I have a bit of a strange question. While it may look like a regular water feature, a retention pond serves a much greater purpose. However, these small aquatic plants can pose a problem when you have too much of it. Fish, ducks, and water-loving animals thrive. Home buyers or condo tenants rave about their view of a natural setting. The Definitions. Ugly weeds and scrub brush will grow all over the place, and it seems like all the neighborhood litter ends up there too. The typical neighborhood is slab homes and townhouses, 3/2, tiny lots, some with no or single garages, geared toward first-time homebuyers or empty-nesters, with prices from 89K (really!) I don't live next to one but our small neighborhood has 2 and one you have to really search for and the other is visible only because the greenway runs right next to it. The attractive ones, I wouldn't hesitate to move next to one. The reasons are: Mosquitoes. Recent Topics Privacy Policy, 2023 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. If you're in the market for a house with a pond, you've got a lot of homework to do before making an offer to purchase. sinkholes, and mysteriously drain themselves dry, BMP #: Constructed Wetlands (Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Manual Section 5 Structural BMPs, HOA Community Association Disputes & Legal Matters, https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wetland-and-Pond-Maintenance-2006.pdf?fwd=no, HOA Community Association Disputes & Legal Matters(935), Constitutional and Civil Rights and your HOA(354), New research busts myth that HOAs protect property values, 4 risks for homeowners in developer-controlled HOA communities. You're not alone. loans Homeowners concerned after dead fish found floating in Suffolklake. Stormwater ponds, at least in theory, provide added environmental benefits of slowing down the flow of water, filtering contaminants naturally, and allowing debris and silt to sink to the bottom of the basin. We lived with one in our backyard 25 feet from our pool for 17 years. That would hold true even if the pond did overflow due to poor design. In the back of the one we are looking at is a small natural pond that seems well maintained. Who pays if it floods? I love the house and everything else fits the criteria, but now this retention pond is giving me pause. Renting a house costs about $1,900/month. Between the flooding possibility and the mosquito breeding ground they create (to speak nothing of the non-migratory Canadian geese they attract) I would not purchase close to one. Nevertheless, maintaining a healthy environment for aquatic life is an ongoing expensive challenge for HOAs. The advantage is that there are no neighbors on one side of the house, but will the pond be an "eye-sore"? I have seen lots of them and never seen an attractive one ;). The yard you love is where all the water that lands on the development drains to, and without well-draining soils, the yard you love may be too wet to utilize for much of the year. Retention ponds are wet ponds. Pros and cons of living next to a pond (price, properties, expensive An algae bloom can reduce the oxygen available to support fish and other plant life within the pond. The stated goal of retention ponds also known as wet basins or detention basins, is to reduce the downstream flow of polluted stormwater, preventing erosion and contamination of watershed areas or private property. One of the homes was beautiful, but at the time I had a 3- and 1-year-old and wasnt comfortable with that. Government regulations, potential flooding, safety issues and added costs are among the concerns that need to be addressed by a prospective buyer. It is not attractive as is ;). Buying a house that backs up to a retention pond. - Sarasota They tend to lack construction knowledge, engineering expertise, environmental education, and financial resources to do whats necessaary, OR they simply choose to spend money on other things. Ugh, glad not to be one of them. We don't know enough here. After the fence startedto look shabby we took it down and it looked like lawn with a dip in it. . Would you Buy House Next to a Water Easement/Detention Pond? Blog author: Elizabeth Hiser, Natural Resources Coordinator. investing Soils maps can also be used to identify if hydric (seasonally saturated) soils are on site which would indicate the potential for wetlands. It was never a dangerous area but my kids were not allowed to play in the water unless I was there. Homeowners insurance is generally a prerequisite to obtain a mortgage for affected properties. My family is advising against this property because they're afraid the pond is hurting our foundation when it rains real bad. The only issue is that the house is right next to a huge detention pond. Since the story aired, Home Creations announced that it is working to fix the problems, including a plan to control erosion around the pond. You can see vegetation grown in between straight down to the ground. Retention ponds, otherwise known as retention basins and wet ponds, are artificial structures used to retain and treat contaminated stormwater runoff. Unless youre viewing a home near a recreational lake a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports that ornamental lake is nothing more than a retention pond. I think they are huge eyesores. This is a new construction area, so the other homes backing the pond have not all been built out yet. How big is "huge"? I can only imagine the cost of liability insurance for an HOA with hunting grounds in the middle of it. The forebay is a small pool at a higher level than the main pond . thoughts on buying a home next to a storm retention pond They are very well maintained by the township and are very attractively landscaped. landlord They are mosquito breeding grounds, along with rodents and snakes, plus they seem to be rarely maintained in older subdivisions. Each rooftop, paved driveway or parking lot, and every road creates hard surfaces that dont absorb rainwater. financing Also, it's a newer subdivision built in 2020 by DR Horton. My husband and I are looking to buy our very first home! And next time, homeowners wont be able to go back to the Home Creations for another $58,000 or more to repair damages from erosion. Is it earthen or is part of it cement? COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS MEMBER DAY | Congress.gov | Library of While there are some advantages to living near a retention pondpeace and quiet, green space, fewer neighbors nearby, and a decreased risk of floodingpotential buyers have other factors to consider. I think the old real estate adage of location, location, location is appropriate and would look for another lot . the sounds were coming from an apartment across the lake. thoughts on buying a home next to a storm retention pond We're first time home buyers, and we saw a house recently that we liked, but it's next to a large storm retention pond. 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The medical examiner today confirmed that the body found in a car that had sunk in a pond off Matanzas Woods . It sounds like this one will be dry most of the time, and wet only during periods of runoff. Serve as storage facility for controlled release of water. For example, the community may face any number of challenges, including, but not limited to the following: Below I have posted several documented examples of ponds and wetlands that have become unsightly, unpleasant, and expensive maintenance liabilities. Get unlimited access to tools and resources that make it easier to find, analyze, and manage deals with confidence! The retention ponds in the older section of the neighborhood are showing signs of erosion. EDIT there is a crack in the concrete near the hand rail leading to the stairs of the pool. In general, algae are essential for a healthy pond. Retention ponds are permanent structures designed to hold water flow for a short period of time, similar to a dam. I am looking to buy a house. Potential buyers should be aware of who owns the pond and how well they protect their investment before moving in. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. We looked at a few homes with retention ponds next door and decided against them. All rights reserved.6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | 800.333.3735, 2023 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.All rights reserved.6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | 800.333.3735, Legal Notices A pond that's clean and clear of unsightly brown-yellow algae mats on the surface can also increase the value of nearby homes. Ours have been nearly full all year (NC). Would you buy a house that is next to a retention pond? www.brotherhoodmutual.com. COPYRIGHT 2022 | SPECTRUM ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANIES | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Creating Good: Employees Gift 63 Days of PTO to their Coworker, Family Comes First: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, ask yourself if they can fill up and flood. While closing costs can be expensive, one of the largest mortgage expenses is the interest rate. landlords We have twotownship ownedone on either side at the end of our development. I am looking to buy a house. Find out if the town sprays or not (mine does, although I believe you can opt your property out). However, similar problems are likely to recur in another decade or so. Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its water view or a lake view? A retention pond collects stormwater during a storm and slowly releases it back into the natural environment. Its a platform to accomplish our mission: to help Americas churches and related ministries build the Kingdom. Tuesday, April 24th 2018, 3:10 pm EDT Even if it was situated where I would have to look at it from my property, I still wouldn't want it. borrowing Re:Would you buy a house that is next to a retention pond? Just because I would never buy a house like that doesn't mean nobody else will, and it doesnt mean its less valuable. And all the water has to go somewhere. POSTED 11:22 AM, MAY 22, 2018, BY KFOR-TV and K. Querry. . I checked out your pictures and I wouldn't buy a house next to the pond . Nationwide Pond Dredging Services Thats not exactly a selling point for home buyers, is it? Where boomers are going and what it might look like, Putting the brakes on stormwater runoff is the first step in sustainable water design, You can make an outdoor fish paradise of your own, for less than you might think. There usually won't be standing water in the pond, but after thunderstorms, water could stay in the pond for a few days until it drains completely. Just make sure you go into a property purchase with your eyes open to the potential for future issues related to land cover and location. The only issue is that the house is right next to a huge detention pond. A retention pond is a man-made pond created by digging out or building an earthen dam to hold back stormwater runoff collected from a drainage area. Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems? Heck they might be a turnoff on the whole development as it indicates what kind of developer and/or planner designed the area. And when they do occur, the stench is terrible. 1. [Advice] buying a home next to a retention pond. house Homeowners in the Turtlewood community called News 4 after learning about plans for a new retention pond in their neighborhood. By Connor DelPrete, Updated Tuesday, April 24th 2018, 6:24 pm EDT. The future owners of homes in this North Carolina DR Horton community will eventually inherit a stormwater system which will most likely include retention ponds. Simply varying the water level usually takes care of the mosquitos, and since these store water during periods of high runoff, and release this waster later, the water level varies quite a bit. The core conflict in HOAs what divides communities? While there are some advantages to living near a retention pondpeace and quiet, green space, fewer neighbors nearby, and a decreased risk of floodingpotential buyers have other factors to consider. . loan The truth is, the longer a retention pond or wetland exists, the more likely it is to create a nuisance which will eventually bring down property values. Plus like you said, you have no neighbors there. We got a good price for it and I'm hoping with the right landscaping it will be great. Neighbors blame DR Horton for flooded backyards. But will DR Hortons design and construction ensure that neighboring properties remain dry when it rains? In Turtlewood, homeowners were fortunate enough to address problems with the developer before official turnover of the pond to the HOA. Here are some of the problems associated with retention ponds, along with some risk management tips. Is Your Association Ready for a Recession? Stormwater Pond: 13 Things (2023) You Ought To Know - Gokce Capital I would love to see it and make a comment because we bought a lot with an undesirable factor but I was willing to overlook it because it was in the right neighborhood. Around here in nice areas, they are either called ponds usually with a fountain and nicely landscaped or they are completely blocked with evergreen vegetation. No, I wouldn't want the drowning risk. Is a property survey ever sold separately from the property. Living near a pond is most definitely a safety issue for families with young children or families who may have . They have locked gates with chicken wire to prevent people and animals from getting through. The answer is yes, though they should be aware that there are some considerations that need to be made. It is a pool home and the land declines after the screened patio for the rain (from Florida) settles so it wont flood. The solution lies in preventing mosquitoes from breeding, either by breaking up the surface of the water or eliminating mosquito larvae. But theres more. Quickly match with an investor-friendly agent who can help you find, analyze, and close your next deal. When they are relatively new, water in the pond tends to be relatively clear. Pros & cons of new Home yard backing retention pond, The following errors occurred with your submission. I read that water retention ponds in HOAs can be poorly maintained and can attract rodents, mosquitoes, and snakes, so now I am picturing a bunch of rats by the pond and in the backyard all the time. First-time buyers accounted for 31% of sales in June, also even with May but down from 35% in June 2020." Homes with drainage easements may also be required to obtain additional insurance to address flood risks. That said, I vote no on detention basins as neighbors. The ponds drain into preserves and ultimately streams. I'd buy it, but as a gardener, I'd sneak over & do all kinds of plantings so it would be attractive & wildlife-friendly. Around here, they almost always have water in them unless there is a drought. I would like to post a few pictures of the detention pond, but don't know how to do that on this website? However, we are in a townhouse development (so kids aren't usually in the backyard) and there is no other open space in the back near the pond, so it isn't like they would be playing near it and fall in. Spectrum Association Management can help! This variety of SWM pond is a whole lot more attractive, and can possibly increase your value - for the right person. My first post here sorry! What can be done about HOA problems and dysfunction? Thats why developers needed to find a way to market homes near some of the more obvious stormwater features, including retention ponds. Athensmom - if it is blocked with vegeation, would that change your mind? It is easy to overlook many of these issues when falling in love with a house. Safety first. Op here, there is no fencing around the retention pond. Easements can even be granted to preserve a neighbors view. Weeds/Debris. A low, grassy depression is one thing, and I might be able to live with it. Another tried to work the ponds into the overall design, running them in a quasi-natural shape, but again in a narrow strip behind the houses. For example, there is a constant danger of drowning for families with young children. Sometimes the owners make more money by selling permits to hunt on those properties even if they are in the middle of a subdivision.. A view of a water quality pond may sound enticing, but if maintenance and maintenance costs for the basin isnt high on your priority list be sure that you didnt buy the pond before purchase. A fenced and posted cement 'tank' is something else, and I'd call it an irremedial defect. Homeowners in The Farm at Brunswick say the battle with developer DR Horton hit a breaking point when they found the majority of their yards submerged. Homeowners must identify an insurance company that will be willing to insure the property. Real estate investors break down the basics, and share tips on how to get your next deal. They appear to have been very well designed in their functioneven during the height of Hurricane Floyd in '99 when the homes were being built they did not overflow. Wildlife management and pest control can become a huge headache for HOAs.