From $0 to . . . . Infinite

At least in frigid Minnesota, an in-ground pool can be a waste of a perfectly good backyard 8-9 months of the year.

Unless, of course, the backyard happens to sit on a third or half-acre, in which case there’s plenty of room left over for swingsets, playing ball, etc.

Even when that’s the case, though, backyard pools at this latitude are likely a net negative for home values.

I attribute that to two other issues:  1) safety concerns, particularly for families with small children; and 2) the associated maintenance headache and expense.

Estimated Discount

So, how much do you discount for a pool?

It all depends on the Buyer.

I’ve worked with some clients who simply won’t consider a home with a backyard pool; I suppose for those Buyers, the discount would technically be infinite.

At the other extreme, some Buyers seek out a home with a pool.

But they’re a definite minority.

Net everything out, and I’d estimate the average pool discount is about $25,000 — or a little more than it would likely cost to fill it in.

P.S.:  The other discount question besides “how much?” is “when?”

At least in Minnesota, you’d guess that that $25,000 gets bigger in October and shrinks in April.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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