Indoor Swimming Pool - GLA Or Not?

[residentialguy]

Not

 

[Deleted member 77547]

I've done about a dozen homes with indoor pools. I exclude it from GLA and include it as a separate line item in the grid. You'll find it works much better that way and adjustments will make more sense. Most of the time that area is closed off from the rest of the home due to humidity and chlorine odor. Its often finished in a dissimilar quality to the main living area, so I tend to treat it as an amenity.

 

[Noreen]

The county shows the square footage of the home at 2,452. WHen I measured the house (including the indoor pool) I got 2,869 sf. Indoor pool was permitted. Same build quality as rest of house (including HVAC). Entry through the primary bedroom as well as exterior doors. The actual room is 20 x 28 for 560 sf. Close (enough) to the difference.

My question........would you include this indoor pool as square footage (GLA)? I am inclined not to....simply because the room has diminished overall use with the pool inside.

This is a private case date of death appraisal for an attorney.

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

My instinct is to note it as a separate line, lower part of the grid, acknowledged SF in narrative portion of explanations.

 

[glenn walker]

I would not use it as GLA - but it's a judgement call !

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

It's a drowning hazard!

I would not use it as GLA - but it's a judgement call !

 

[gregb]

It's a drowning hazard!

Could be a negative "attribute" and limit the buyer pool who want, need or desire an indoor pool amenity.

 

[Tom4value]

It is not GLA. You cannot live in a pool. It is an amenity. Find a comp...any comp with an indoor pool to come up with an adjustment.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Find a comp...any comp with an indoor pool to come up with an adjustment.

Good luck with that. In 25+ years have never seen one, or even an MLS listing for one.
Except, Hearst Castle has 2 pools, 1 indoor and 1 outdoor iirc.
That place is a comp for nothing.

 

[Mark K]

Could be a negative "attribute" and limit the buyer pool who want, need or desire an indoor pool amenity.

This is my experience in this area.

I've appraised 2 with very nice indoor pools. One took about twice as long to sell conventionally and the other, after about 2 yrs. on the market, sold on contract.

The final sales price was lower than homes w/similar GLA (if you include the pool area). Pool seemed to add contributory value about the same as additional garage or very large enclosed porch; both pool rooms were about 700 s.f. and nicely finished with separate venting fans and HVAC, including large dehumidifiers. Returned about 20 cents on the dollar vs. cost, both were about 10 yrs. old.

 

[Don Clark]

I have appraised 3 such properties, all for VA. i have never included the pool area as GLA.