Do you have a listing with a pool? Well, you better be ready to answer some questions about it. The demand for pools has seen a slight decrease over recent years, which means you need to be even more prepared to answer any and all questions prospective buyers may have. It is now more important than ever to know the history of your listings pool.

Being fully prepared for these questions can help to build trust with buyers, as well as potentially enticing them with the pool’s history. So, what questions should you be ready to answer about pools? Take a look at our advice below.

Does it Meet HOA Standards?

One of the most critical bits of information about the pool is whether or not it has been approved by the Homeowner’s Association. If the pool has been approved by the HOA, you’ll want to have documents on hand that you can use to verify its approval. After all, both homes and pools are large investments—buyers want to know what they’re getting into.

What about Insurance?

You’ll want to be able to answer any questions about the pool’s classification under the homeowner’s insurance policy. Pools are generally treated as miscellaneous structures on most insurance plans and in order for any accidents involving them to be covered, the homeowner needs to have liability coverage.

You might want to provide some printed materials that detail how all different structures on the property are generally treated by insurance providers in order to convey the information as clearly as possible. The homebuyer will typically appreciate your preparedness, which can help further establish trust.

Previous Work?

Buyers aren’t just interested in a pool’s aesthetics, but also the durability and quality of build. They want to know the previous work performed on the pool, as this information may shed light on future repairs and maintenance costs.

You can’t control the listing and pool’s history, but you should still be prepared to provide straight answers to buyers’ questions. A lack of knowledge on your part may present a red flag to the prospective buyer or their agent, which may negatively affect the relationship between buyer and seller.

Builder?

You’ll want to be able to let your buyer know the organization—or builder—responsible for the pool’s construction, as this allows for due diligence on the pool’s quality. Depending on the public track record of the organization that put the pool together, buyers might be more convinced of its value and more comfortable with their perspective on the property as a whole.

What Chemicals Have Been Used?

You’ll want to know about the chemicals that have been previously used in the pool. This is a serious investment and may be ruined without a proper knowledge of the chemicals that have historically been used in it. Knowing the use of chemicals over previous years is essential for proper maintenance and upkeep, as well as ensuring the chemicals used won’t cause harm to the pool itself.

Maintenance Cost?

Buyers know that pools don’t come free; however, they may not have an accurate representation of all costs associated with pool ownership. Is the pool heated? What kind of equipment does it use and how much energy is consumed per month? What other monthly costs are associated with this particular pool?

If you want to earn more credibility points in the eyes of your most curious buyers, look into how the regional environment affects the chlorine content of the pool. Most maintenance companies mainly work more to manage chlorine levels than to outright clean the pool, so by letting the homeowner know how the local geography and weather impacts the pool’s need for regular chlorine adjustment, you’ll be giving them a clearer picture of what their upkeep cost is actually paying for.