While pools are unique in many U.S. areas, they’re more common in Fla. In some South Fla. metros, 3 out of 4 homes offer a swimming pool in the backyard.

NEW YORK – During the pandemic, it became even cooler to have a swimming pool, and they’ve been in demand since the COVID-19 outbreak.

But for real estate, pools haven’t always been a slam-dunk moneymaker. Real estate pros express mixed opinions on the value they add to a home, especially given their high price tag. Porch.com, a home improvement resource, analyzed how a swimming pool can impact the price of a home in the 500 largest cities across the U.S.

Overall, homes with pools tend to be more expensive than those without. A home with a swimming pool was worth, on average, 47% more than a home that didn’t have one, according to the study. However, a home with a pool also tends to be a bit more upscale than one without one anyway.

In some cities, the premium is much higher. New York, for example, boasts the highest pool premium in the country. If you want a home with a pool in the Big Apple, the average cost is six times the price of an average home.

Florida is a bit unique. Thanks to year-round warm weather and its retirement appeal, a relatively high percentage of homes come with a pool. As a result, a home seller’s advantage can vary widely.

Of the top 10 cities with pools based on the percentage of homes, eight out of 10 are in Florida, with Boca Raton, Miami and Fort Lauderdale topping the list:

1. Boca Raton: 74% of homes have a pool
2. Miami: 70%
3. Fort Lauderdale: 69%
4. Hollywood: 67%
5. Pompano Beach: 67%
6. Sunrise: 66%
7. Irvine, Calif.: 65%
8. Davie: 63%
9. Mission Viejo, Calif.: 62%
10. Clearwater: 62%

Meanwhile, some U.S. cities have few pools, including Anchorage, Alaska (2%); Lincoln, Neb. (2%); Pueblo, Colo. (2%); and Lancaster, Calif. (2%).

Highest and lowest “pool premiums”

The following U.S. cities have the highest “pool premium” – the average price of a home with a pool compared as a percentage to the average home price in the city:

1. New York (548% pool premium)
2. Youngstown, Ohio (458%)
3. Columbus, Ga. (446%)
4. Birmingham, Ala. (437%)
5. Jackson, Miss. (413%)
6. San Angelo, Texas (358%)
7. Atlanta (328%)
8. Dayton, Ohio (327%)
9. Los Angeles (305%)
10. Monroe, La. (302%)

On the other hand, these cities have the lowest “pool premium”:

1. Sunnyvale, Calif. (–54%)
2. Eau Claire, Wis. (–51%)
3. Santa Clara, Calif. (–36%)
4. Bellingham, Wash. (–36%)
5. Ontario, Calif. (–32%)
6. Westminster, Calif. (–29.%)
7. Huntington Beach, Calif. (–25%)
8. Garden Grove, Calif. (–23%)
9. Santa Ana, Calif. (–22%)
10. Eugene, Ore. (–17%)

Source: “Most and Least Expensive Cities to Buy a Home With a Pool,” Porch.com (May 24, 2021)

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