Not if you want to avoid problems later on. A corner lot can be a problem selling because you could have noisy traffic on two sides. A pool house may seem desirable, but maintaining a pool, particularly an older one, can present headaches you never dreamed of.

 

Let's take corner lots first. My advice is to avoid them. Although they are often promoted as a special added fea­ture, they actually can detract from value. The reason is twofold. First, as just noted, you get traffic on two sides of the home. Second, a corner lot means more open area in the front of the house, where it usually is not usable and requires added maintenance. At the same time, because you have an open front on two streets, the size of the backyard is reduced, meaning less privacy.

 

Pools, on the other hand, generally help sell homes. I personally believe this is because most people have never had a house with a pool and dream of it as a luxury. Pools can be nice, particularly if you have children and are in a mild climate; children tend to enjoy pools immensely.

 

But pools can be difficult and expensive to maintain. You may need a pool service, particularly if the pool is older or has a problem. Plus there is the added lia­bility. You will undoubtedly have to increase your insur­ance to cover the pool. The old saw here is that the two best days of your life are the day you buy your pool home and the day you sell it.

 

Think twice before buying a home in Honolulu with the intent of later putting in a pool. These days pools are fabulously expensive to build. What with stricter building code requirements, more expensive materials and labor, $20,000 for even a small pool is not unreasonable. And when it comes time to sell, you probably won't get even half that amount back.

 

A possible alternative is the spa. The spa was originally popularized as a "hot tub" on the West Coast, but then the idea moved across the country. It is essentially a small pool of hot water, with accompanying air and water jets, in which to relax. At one time, spas definitely helped sell homes because they were a fad and it seemed everyone wanted one. In most areas today, however, the popularity has diminished, and buyers can take or leave a spa. As a result, they are considered an attractive feature, but usu­ally don't add anything to the home's price. I wouldn't pay extra for one, but would be pleased to have it thrown in as part of the purchase price. Spas generally require minimal maintenance.