Does a pool add value to your house?
Some experts say a pool can boost your list price by as much as 7%, depending on its age, condition, and location. Homeowners spend an average of $1,600 to $30,000 to remodel pools, with costs rising when adding features like slides, waterfalls, or enclosures.
Whether that investment pays off isn’t always clear-cut. In some markets, a stunning, well-maintained pool can attract buyers and add noticeable value, while in others, it may be seen as extra maintenance or expense. Ultimately, the impact of a pool on your home’s value depends on your local market, the quality of the pool, and the tastes of prospective buyers.
The top five states with the highest number of pools are:
- Florida
- California
- Texas
- Arizona
- New York
Depending on your price range, a pool can be an expected amenity. Ivory Cooks, a top-selling Miami agent, said that most of the homes that sold in the $1 to 2 million range in Miami Beach had pools.
According to Cooks, pools have gone from being just fun spots for kids to becoming a key feature for his clients. Homeowners love to entertain and want the perfect space for hosting events and gatherings. They prefer an outdoor area that feels like part of the home.
Even if you’re in a more modest price range of, say, about $350,000, “most of those homes are going to have a pool because it’s pretty standard once you get past a certain point,” Ryczek said.
“If it’s a newer pool, say, within the last five to seven years, you’re able to get a little better value. But I’ve seen older homes, 25- to 30- year old homes, where … sales haven’t really been much more than $12,000 to $14,000 more than what the non-pool homes have sold for.”
5 tips for selling a house with a pool
A pool can add more than just potential value to your home, as it can also make your listing more appealing to buyers. For many people, buying a home is about more than square footage and features. They’re picturing summer days by the pool, backyard barbecues, and the lifestyle that comes with it.
A well-staged pool that sparks visions of a refreshing dip on a hot day or a relaxing deckside space that can host friends and family. These carefully crafted daydreams can have a big impact on how your home shows, if you’re willing to put in the effort to make them come to life. In short, a pool isn’t just a feature. It’s a stage for buyers’ imagination.
