When you first bought your home, your pool might have been an attractive feature. You wanted the ability to teach your kids how to swim at home, throw pool parties for their birthdays, and keep them active during the summer. Those memories made the investment worthwhile.

But after your kids have moved out to go to college or start their careers, it might be time to consider whether or not you want to keep that pool.  How often do you and your spouse go for a dip? Is the hassle of maintenance worth it? Where else can you spend all the money you’re now “sinking” into your pool? What about all that space it’s taking up in your backyard?

You may not have considered pool removal, but for many, it’s the right option. As you’ve regained your freedom, you may be looking for funds to go on that vacation you’ve been putting off or take up a new hobby. If you don’t use your pool often, visiting a community pool every now and then is much cheaper than spending $200 on maintenance, not to mention the added electricity and water costs.

Many people assume that they should keep their pool to maintain their home value, but the truth is that, as a pool ages, it can negatively affect the value of your home. And in neighborhoods where pools aren’t the norm, it can make selling your home harder. To find out how pool removal affects the value of your home, get a professional opinion from a real estate agent.

And consider how you could use the extra space in your backyard. Thinking about getting a dog to fill the empty nest? He’ll appreciate the room to run around. Or you could start that vegetable garden you’ve always dreamed of having. The possibilities are endless!