A backyard pool is one of the features buyers ask about most in the Phoenix Valley. It can also be one of the more expensive parts of a home to repair. Here is what to check before you make an offer.
Private pool or community pool?
Many Valley neighborhoods have a community pool run by the HOA, and listing descriptions often mention it. If you want your own pool, look for the private pool field on the listing rather than the word "pool" in the description. Rony's pool searches use that field, so homes that only share a community pool are left out. Start with Phoenix homes with pools, Scottsdale homes with pools, or Mesa homes with pools.
Get the pool inspected
A general home inspection may only give the pool a quick look. A pool inspection goes further and usually covers:
- The pump, filter, and any heater or automation, including their age
- The plaster or pebble surface, tile, and coping
- Signs of leaks, such as cracks or a water level that drops faster than normal
- Gates, fencing, and drain covers
Ask the seller for service records and the age of the equipment. Replacing a pump or resurfacing a pool is a real cost, so it belongs in your budget and your negotiations.
Know the safety rules
Arizona law, A.R.S. 36-1681, sets enclosure rules for residential pools, including barrier height and self-closing, self-latching gates, with some exemptions. Many Valley cities have their own pool barrier codes as well, so check the rules for the city where the home is.
The same law requires a person selling a home with a pool to give the buyer a pool safety notice approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Read it, and plan any fencing or gate changes before move-in day.
Plan for the ongoing costs
- Weekly cleaning and chemicals, whether you do it yourself or hire a service
- Electricity for the pump, which runs year round
- Equipment repairs and replacement over time
- Resurfacing every so often, depending on the finish and how the pool was cared for
Call your insurance agent before you close. Ask how the pool affects your premium and how much liability coverage they recommend.
Search pool homes by city
Each city has a live list of homes with a private pool, updated from ARMLS through the day: Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, and Goodyear.
Questions about a specific home or neighborhood? Call or text Rony Elsayed at (602) 777-1860 or send a message.
