In-ground pools are not always the best investment, as some potential buyers would rather not deal with the consistent maintenance they demand.
In Texas, however, it’s a different story. With steamy, sweltering Southern summers, home seekers marvel at the sight of a refreshing pool that could be all their own. In fact, in-ground pools in warm-weather areas can boost home values 6-8%.
While the pool is a major selling point, it won’t unfortunately do all the work on its own. If you want to sell your house with a pool in Texas, you should make sure to follow a set of steps for a smooth process and maximized value, or things might backfire.
Take note of the following tips we’ve listed below to sell your house with a pool in Texas:
1. Landscape the Surrounding Area
As a rule, you should highlight any special or unique features of your home. A pool is definitely on that list, so to make it truly shine, take care of not just the pool itself but its surrounding area. Hiring a landscaping company is great, but if you’re a savvy gardener, feel free to plant some trees or flowers yourself. If your yard is already landscaped, be sure to consistently keep up with maintenance to keep it in top shape.
2. Stage the Pool Area
Staging your home the right way is essential to attracting potential buyers. The goal is to have them easily imagine there own lives in the space. For the pool area, you can set the scene with pretty lawn chairs and an umbrella for a relaxing resort vibe right in the backyard.
3. Save Maintenance Records
It’s great to showcase an attractive, well-kept pool. It’s even better to back that up with a solid history. Generally, potential buyers will want to see all the paperwork of the property’s maintenance history to get a full grasp on what they’re signing up for. If you’ve kept up with maintenance and repairs and have the documents to prove it, more power (and money) to you.
4. Hire a Pool Inspector
To sell your house with a pool in Texas, it’s best to get it inspected and in shape for the next owner. Home inspectors are useful for the rest of your house, but pool professionals will know exactly what damages to look for in the pool itself. In particular, these two:
- Surface Cracks are superficial and nothing to worry about other than the overall aesthetic.
- Structural Cracks indicate a more serious problem, that the pool is or might start leaking.
Keep in mind that in Texas you must legally disclose all the conditions of your property that you’re aware of prior to the sale.
5. Sell in the Summer
People can appreciate owning a pool anytime, but selling the little backyard oasis while the weather is hot is particularly enticing to sweaty buyers eager to jump into the cool water. Selling your home in the summer is already advised, so adding a pool to the mix will attract more buyers and boost bids.
6. Set Up a Fence
Depending on your market, you may have families with children interested in buying your property. If so, installing a fence around the pool will increase safety and ease a worried parent.
Call United Home Offer
If you’re trying to sell your house with a pool in Texas, the above steps are all just suggestions. You could, in fact, choose to not plan or care for anything at all, simply winging the process and hoping for the best (FYI- we don’t advise this). Otherwise, you can call us at United Home Offer. We’ll give you a fast cash offer no matter what condition your pool is in or how much paperwork is mysteriously missing.