Pickleball ranks as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. As the popularity of the sport goes up, more homebuyers might be inclined to seek out properties with pickleball courts. The question is: Will your pickleball court put you in a pickle when you’re ready to sell your home?
Rebecca Hidalgo Rains, CEO and designated broker at real estate firm Integrity All Stars Realty in Chandler, Arizona, said the financial value that a home gains from a pickleball court would depend on attracting a buyer who’s a pickleball fanatic.
“If you find a buyer who loves playing pickleball, then they might pay a premium for that amenity,” Rains said.
Paul Herskovitz, founder and CEO of real estate company Discount Lots, said some buyers now consider a residential pickleball court to be “an essential feature.”
“We have found it has helped us sell a home more than hurt us,” Rains said.
Space, Cost, and Upkeep: Three Reasons Homebuyers Say ‘No’ to Pickleball Courts
Even for pro-pickleball buyers or owners, the added cost of a residential pickleball court might be an immediate deterrent. Cost estimates of building a pickleball court range from $6,000 to more than $50,000.
While pickleball courts are a huge selling point, so is having the space to entertain around it, said Eric Moreland, broker associate at Austin real estate firm Moreland Properties.
“Space is at a premium, and a full-size pickleball court occupies space that could potentially be for a garden, pool or traditional backyard,” said Herskovitz.
“Maintenance can also be a concern, while in areas where the sport is not widely embraced, having a court may detract from, rather than increase, a buyer’s appeal,” said Herskovitz.
Finally, a residential pickleball court could be a negative if it blocks views from a home or amps up noise levels, said Jeff Lichtenstein, owner and broker of Echo Fine Properties, a real estate firm in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
If any of these reasons is enough for you, it might be worth considering a home in a neighborhood that offers a pickleball court as part of its community amenities instead.
Love Pickleball? Opt for the Court
Rains recommends opting for a pickleball court if you and your family will derive value from it.
“Adding something because it adds value to your life is often reason enough to add an amenity. It does not always have to have a financial benefit,” she said.
As far as future value goes, she believes pickleball courts are not a residential fad.
“The sport is really popular right now, and maybe that wanes a bit, but I don’t think residential pickleball courts will ever be a net negative for sellers,” she said. “I would look at them similarly to basketball courts with a bit more value, since pickleball is an all-ages sport.”
And if you’re worried about the maintenance or losing space, Lichtenstein points out that a pickleball court takes up less room than a traditional tennis court and is relatively inexpensive to maintain. He compares pickleball courts to basketball courts, pools, or tennis courts, and said he believes they’re here to stay.
“A pickleball court is like a home theater — pure gold for the right buyer, but just extra pavement for someone else. The key is knowing your market,” said Herskovitz.
John Egan
John Egan is a content creator, editor and content marketing strategist in Austin, Texas. He has worked with a variety of clients, such as ICSC, National Real Estate Investor, Nareit, the Urban Land Institute, Forbes, Newsweek and Bankrate. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in communication from Southern New Hampshire University.