Pool Premium More Than a Pandemic Trend
Today, buyers are likely to be more discerning and less willing to pay as much of a premium for a home with a pool than during the pandemic.
AUSTIN, Texas — As Memorial Day kicks off the summer season, a new analysis of Realtor.com listing data finds that while the pandemic-driven surge in swimming pool premiums has subsided, pools still command a significant price advantage, and the share of listings featuring pools reached an all-time high this April.
As of April 2025, the price premium for a home with a pool stands at 54%, and the share of listings with pools reached an all-time high of 24.4%, with 333,000 homes featuring a pool, the highest number since March 2019. While this premium is down from the peak in January 2022, when the typical home with a pool boasted a 61% price premium, it is still a significant advantage.
"During the pandemic, people were looking for ways to get more enjoyment out of their homes, and this surge in demand for features like pools, translated into a substantial 'pool premium,' where homes featuring a pool commanded significantly higher asking prices compared to their pool-less counterparts," said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst, Realtor.com. "This trend peaked in January 2022, and although price premiums have normalized, the presence of a pool continues to drive a premium and be a popular item to include in listings as a home or community feature."
Do pools drive higher listing prices?
Both homes with and without pools have seen substantial price increases since 2019. In 2019, the typical listing price for a home with a pool was $415,000. So far in 2025, the typical home with a pool was listed for $599,000, shy of the June 2024 peak of $599,900, but paving the way for near-record-high prices for homes with a pool later this summer when prices typically hit their annual peak. This upward trajectory underscores the overall appreciation of home values. Homes without a pool saw prices climb from $274,000 in 2019 to $389,000 in April 2025 (+42.0%), just lagging the appreciation of homes with a pool (+44.3%).
Some of this trend may be attributed to the fact that homes with pools are generally larger than those without. Currently, the typical for-sale home with a pool is about 32.4%, or 600 square feet, larger than one without. In April 2025, the median price- per-square- foot of a home with a pool was $247, compared to $204 for a home without a pool. In April 2019, pool price- per-square- foot for a home with a pool was $162 and without a pool was $135.
While prices have climbed across the board, the price gap between homes with and without pools, in percentage terms, has narrowed from its pandemic highs. According to Jones, "This doesn't necessarily mean pools are less valuable, but rather that the market's premium specifically for this amenity has softened."
The shift in market dynamics from a hyper-competitive seller's market in 2022 to a more buyer-friendly environment in 2025 is a crucial factor influencing the pool premium. In 2022, buyers were often willing to pay a premium for desirable amenities in a market characterized by limited inventory and intense competition. Today, with more options available, buyers are likely to be more discerning and less willing to pay as much of a premium for a home with a pool. Consequently, sellers are adjusting their pricing expectations for homes with this feature.
Where are pools most common?
Pools tend to be most popular in hot climates like the South and the West, where inventory levels have picked up more significantly than in their cooler counterparts, which could be driving the share of listings with a pool higher, as well.
This year, Miami, Phoenix, Orlando, Fla., Austin, Texas and Tampa, Fla., boast the highest share of homes listed with a swimming pool. Las Vegas, Houston, Nashville, Tenn., Indianapolis and Miami have seen the biggest increases in pool listings since 2019. Many of the metros that have seen the biggest increases in pool listings also have seen substantial new construction activity over the past six years, suggesting strong correlation between new development and the increasing availability of homes with pools, either private or within community amenity packages.
2025 and beyond – pools remain an asset; strategic pricing is key
While the extraordinary price premiums associated with swimming pools during the pandemic have softened, pools continue to be a valuable asset in the housing market. Homes with pools still command a significant price advantage over those without, both in absolute terms and on a price-per-square-foot basis.
"Sellers should be mindful of the evolving market dynamics and avoid overpricing their properties based solely on the presence of a pool," said Jones. "The market is more sensitive to value today, and buyers have more choices. A strategic pricing approach that considers the current, more moderate pool premium, the size and overall condition of the home, and the specific characteristics of the local market is essential for a successful sale."
Source: Realtor.com
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