Realtor.com ® Data Shows the "Pool Premium" Is More Than a Pandemic Trend

According to Realtor.com data, while homes with pools still command higher listing prices than those without, the premium has softened from pandemic highs as the market shifts towards buyers. The price gap narrowed as buyers became more discerning, particularly in hot climates like the South and West, where pool prevalence is higher; Las Vegas saw the biggest increase in pool listings since 2019. Experts advise sellers to strategically price homes with pools, considering the current market's sensitivity to value and increased buyer options.

Analysis

The premium commanded by homes with pools in the U.S. housing market has moderated from its pandemic-era peak, according to Realtor.com data. While properties with pools still list at higher prices than those without—partially attributable to their typically larger size, with the current for-sale home with a pool being about 32.4% or 600 square feet larger—the percentage-based price gap has narrowed. This trend reflects a broader market shift from the hyper-competitive seller's conditions of 2022 to a more buyer-centric environment in 2025, granting buyers increased discernment and bargaining power. Consequently, the significant premiums once paid for amenities like pools have softened. This dynamic is particularly evident in warmer climates such as the South and West, where pools are more prevalent and housing inventory levels have seen a more substantial increase. For instance, the Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas metro area experienced a notable 26.9 percentage point rise in the share of listings with pools between 2019 and 2025, reaching 43.1%. Despite the softening premium, pools remain a valuable asset, but sellers are now advised by experts like Jones from Realtor.com to adopt strategic pricing that considers current market conditions, overall property attributes, and local market specifics, rather than relying solely on the presence of a pool to justify elevated prices.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors in residential real estate should adjust their valuation models to reflect the moderated premium for pools, factoring in the increased buyer leverage in the current market.
• Sellers, particularly in markets with a high and growing share of pool homes such as Las Vegas (which saw a 26.9% increase in pool home listings share since 2019), must adopt competitive pricing strategies as the 'pool premium' is no longer as robust as during the pandemic peak due to increased inventory and buyer selectivity.
• Consider that the normalization of amenity premiums may signal a broader trend of consumers reassessing discretionary spending on home features, potentially impacting sectors tied to home renovation and luxury upgrades.