Meet The Forkenbrock Group

Are Private Pools Worth the Maintenance and Cost in Chandler Homes? A backyard pool is one of the most common upgrade questions Chandler homeowners ask about, and one of the most common features buyers weigh when comparing homes. Here is what a pool actually costs to build and maintain, what it adds at resale, and Chandler's specific safety rules. Building a new pool in Arizona is a significant investment. A concrete inground pool typically runs $40,000 to $120,000, and a fiberglass pool runs $55,000 to $110,000, depending on size, finish, and features. Decking, landscaping, a shade structure, and safety fencing are usually additional costs layered on top of that base price. Ongoing maintenance is where a lot of buyers underestimate the real cost of pool ownership. Professional pool service in the Phoenix area generally runs $100 to $250 a month for full cleaning and chemicals, and total annual costs, once electricity for pumps and equipment is included, commonly land between roughly $3,000 and $6,000 a year. Arizona's long swim season and intense sun tend to push costs toward the higher end of national ranges. On resale value, a pool can help, particularly in homes priced above about $500,000, where pools are common and buyers often expect one. Estimates suggest a well-maintained pool can add roughly 5 to 8 percent to a home's value, which works out to about $35,000 to $56,000 on a $700,000 home. Most pools do not fully recoup their original construction cost at resale, so the value case is stronger for maintaining an existing pool than for building a new one purely to sell. Chandler's safety rules are worth knowing whether you already own a pool or are considering a home with one. Arizona generally requires a primary barrier at least five feet tall, but Chandler requires a six-foot barrier made of masonry, concrete, or decorative fencing, stricter than many neighboring cities. Secondary barriers, such as a self-closing, self-latching door to the backyard, are also required. Violations on a completed or existing pool can bring penalties up to $1,000 per violation, so confirming a pool's compliance matters for both current owners and buyers. Pool surfaces do not last forever either. A plaster interior typically needs to be redone after about 10 to 12 years, while a pebble interior typically lasts about 15 to 18 years before it needs resurfacing. In the Chandler area, a pool remodel or resurfacing project commonly costs in the range of $5,700 to $13,000, depending on the scope of the work. In most cases, buying a home with a well-maintained existing pool is the more cost-effective path, since building a new pool rarely returns its full cost at resale. When evaluating a home with an existing pool, focus on the condition of the plaster or pebble finish, the age of the equipment, and whether the barrier and fencing meet current Chandler code. Considering a Chandler home with a pool, or weighing whether to add one to your current backyard? I would be glad to walk through the real cost and value tradeoffs for your specific situation. Dawn Forkenbrock, Chandler Realtor w/ Real Broker

Buyers notice EVERYTHING. And sometimes it’s the smallest things that make them start questioning the entire house. 1. Dirty toilets or sinks. If there’s a ring around the toilet or the sink looks like it hasn’t seen a bottle of CLR since 2019, buyers notice. 2. Furry air vents. If there’s enough dust and pet hair hanging from the vents to give them their own hairstyle, buyers are immediately wondering what the inside of the HVAC looks like. 3. Sticky cabinets. If buyers touch a cabinet and feel like they need to wash their hands afterward, they’re now noticing every other surface in the house. 4. Mystery smells. If buyers walk in and immediately start sniffing the air trying to figure out WHAT that smell is, you’ve already lost their attention from the house. 5. Water stains on ceilings or walls. The leak could have been fixed 10 years ago, but leave that brown stain on the ceiling and buyers are suddenly convinced the roof is actively leaking and the house is full of mold. One thing by itself is probably not a huge deal but when buyers start seeing multiple signs that a home hasn’t been maintained, their brain immediately goes to: “If this is what I can see… what CAN’T I see? and suddenly little things that could have been cleaned, painted or fixed before listing feel like much bigger problems. You don’t need a perfect house to sell. But you definitely don’t want buyers walking through looking for reasons to worry. If you're thinking about selling a house in Arizona, message me to set up a mini consultation and save this post for future reference. Dawn Forkenbrock, Queen Creek Realtor w/ Real Broker #homesellingtips #arizonarealtor #sellingahouse

You know you live in Queen Creek when you know a train can completely change your plans and you’ve accepted that every empty field will eventually become either a new neighborhood, a Dutch Bros, or another car wash. You complain about all the growth but also get a little excited every time you hear something new is coming to town. Just a few of the unwritten rules and local quirks that make Queen Creek, Queen Creek. Queen Creek locals… what would you add to the list? 👇🏼 #queencreek #queencreekaz #queencreekrealtor #livinginqueencreek