dear realtors,
9/25/20263 min read
Dear Realtors,
Can we have a little heart-to-heart about AI-generated pool images in home listings? I’m saying this with nothing but love because I work with Realtors often, and I completely understand why these images are appealing. They help buyers visualize the potential of a backyard—and when used appropriately, visualization is a really powerful sales tool.
But there’s something I’m seeing on the other side of the transaction that I think is worth talking about.
My 9-to-5 career is swimming pool design and sales, so I meet with homeowners every day to discuss what they’d like to build in their backyard. More and more, I’m meeting with people who have recently purchased a home and excitedly pull up an AI-generated pool rendering from the home’s HAR listing.
And sometimes I have to be the person who tells them that what they were shown isn’t actually possible on their property.
That’s where I think we need to be a little more careful with AI.
The problem is that an AI-generated image is not the same thing as a properly planned pool design.
And yes, as you can probably tell, I use AI too. I love AI! It’s an amazing tool when it’s used properly.
But there’s an important difference in how I use it. Before AI ever touches an image, I put the property and survey into professional design software. I map out easements and setbacks. I consider elevations, utilities, access, local requirements, state codes, safety considerations, and the actual dimensions of the property. Then AI comes into play to make the renderings look more realistic.
When you simply take a picture of a backyard and tell AI, “Put a pool in this yard,” it doesn’t necessarily know that there’s a 10-foot utility easement running across the property. It doesn’t know the required setbacks. It may not understand elevation changes, drainage, access, safety requirements, or the permitting rules for that particular jurisdiction.
It can create something that looks absolutely beautiful—and may be completely impossible to build.
I recently met with a client who had just purchased a beautiful new home. The HAR listing included an AI-generated image showing a gorgeous pool with a sunken fire pit area. He was excited.
The yard was tight, but based on that image, he believed there was enough room to create something similar. Then we looked at the actual property constraints.
There was a 10-foot utility easement.
Could he still have a pool? Yes, potentially—a smaller one. Could he have the large pool and sunken fire pit arrangement shown in the listing, with the fire pit area roughly 24 inches from the back property-line fence? No.
That was a tough realization because creating a beautiful backyard was something he had envisioned when purchasing the home. That is where AI-only designs become concerning.
A conceptual image can easily be interpreted by a buyer as an example of what is actually possible on that specific property—even when no professional has verified that it can be built.
And because I work in sales, of course I’d love the opportunity to provide these services myself. I’ve intentionally made the Realtor side of my design services affordable, and for Realtors local to me, I’ve structured it so the relationship can be financially beneficial for both of us.
But this really isn’t just a sales pitch for me.
If you don’t use my services, that’s completely fine. Reach out to a reputable pool builder or professional designer in your area. There are likely professionals near you who would be happy to help with a concept or, at minimum, review the property and tell you what is realistically possible.
AI is an incredible visualization tool. But visualization and feasibility are two very different things.
If you’re going to show potential buyers what a backyard could become, please consider having a professional verify the concept first.
Your buyers—and the pool professional who meets with them after closing—will thank you.
I hope you can see where I’m coming from, and I’m always happy to chat if you have questions.
Thank you,
Danielle