No one puts in a pool just to add value, you install a pool because you love pools, love to swim, love the patio or deck. An inground pool adds value but to those who also love pools. A AG pool can be easily taken down if the buyer hates it

If someone wants a pool when looking at homes, its a plus. If they don't want one, than the home is often "ruled out" of contention.

 pools are a matter of personal taste. Some want them some don't.

Depends on your market.  In Northern VA, they don't add any value.  Of course, in some markets like Florida or California, not having would take away value.  I'd say, if you aren't going to use it, why risk losing the investment of doing it?

It depend on the state, if you have to winterize the pool, it can be a pain.

1. Is it popular to have an in ground pool?

2. What is the difference between pool vs non-pool. Run a CMA on it.

3. What is the cost to maintain? You used solar to heat?

Our pool is filled as garden. The water, chemical and electricity for empty nest is cost prohibitive.

4. Here is CA as warm temperature as we have. People prefer to go to public pool or someone else pool as it is not popular anymore. Several homes do not sell and owners offer to fill the pool up.  

5. One acre lot is not excessively large you can have a tennis court, basketball court. If you spend $75K on the pool I do not believe it will worth $75K more....

Sam Shueh

Ellen - Sounds like you really don't need or want a pool, so I would suggest not having one installed, even though it seems like you could easily afford the taxes, etc.

I don't think adding a pool would add as much value to the home as it might cost to build, so let the new owners put in a pool after you sell the home.

Pools will add value to people who want a pool. Most people have pools because they want them and use them. Adding a pool to increase value I feel may be a losing proposition.

Depends on the neighborhood.  

I wouldn't advise a seller in my market to install a pool before putting it on the market.  

I do not think it will add value. It may have fewer potential  buyers when you decide to sell.

Good morning Ellen. They add value for a buyer that wants a pool to the others, it has no value.

Ellen, I lived in four houses while growing up.  One had a community pool, one we put in a gorgeous custom pool with a stone waterfall and a dark bottom and the final one came with a generic pool.  We used the pool MAYBE 3 times a year... if that!  I will never buy a house with a pool, the maintenance is a pain and the usage is low.

Do pools add value, yes and usually more than the cost of the pool in my experience.  Will you eliminate certain buyers, most definitely!

My advice: Don't add a pool for resale unless you live in an area where you are the ONLY home without one.  My investor turned down a house because it literally was the ONLY house in that neighborhood without a pool and they would have had to put one in just to be comparable.

Let someone design the pool they want.  I can tell you, going from the house with the amazing tropical backyard and spa with a slate stone faced waterfall with good sized rocks too, to a generic lap pool was a huge downer.  Let someone design the pool of their dreams and not force them into some cookie cutter pool.

Ellen Caruso - not so much in our area, The pool is closed for more than half-the-year for us in MA...

I live in CO and pools aren't common in my particular market. I can't answer that question. 

A house would get zero points for an in-ground pool in DC this week!

Around here, they fill them in, because the expense is too high in northern Indiana, and only 2 months of use.

I think it depends on the market.  Here I would say little to no value and half the people who buy a home with one fill it in

Ellen Caruso Less value, more taxes and more work.

In my market it is subject to the wants of the Buyer. Most appraisals I have seen add a negative for them. Our winters are six months of the year so I have to agree.  Way to much maintenance and very little use.

They add very little value in TN since swiming weather is basically June to September.

I don't think it adds value. 

If the pool is not for your personal enjoyment, then don't even bother. The upkeep, added electricity , and higher taxes and insurance cured me several homes ago. Add value? Sure but not as much as the cost of building the pool in the first place.

Minnesota it usually detracts form the value

In my area, pools take away value.  No one wants to deal with something you can only use 3 months a year.

In ground pools do add some value.

I don't think pools add to the value -- many buyers don't want them due to liability and upkeep issues.

In our area, it does not add value

There's very little adjustment for pools on appraisals compared to the cost.  It's like everything else, if you are not doing it for your pen enjoyment, then don't do it and market the home with "room for a pool".

Ellen - I love pools, but in our area, it doesn't add much value (as I've heard ad infinitum from agents).  The ROI on this is low...as many don't value it and many don't want to pay the maintenance fees...so sometimes it lowers the value.  For some, they also have safety concerns for little kids, so some avoid those homes all together.

The idea is to build a pool if you love it and will use it...knowing that you may only recoup 20-30% of the investment.  (of course the #'s may be different if he is building it.

You can probably inquire ahead of time on the tax implications...which can obviously cost you more while your selling and will also impact the buyer.

I see many luxury homes in our are with and without pools. 

I think pools add value, but it depends on where you live Ellen Caruso!  Here, in an age-restricted community, they are not that popular.  Here we have 2 pools in the community, one being Olympic-size, so you get to enjoy it without having it in your backyard.  You can do laps or take water aerobic classes, without having to care for it.  I would not put in a pool when you decide to sell though, as you are doing it for someone else and not getting to enjoy the benefits yourself or for your children.  To someone else it might just be an additional expense that they cannot afford.  I know, it's hard to imagine a pool not having value to everyone!

A poor investment in Washington state.

Here, it depends on what side of the road you are on. On the ocean side it is a great vacation rental option and on the other side it is just a nusance.

A pool adds value but about a third of what it cost to put it in.

 IN Glen Head NY a pool is a hole into which you throw money.

IN Tampa Florida, a pool is as vital as air conditioning for those living a active lifestyle. Was in the pool Christmas Day.

Location, location, location.

It is a hard question to answer and I can see both sides. Pools would be nice where the climate makes it useful to use. Here is Chicago, no. The cost of upkeep and the short time that you can use it, doesn't make sense to install.  The cost factor of adding a pool will never be gotten back in increased selling price. Unless your house is on "Love it or List it". 

Why complicate the sale of your Home? If you incur the cost of an upscale pool and landscaping you may not be able to recover the cost when you sell your home. Find out what homes similiar to yours with pools in your area have sold for and how long it took for them to sell. This should help you decide.

No value added in colder climates since our summers are so short.  Now if I was buying home in South I would want pool.

Ellen,
I would never put a pool into sell. You won’t get your money back.
Too many buyers see a pool as a liability or maintenance headache.

there's a demand for them in my area.., but the appraisers don't care about them, as far as I've heard.... here, buyers who want them exceed the number of those who do not want them.....we always had an inground pool when the children were small....and they have them now for their families...

I think the value, or not, is based on the buyer - some don't want the additional cost and maintenance. Not sure that they are ever added as an adjustment in an appraisal. On of those "depends" questions

Ooo, that's really hyperlocal. In my area, we have FEW pools because we have the Colorado River and a LOT of second home owners (and pools don't clean themselves)! In Palm Springs 200 miles SW and super-similar climate, practically EVERYONE has a pool . . .
I would in your case take a look at the stats and see what the ROI of a pool is. I don't believe they ever really pencil out except for enjoyment.
If it were I, I would let the buyer decide and adjust pricing accordingly.

Not here.

in my opinion , any major improvement adds value, but with most major improvements the appraiser usually doesn't give the owner what they paid.  But many people love in ground pools and many do not, but I would say it's 50/50 desired.   

Pools are a favorite here in Florida. Most people just look at them, pay for a pool service, and say they have one for resale!

Totally depends if the buyer is looking for a home with pool.  In Texas built in pools are popular, even above ground pools in the country. Others will say they are a pain and cause more issues.  I would not add a pool just to sell.  That would be a great marketing tool if the builder will put in a pool once the home is sold.