“Pool premiums” for US homes have taken a dive

After making waves during the pandemic, in-ground backyard pools have increasingly fallen out of style for US homeowners, according to a new Realtor.com report.

While homes with pools still command a significantly higher amount than comparable homes sold without them, the typical asking price boost is now ~21%—down from a peak of 26% in 2022.

The pool party is getting crowded

Analysts say the dip is tied to a model that all high-school economics students are familiar with: supply and demand.

• In 2022, in a housing market with fewer available listings and intense competition, more buyers were willing to pay top-dollar for amenities like outdoor pools.
• Today, however, buyers have far more options from which to choose. The US housing market boasted a record ~500,000 more sellers than buyers in April, while a record 24.4% of overall home listings offered a pool.

Big picture: Backyard pools still remain a hot commodity. The median listing price for US homes with a pool stood at $599,000 in April, compared to $389,000 for a pool-free home, Realtor.com found—though houses with pools tend to be larger and sit in pricier neighborhoods across US states with hotter climates, like California, Florida, and Texas.