For years, the conventional wisdom about swimming pools was that they were pretty much a wash when it came to resale value. Pun intended.
Some buyers wanted one. Others saw maintenance, higher utility bills, and a backyard they would rather use for something else. The advice to homeowners was usually straightforward: build a pool because you want to enjoy it, but don’t expect to recover everything you spend when you sell.
That advice still has merit. But COVID changed how people thought about their homes, and buyers who want a pool have good reasons to pay more for a house that already has one.
COVID Changed the Way We Look at Our Backyards
When travel slowed and families spent more time at home, outdoor space took on new importance. People wanted somewhere to relax, entertain their kids, and spend time with friends without having to leave the house.
A swimming pool checked a lot of those boxes.
Realtor.com research documented an increase in asking-price premiums for homes with pools during the pandemic. Those premiums have since moderated, so it would be an overstatement to say the pandemic’s peak pricing has lasted everywhere. But the research illustrates how strongly buyers responded to having a pool at home.
For buyers who already know they want one, an existing pool can still be a major selling point.
Buyers Know What It Would Cost to Build One
Once buyers start getting pool quotes, they often look at homes with existing pools a little differently.
There is much more to the project than the pool itself. Depending on the property and design, the budget may include:
- Decking and patio space
- A spa, heater, or water features
- Electrical work and pool equipment
- Drainage and yard repairs
- Fencing and landscaping
The backyard they pictured can become a substantial construction project.
That changes the comparison between two otherwise similar houses. A home without a pool might have a lower asking price, but a buyer planning to install one has to consider the total cost of getting the home they actually want.
Paying substantially more for a house with a well-maintained pool can make sense to that buyer if building something comparable would cost even more.
There Is Value in Having It Finished
Money is only part of the calculation.
Building a pool means making design decisions, choosing a contractor, working through approvals, and living with construction in the backyard. Buyers also have to consider when the project could be completed.
With an existing pool, they can see the finished product before they buy. They know how much yard remains, where the afternoon sun hits, and whether the patio has enough room for their table and grill.
And once they move in, they can use it.
For a family hoping to spend the summer swimming, that convenience can carry real weight.
In North Texas, a Pool Can Be Part of Everyday Life
Here in McKinney and across North Texas, it is easy to understand the appeal. During our long, hot summers, a pool can become one of the most frequently used parts of a home.
It might mean an evening swim after work, a place for the kids and their friends to gather, or a weekend spent in the backyard instead of loading everyone into the car.
For some buyers, a pool is a nice bonus. For others, it is on the must-have list alongside a home office, another bedroom, or a three-car garage.
The buyers who want a pool are often the ones most aware of what it would cost to add one. That is why an existing pool deserves more consideration than simply calling it a wash.
Not Every Pool Adds the Same Value
Of course, having a pool does not automatically justify any price a seller chooses.
Condition matters. A clean, inviting pool with well-maintained equipment is different from one that needs resurfacing, has questionable equipment, or leaves buyers wondering about repairs.
The overall backyard matters, too. Buyers may consider whether there is room to entertain, space for pets, shade, and enough usable yard for their needs.
Then there is the neighborhood. The value a pool contributes depends on the home’s price range, competing listings, and comparable sales. What a motivated buyer is willing to pay and what an appraisal supports may also differ.
There will always be buyers who prefer a home without a pool. The goal is to price the property appropriately and reach the buyers who appreciate what it offers.
Should You Build a Pool Before Selling?
Recognizing the appeal of an existing pool does not mean installing one right before listing is a good investment.
A pool can help a home sell for more without returning every dollar it cost to build. Those two things can both be true.
If you plan to stay for years and your family will use it regularly, the enjoyment is part of the decision. If you expect to sell soon, it is worth reviewing neighborhood sales before committing to a major backyard project.
For buyers, the same thinking works in reverse: if a pool is a priority, compare the price of a home that already has one with the full cost of buying another home and adding it later.
Buying or Selling a Home With a Pool? Talk to TRG.
At Tye Realty Group, we help buyers and sellers look at how features like swimming pools affect a home’s appeal and price here in McKinney and the surrounding North Texas communities.
If you are selling, we can help you evaluate comparable sales and showcase the backyard to buyers who will appreciate it. If you are buying, we can help you compare homes with your priorities and overall budget in mind.
Whether a pool is on your wish list or already in your backyard, connect with Tye Realty Group to talk about your next move.