools cant, really.

[jauble]

Furnished basement for sure resale and all that shit alone worth more. Plus there is nothing better than reappearing at halftime on the late game for the first time above grade.

[PapaBear]

this mancave shit is goofy
Why does everything have to have a new name these days? It's a freaking basement.

Go for the basement. You can go pool hopping but I don't recommend crashing other people's basements.

Oh, and you don't have to maintain a basement.

[drusilla]

pool. you can work on the basement yourself & it's way cheaper than trying to put in a pool.

[Slumbag]

I'd only put in a pool if I felt like having a bunch of people pretending to be my friends for the summer.

[topless_mike]

Oh, and you don't have to maintain a basement.

most of the time. if his house lies on a high water table, he will.

[Death Metal Moe]

Yea, Papabear nailed the point I was about to add. No upkeep on a basement besides normal house cleaning.

NO PH balancing, no chlorine treatments, no leaves, no closing it up for winter, no Shatner wives falling into your basement.

Go with the basement.

[dino_electropolis]

this mancave shit is goofy.

pool.

unless you have a neighbor, or you live in a nice town wit a borough pool.

or if you have a son who will one day get that basement and become everyones best friend.

You just sold me.


Basement it is.

[PapaBear]

You can also put a pool TABLE in a basement. I grew up with a finished basement with a pool table. That's why I can't stand having a TV in the living room. TV and shit is for the "den" as we always called it.

[dino_electropolis]

Oh, but here's the rub....the bride to be is a teacher with summers off, and a displaced brooklynite who's always had a pool.
So there's that, too.

Maybe save and build a real nice pool when possible?


Poor thing! with SUMMERS OFF, not having a pool (and god forbid, a pool boy!)....

Basement.

[razorboy]

You can also put a pool TABLE in a basement. I grew up with a finished basement with a pool table. That's why I can't stand having a TV in the living room. TV and shit is for the "den" as we always called it.

Or you could install a pool in your basement.

[topless_mike]

Oh, but here's the rub....the bride to be is a teacher with summers off, and a displaced brooklynite who's always had a pool.
So there's that, too.

Maybe save and build a real nice pool when possible?


Poor thing! with SUMMERS OFF, not having a pool (and god forbid, a pool boy!)....

Basement.

you can buy the house with the basement and put the pool in.

its much cheaper than buying a house with a pool then trying to put a basement in.

[PapaBear]

Oh, but here's the rub....the bride to be is a teacher with summers off, and a displaced brooklynite who's always had a pool.
So there's that, too.

Maybe save and build a real nice pool when possible?


Poor thing! with SUMMERS OFF, not having a pool (and god forbid, a pool boy!)....

Basement.
Tell her to get a job in summer so you can afford both.

[Suspect Chin]

Basement. On a side note, how did the whole $8000 tax break go for you? I know some states are giving short term interest free loans to float you the 8K until next April when you pay it back with your tax return check. That way you can use it for a down payment now.

[underdog]

Pool.

The difference in cost of putting in your own pool and finishing your own basement are probably not even close.

Get the house with the pool then finish your own basement.

[dino_electropolis]

Basement. On a side note, how did the whole $8000 tax break go for you? I know some states are giving short term interest free loans to float you the 8K until next April when you pay it back with your tax return check. That way you can use it for a down payment now.

I had no idea.

If Jersey has it, i'm buyin you a beer.

[Suspect Chin]

I had no idea.

If Jersey has it, i'm buyin you a beer.

http://www.ncsha.org/section.cfm/3/34/2920

About halfway down the page is New Jersey.

[dino_electropolis]

http://www.ncsha.org/section.cfm/3/34/2920

About halfway down the page is New Jersey.


If you PM me an address and choice of beer, and i'll send a case.....if you got beer delivery in your town.:drunk:

[burrben]

basement

[Suspect Chin]

If you PM me an address and choice of beer, and i'll send a case.....if you got beer delivery in your town.:drunk:

Ha don't worry about it. Only reason I knew about it is because I'm thinking about buying a house in Missouri and saw that we have the program here.

How did things go as far as financing, etc. Is it really as tough to get as people make it sound?

[dino_electropolis]

Ha don't worry about it. Only reason I knew about it is because I'm thinking about buying a house in Missouri and saw that we have the program here.

How did things go as far as financing, etc. Is it really as tough to get as people make it sound?

Its been ok. I have some friends in banking and such who will be walkin me through it. We've only just started applying so i cant really say.

[topless_mike]

Pool.

The difference in cost of putting in your own pool and finishing your own basement are probably not even close.

Get the house with the pool then finish your own basement.

i dont think he's talking about a finished basement. i think he's talking about a basement in general.

[jauble]

or a nice finished basement, which would you pick?

I'm thinking nice finished basement.

i dont think he's talking about a finished basement. i think he's talking about a basement in general.

I disagree

[TripleSkeet]

I have both, and heres a quick fact. Its alot cheaper to get a house with an unfinished basement and fix it yourself (or hire someone) then it is to buy a house without a pool and put one in. Youre talking like $20,000 difference easy.

But also keep in mind if you have a pool that it also comes with extra bills every year. Such as chemicals, and higher electric bills. You can cut down on the chemicals if its a salt water pool. (Actually saline but you use salt instead of chlorine. Saves me a bundle)

[WampusCrandle]

i say furnished basement. use all year round. also, pools only invite disaster - children, dead children, your neighbors .... who wants that?

you must upkeep a pool and too much hassle. not with a furnished basement.

also, if you decide to sell your house in the future, a pool can hurt you. not everyone wants a house with a pool - my friends parents are having this problem now. they have a pool and it's one of the major factors for it not being sold. i have never heard anyone complain that their house has a furnished basement.

[DolaMight]

i say furnished basement. use all year round. also, pools only invite disaster - children, dead children, your neighbors .... who wants that?

you must upkeep a pool and too much hassle. not with a furnished basement.

also, if you decide to sell your house in the future, a pool can hurt you. not everyone wants a house with a pool - my friends parents are having this problem now. they have a pool and it's one of the major factors for it not being sold. i have never heard anyone complain that their house has a furnished basement.

that's it only 30% of people max want a pool. It makes it really hard to resell. Unless you're sure it'll be your last home, basement.

Even better get a house without a pool and an unfinished basement and finish it yourself. you pay tonnes more for a finished basement, it's cheaper to pay less and finish it yourself. That way it'll be designed the way you like it.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

I just lucked out with both, pending a mortgage screw up and inspection , I was able to secure an End Unit in Staten Island ( Rossville) 3 Bedrooms, finished basement and a nice sized above ground pool with a nice wood deck


I personally wanted a basement, it is not seasonal, you can have your buddies over without waking up your wife

for myself I am gonna make a home office and entertainment room in my basement

[ANC]

I'm closing on a house next month with a pool and an unfinished basement

pool. you can work on the basement yourself & it's way cheaper than trying to put in a pool.

I agree 100%

I'd only put in a pool if I felt like having a bunch of people pretending to be my friends for the summer.

Poor Lisa....

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OShxIThQVmA/SSMBS02CRVI/AAAAAAAACHg/5W5iNb71BBo/s200/LisaSimpson%5B1%5D.gif

Pool.

The difference in cost of putting in your own pool and finishing your own basement are probably not even close.

Get the house with the pool then finish your own basement.

Of course, then you can have the basement done the way you want.

[jessicaduh]

all this backyard and basement talk lately...dirty birds.

[~Katja~]

pool. you can work on the basement yourself & it's way cheaper than trying to put in a pool.

I got a fireplace over a deck... because I figured I could always add a deck late on...
in this instance I would go with the finished basement (or even unfinished and do it yourself) simply because maintaining a pool costs a lot more money. Being in Jersey means you are not far from beaches and lakes... go for the basement!




and don't forget, the pool area needs to be fenced and secured... not to mention higher home owners insurance costs, water bill... costly pool chemicals and power to keep the pool turned and at temperature...
costly repairs (pumps and possible cracks and leaks... if it's not new it may need resurfacing...)

[Farthammer]

I'm in the process of buying my first house. Its both exciting and frustrating.

If you could only afford a house with either a nice pool or a nice finished basement, which would you pick?

I live in Jersey, so a pool is a definite escape from living in jersey, but i can get year round use of the basement. (Poker, Superbowl, etc)

I'm thinking nice finished basement.

If someone can make a poll, please do so.

Basement in a landslide. You live in Jersey meaning you can only use the pool for part of the year. Secondly Pools are a major pain the ass to maintain.

The basement as you have said would be used year round for parties, poker etc.

Plus you can always add a pool later if you really want one.

[ANC]

Being in Jersey means you are not far from overcrowded beaches and lakes... go for the pool!

Fixed....

Also make sure to get one of these signs:

http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2052_136707724 (http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2049_9155589) http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2052_136856920 (http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2049_5119768)

They're a gas....:unsure:

[drjoek]

In the long run, a pool if you plan on having a family while living in this house.

[~Katja~]

Fixed....

Also make sure to get one of these signs:

http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2052_136707724 (http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2049_9155589) http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2052_136856920 (http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/crystalclear_2049_5119768)

They're a gas....:unsure:

I tend to go to Wildwood Crest, it's not crowded at all... and the lakes neither... went to one in the Pine Barrens last year and we were amongst maybe 10 other people ... very nice and super relaxing.

[mook]

Definately basement...I can store all my illegal aliens down there!!

[ToiletCrusher]

'Tis a fine barn, but sure 'tis no pool, English.

[ANC]

I tend to go to Wildwood Crest, it's not crowded at all... and the lakes neither... went to one in the Pine Barrens last year and we were amongst maybe 10 other people ... very nice and super relaxing.

They keep people like me away from places like that....:sad:

I am excited to move though because I will be really close to the Jersey Shore.. the only thing that will suck is my Friday commute home in the summer..:thumbdown:

[ANC]

'Tis a fine barn, but sure 'tis no pool, English.

D'oh-eth!

:lol:

[dino_electropolis]

All these conflicting points of view, and each one valid in its own way.

As this would be a starter home, the family thing may be a few years off. By then I would be able hopefully to afford both in the house I ultimately settle down in

[Jujubees2]

Basement. If the wife complains, get her one of these...

http://www.swimways.com/product-images/13155H_080_act.jpg

[biggirl]

pools (and hottubs) are overrated.

[ANC]

pools (and hottubs) are overrated.

Oh Snap! She's going right for one of the big dogs! :ohmy:

[jessicaduh]

pools (and hottubs) are overrated.

No way! i'd live in the water if i could. and there are no sharks.

[RhinoinMN]

Oh Snap! She's going right for one of the big dogs! :ohmy:

She's not scared. She's got moxie.

[RhinoinMN]

pools (and hottubs) are overrated.

And creeeeeeepy.

[Jujubees2]

pools (and hottubs) are overrated.

Careful. Don't mess with the mods...

[ToiletCrusher]

Careful. Don't mess with the mods...

What's a mod going to do to me that I can't fix by creating a board character?

[RhinoinMN]

What's a mod going to do to me that I can't fix by creating a board character?

YEAH! Give it to em TC!

[ANC]

She's not scared. She's got moxie.

:thumbup:

And creeeeeeepy.

:lol:

[TjM]

Pools aren't worth the hassle (Maintenence, higher insurance, etc) Plus it's pretty much only going to be used for 3-4 months out of the year

[Hottub]

What's a mod going to do to me that I can't fix by creating a board character?

It's called IP banning.:devil2:

[ToiletCrusher]

It's called IP banning.:devil2:

nonsense poopy pants. I own every IP address.

[RhinoinMN]

nonsense poopy pants. I own every IP address.

Yeah! Get em!

[Kublakhan61]

Who in brooklyn has a pool?? Where was she living?

[dino_electropolis]

Who in brooklyn has a pool?? Where was she living?

Marine Park.

Its kinda funny....these small houses, right on top of each other, but a surprising number of them have an above ground pool wedged in the back.

[biggirl]

Basements are a big plus for when you have teenaged kids. They have a place to make out and dry hump each other. We never had a basement so Rhino and I had to drive out to the cornfields to get our groove on. Just remember: think of the future when purchasing a house.

[KatPw]

I have had both and would rather have the finished basement. I live within 15 minutes driving distance from the beach, and pools are a lot of maintenance. Having a finished basement is like having a whole other house underneath your house (we have a kitchen and bathroom down here). We use our basement as the den.

[biggirl]

Careful. Don't mess with the mods...

Hottub doesn't have the balls to ban me, I am just an innocent, fragile young lady. :innocent:

[ToiletCrusher]

Basements are a big plus for when you have teenaged kids. They have a place to make out and dry hump each other. We never had a basement so Rhino and I had to drive out to the cornfields to get our groove on. Just remember: think of the future when purchasing a house.

The nice part is that you though of the children and not of yourself.

BTW - can I borrow your basement for a few hours?

[biggirl]

The nice part is that you though of the children and not of yourself.

BTW - can I borrow your basement for a few hours?


Of course, anything for a friend....it is newly remodeled with a beautiful log futon...just lay some sheets down first.

[ToiletCrusher]

Of course, anything for a friend....it is newly remodeled with a beautiful log futon...just lay some sheets down first.

Oh, I come prepared!

[walking joint]

i've had both and would suggest you go for the basement. When we were looking a few years back I wanted no more pool. yeah, they are great a few times a year, but not worth the work to maintain it. We have plenty of room in my yard for one and the wife keeps hinting, but I'm going to fight her off as long as I can. We have decent local pools and beaches, plus I'm hoping one of my sisters who live in the same town will get one. I'll bring food and they can host the parties and clean the pool afterwards.

[cougarjake13]

I'm in the process of buying my first house. Its both exciting and frustrating.

If you could only afford a house with either a nice pool or a nice finished basement, which would you pick?

I live in Jersey, so a pool is a definite escape from living in jersey, but i can get year round use of the basement. (Poker, Superbowl, etc)

I'm thinking nice finished basement.

If someone can make a poll, please do so.

like you said you live up north and more use would be from the basement

[TripleSkeet]

Pool maintenance is cake if you know what to buy. For $1800 you can have your pool converted to salt. That will save you $200 a summer on chemicals and you dont really have to do much. Maybe add a bag of salt every other month. Then you get one of those underwater vacuum robots and a skimmer. It would take you no more then 10 minutes a day to clean the pool. And if the pools already there then that means the fence is already up to code, so you dont have to worry about that.

I live in Jersey and I lucked out. My pool was bought for us by an elderly relative we took care of. So its got everything including a heater. Its a godsend in the summer and the kids LOVE it.

If you have alot of kids in the family its perfect for summer BBQs and parties. Keeps them completely occupied. And like alot of people said, its alot cheaper to finish the basement yourself.

[KidNothing]

Finished Basement......pool is only good for a couple of months, then what? You can throw a bar, flat screen and a pinball machine and you can practically live in your basement..