Does A Pool Add Value or Just Extra Work for Buyers
You’re probably getting ready to say goodbye to your pool for the season: thoroughly cleaning, balancing water chemistry, adding winterizing chemicals, lowering the water level, draining equipment… I could go on, but you get it.
Few home features spark as much debate as a backyard swimming pool. Some buyers see it as the ultimate summer luxury. Others see nothing but maintenance bills and safety hazards. So, does a pool actually add value to your home in Northern Virginia, or is it just extra work for buyers?
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Curious how your pool impacts your home’s value? Let’s talk strategy.
Contact me HERE. Now Let’s dive in.
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Cost vs. Market Value: The Numbers Don’t Always Match
Installation Costs: In Northern Virginia, installing an in-ground pool typically runs $60,000–$100,000+, depending on size, design, and landscaping extras. Heated systems, waterfalls, and decking push the cost higher.
Ongoing Expenses: Homeowners also face $1,200–$2,500 per year in maintenance, chemicals, openings/closings, and occasional repairs. Insurance premiums will tick up as well.
Resale Value Boost: On average, pools in this region add 5–7% to resale value in the right conditions. That means a $900,000 home may gain $45,000–$63,000 in perceived value.
Translation: A pool rarely pays for itself purely in dollars. The real “value” is lifestyle-driven, not financial.
Historical Trends in Northern Virginia
1970s–1990s: Backyard pools were considered status symbols, especially in larger suburban neighborhoods. But upkeep quickly revealed itself as a burden in our four-season climate.
2000s: The trend shifted as more buyers prioritized open green yards for kids and pets. Pools, unless meticulously maintained, often hurt resale potential. Many sat unused for most of the year.
Today: Pools are back in demand, but selectively. Luxury homes in communities like Great Falls, McLean, and parts of Gainesville or Haymarket may see buyers viewing a pool as a bonus. In mid-priced neighborhoods, however, a pool can still shrink the buyer pool (pun absolutely intended) because many families see it as more work than fun.
When a Pool Helps vs. When It Hurts
Helps:
Luxury price point homes ($1M+) where buyers expect resort-style amenities.
Properties with large lots where the pool doesn’t swallow up the entire backyard.
Well-maintained, modern pools with updated equipment and safe fencing.
Hurts:
Modest neighborhoods where buyers aren’t expecting a pool.
Smaller lots where the pool eliminates usable yard space.
Older or neglected pools that feel like a looming project.
The Smart Seller’s Perspective
If you already own a pool:
Keep it sparkling and well-maintained before listing.
Stage your backyard like a resort retreat, showing buyers the lifestyle, not the work.
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed 95% of the value of that pool!
If you’re considering installing a pool strictly for resale:
OBVIOUSLY, don’t! You will NOT recoup the full cost in Northern Virginia’s market.
Build YOUR pool for YOUR enjoyment. Installing a pool requires 2-6+ months (depending on pool structure).
Instead, invest in upgrades buyers consistently value—kitchens, baths, and outdoor living spaces.
Final Word
Personally, I saw the headache my cousin went through in building his pool in a luxury-home neighborhood. He will never recover those costs. But he plans to live in that home for decades.
In Northern Virginia, a pool isn’t an automatic value booster. For the right buyer in the right price point, it can tip the scales in your favor. But for many others, it’s just an expensive hole in the ground that eats up time and money.
If you’re thinking about selling, the key is positioning: highlight your pool as an amenity while also showcasing the rest of your property’s strengths.
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Curious how your pool impacts your home’s value? Let’s talk strategy.
Contact me HERE. Now, Let’s Go Get It!
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