A white picket fence, spacious backyard, and pool are often considered the quintessential components of an American home. However, selling a house with a pool might not be as easy as you think.
Before you install that pool, take a moment to consider whether the pool will be considered a luxury item or an unnecessary expense to your target buyer.
According to HouseLogic a house with a pool can sell for 7 percent more if the perfect circumstances are achieved, i.e. you live in a warmer climate, every home in the neighborhood has a pool, your lot is big enough to accommodate a pool without getting rid of the entire yard, and the pool is in pristine condition.
With these factors in mind, there are a few things that you should consider when selling a house with a pool.
You’ll Need to Fix the Pool Before Selling the House
Before you can sell your home to a traditional buyer, you must first ensure that the pool is working properly and that it is one of the must-have features your buyers want to see in their future homes.
In fact, this is the first area where buyers might look at a pool as an unnecessary expense.
Buyers will likely need to hire an expert to inspect the pool, which means that they will have to spend additional funds during the buying process or ask you as the seller to shell out for a formal inspection.
If the pool has cracks or is otherwise damaged, then they might request that you fix the pool as part of the sale contract.
Regardless of whether you fix the pool for a buyer, or complete repairs before listing your home, a pool can inevitably eat away at your bottom line.
Take A Safety-First Approach
Selling a house with a pool will require you to take a safety-first approach. In fact, did you know that each state has specific pool safety guidelines? These guidelines are designed to keep families and pets safe.
For example, certain states require a fence to be constructed around a pool, while others specify how close the pool can be to the home and property lines.
Be sure to review your state’s specific pool safety guidelines, as well as the local building codes, so that you can make sure it is suitable for families with young children and pets.
Splurge On Poolscaping
Hiring a professional to maintain your pool can cost upwards of $3,000 per year, according to Cost Owl. This hefty price tag can be avoided if you take a DIY approach.
However, you will still need to spend time and funds making sure that your pool is clean, has the appropriate levels of chlorine (and other chemicals as needed), and that the filters are free of debris.
To make your pool truly appealing to buyers, you should consider splurging on “poolscaping.”
In other words, you will want to have visually appealing (and comfortable) tables, chairs, umbrellas, and chaise lounges by your pool. These items should also complement the surrounding pool landscaping.
For example, are the tiles surrounding the pool clean and crack free? Are trees and nearby shrubs properly trimmed to offer privacy without creating a safety hindrance from falling branches or leaves clogging the pool’s filters?
With a little poolscaping, you can improve your home’s curb appeal and help buyers envision themselves sitting back on a lazy summer day as they enjoy the luxury of a perfectly maintained pool.
Selling A House With A Pool In The Winter
Selling a house with a pool in the winter can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the market. If your home is in a warm climate, then buyers will appreciate the escape that your pool offers.
However, if your home is located in a colder climate, then many buyers will look at a pool and simply see the dollar signs associated with opening and closing the pool for the fall and winter seasons.
As a general rule of thumb, the best time to sell a house with a pool is typically the spring and summer.
What Will All This Cost?
Unfortunately, if you haven’t properly maintained your pool or your inspector finds major safety faults, you might discover that you are forced to spend upwards of $15,000+ redoing your pool.
In the worst case, you might have to rebuild the pool, which can cost more than $40,000.
The good news is that you can avoid the time and financially consuming tasks of selling a house with a pool by selling your home to HomeGo.
Avoid the stress and costs associated with pool staging, or the delays associated with finding a buyer in an offseason, when you sell your home (and pool!) as-is to HomeGo for a cash offer.
