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The most common "problem" I hear potential buyers discussing related to retention ponds are about children safety issues.  Small children will be drawn to the site like magnets, and unless the area is well protected, it could be a hazard.  You'll be able to guess the degree of the safety hazard based on how large, deep, etc the site is and whether it is fenced. 

The second most frequent complaint I hear about these ponds is that they draw insects. 

The bottom line:  I would make sure that you are getting some fairly significant pricing concessions on the home when you purchase it, simply because there is a perception issue at hand, and that will eventually affect you on the resale of the property.  That means that future buyers will have the same concerns that you are having about the retention pond, and (in order to sell the home) you may need to be less expensive than the houses that are farther away from the pond.