Jay's Phoenix Area Real Estate (and more...)

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How Much Does a Pool add to the Value of My Home?

We get this question all the time. Here's the bottom line...

Having a swimming pool built is not cheap. If you spend $20,000 on a pool, it will not add $20,000 to the value of your home. Sadly, it may add nothing to the value of your home. Don't add a pool to your home if you expect to recoup the cost upon sale. It just doesn't work that way. Add a pool to your home because you want a pool. A pool is an outstanding investment in terms of recreation, fun, enjoyment, enhancing the appearance of your back yard and it provides great exercise. (In Phoenix, having a pool may mean being able to survive the summers comfortably!) There are dozens of great reasons to have a pool, but adding value to your home isn't one of them.

(I should note that what I say above pertains to the Phoenix area. The reason it's this way here is because so many homes have pools. In some parts of the country, a pool is rare and does add a premium to a home.)

What a pool can do is help you sell the home when the time comes. MANY people home shopping in Phoenix want a pool. We've had clients look at homes they loved but didn't buy because there wasn't a pool. Having an existing pool appeals to many home buyers. But note that there are some who don't want a pool and won't look at your house because it has one.

For more questions and answers like this, please visit The Real Estate FAQ 

9 comments • Jay & Francy Thompson • July 15 2006 04:40PM

Comments

 In the Denver metro area, if you have a pool you may have an extremely hard time selling it.  I've had listings where the seller had to remove the pool in order to sell it.

Once again this proves real estate is local. 

Posted by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) over 3 years ago
But couldn't you market that Denver pool in the winter as a personal ice rink?  :) 
Posted by Jay & Francy Thompson (Thompson's Realty) over 3 years ago
No, not really.  It may be hard to believe, but Denver is really not that cold in the winter.  We save all the cold and snow for the mountains.  That where it belongs!!  :)
Posted by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors) over 3 years ago
Sorry for the hijack...but way back in time when I was applying for colleges, University of Denver was at the top of my list (Hotel/Toursim mgt).  But that winter there was a blizzard and the airport was shut  down.  I quickly crossed Denver off my list (I was in Honolulu at the time).
Posted by Ben Kakimoto - Seattle Condo Specialist (John L. Scott - Seattle | Belltown) over 3 years ago
In Florida you can go swimming year round so it's usually a big plus to have a pool. The only time it's not is if someone doesn't want to take the time to maintain it. Kristal, that's interesting what you said about the seller having to remove to pool! I've never heard of that!!!
Posted by Roxanne & Shannon Moore-Realtors, North Port FL (Re/Max Anchor Realty) over 3 years ago
In Minnesota pools are only a benefit to the person who put it in.  Ther is limited buyer interest in resale homes.  However it's interested that Maple Grove has the most permits for pools this year.  Go figure!
Posted by Donna Quanrud Realtor® Minnetonka Minnesota Fine Homes (Coldwell Banker Burnet) over 3 years ago
In Florida pools are an expected amenities. A home without one is much slower to sell.  Certainly if you put in a $70,000 pool package you won't get your money back, but if you put in an average to slightly above average pool, you'll certainly get it back. The next question is "is there room for a pool" and if there isn't, it's a kiss of death because the buyer is concerned about their resale!  Most buyers just don't want to deal with the angst of putting a pool in.
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) over 3 years ago

A pool is an added ammenity for entertainment, recreation & comfort purposes as well aesthetics. Family & friends enjoy the pool, especially in those very hot climates. Great for getting your daily exercise. The investment is returned in enjoyment. In Southern AZ a well cared for home with a pool is sold in short time. Old homes with old non cared pools are a hard sell. No one wants the problems. On some occasions, the pool is filled/covered in soil to complete the sale.

Posted by Diana Corrales, ABR Associate Broker over 2 years ago

On average, the starting price for a high-quality fiberglass pool is around $15,000.This you may recoop over time. And the time to install is greatly reduced. Way better than the higt cost of standard concrete pools.

David

Posted by David Salvato (David home Inspection Service) 2 months ago

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