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What Realtors Wish You Knew About Your Pool Before Selling Your Home

  • Feb 12, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 17


When you’re getting ready to sell your home, most of your focus goes inside: cleaning, staging, decluttering, painting.


But if you have a backyard pool, that sparkling blue water can be one of your home’s biggest selling points… or one of its biggest deal-breakers.


Before listing your home, here’s what Arizona realtors say every seller should know about their pool - and how to make sure it helps, not hurts, your sale.

1. First Impressions Matter - Keep the Pool Clean

“Dirty pools don’t sell,” says Arizona Realtor Kristi Kenney, eXp Realty. “If the pool has calcification, residue buildup, or other visible problems, it needs to be taken care of before listing.”

Buyers notice everything - from cloudy water to white calcium lines around the tile. A neglected pool can make potential buyers wonder what else around the property hasn’t been maintained.


Before listing:


  • Clean the pool thoroughly, including brushing and vacuuming

  • Remove stains, calcium deposits, and algae

  • Repair broken tiles or cracked plaster

  • Schedule a tile cleaning or acid wash if needed


A clean, sparkling pool instantly boosts curb appeal and can help your home stand out in Arizona’s competitive housing market.


2. Maintain the Pool Weekly While the Home Is Listed


Once your home hits the market, consistency is key.Leaves, dirt, or a few rocks on the bottom can make buyers second-guess how well the property’s been cared for.


Keep up with weekly cleaning and chemical balancing while your home is for sale. And right before each showing or open house:


  • Skim the surface

  • Empty the skimmer baskets

  • Brush the tile line

  • Make sure the pool equipment (pump, filter, and timer) is running properly


If you’re too busy managing moving tasks or showings, consider having a professional handle it. Sunset Pool Care offers weekly pool cleaning for sellers who want to keep their pool in top shape throughout the listing process.


3. Make Sure Your Pool Fence Meets Local Safety Codes


Every Arizona city has its own pool safety requirements, and they often come up during home inspections. That means if your pool fence, gate, or alarms don’t meet current code, it could delay your sale, or cost you money at closing.


Before listing:


  • Check local regulations in your city (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, etc.)

  • Ensure gates self-close and latch

  • Test door and window alarms leading to the pool area

  • Verify your pool fence height meets current code


Fixing these issues before the inspection avoids surprises later.


4. Consider a Professional Pool Evaluation Before Listing


Selling a home is stressful enough without worrying about what’s happening in your pool equipment pad. A professional pool evaluation can help you identify any problems before buyers or inspectors do.


A certified technician from Sunset Pool Care can:


  • Inspect your pool’s condition and equipment

  • Check for leaks or malfunctioning systems

  • Provide an honest assessment of what’s needed to make your pool “show ready”


This small step can help you avoid negotiation headaches and keep your closing process smooth.


Selling Your Home? Let Sunset Pool Care Help


Keeping your pool clean while juggling showings, inspections, and moving can feel overwhelming - but you don’t have to handle it alone.


At Sunset Pool Care, we help Arizona homeowners prepare their pools for market with:



Call 480-682-7986 or request a service online. We’ll make sure your pool looks its best so it helps your home sell faster and for top dollar.



 
 
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