Backyard Pools Made a Splash During the Pandemic—and They’re Still a Valuable Perk, Especially in These Hot Markets

Homes with swimming pools no longer command the massive premiums seen during the COVID-19 pandemic—but they remain highly desirable and valuable.

As of April this year, the typical home with a pool was listed for $599,000, up more than 44% from 2019 and just shy of the June 2024 peak, according to a new Realtor.com® report on swimming pool trends in 2025.

During the same period, the national median list price for a home without a pool surged 42%, from $274,000 before the onset of the pandemic to $389,000 in April 2025.

"Interestingly, while prices have climbed across the board, the price gap between homes with and without pools, in percentage terms, has narrowed from its pandemic highs," says Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones. "This doesn't necessarily mean pools are less valuable, but rather that the market's premium specifically for this amenity has softened."

According to Jones, this development should not come as a surprise. At the height of the pandemic, the popularity of private swimming pools soared, as stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions kept most people from going on vacation.

"This surge in demand translated into a substantial pool premium, where homes featuring a pool commanded significantly higher asking prices compared to their pool-less counterparts," explains the analyst.

This trend reached a record high in January 2022, when the typical U.S. home with a pool commanded a staggering 61% price premium.

End of pandemic triggered market shift

But as the effects of COVID-19 waned and life resumed its normal course, allowing people to leave their homes and travel again, homebuyer preferences saw a shift in the desirability of pools.

According to the latest data analysed by the team at Realtor.com, as of this April, the price premium for a home featuring a pool has slipped 7 percentage points from its 2022 peak, settling at 54%, which is similar to pre-pandemic levels.

"This recalibration suggests that the unique circumstances that inflated pool values are no longer the dominant market force," says Jones.

However, a look at the inventory of for-sale properties shows that pools remain a highly sought-after amenity. Last month, the share of listings with a swimming pool climbed to an all-time high of 24.4%.

"This suggests that sellers appreciate the potential appeal of a pool, even as the magnitude of the price premium has adjusted," according to Jones.

In 2022, buyers were often willing to pay top dollar for desirable amenities like a pool in a market with fewer available listings and intense competition. Today, there are more options for house hunters to choose from, and they are less likely to spend as much time at home, splashing in their backyard pool, compared with three years ago.

As a result, would-be buyers are less willing to pay as big a premium for a home with a pool as in the past—and home sellers aware of this shift are lowering their prices to meet the market.

Swimming pools are most popular in these markets

Unsurprisingly, homes with pools tend to be most in demand in the South and the West, where the climate is hotter than in other parts of the U.S. and people enjoy being outdoors.

What's more, in warm-weather metros, a pool is often considered a standard amenity by buyers, rather than an added luxury.

So far this year, balmy Miami had the highest share of listings with a pool, at nearly 62%, followed by Phoenix (58%), Orlando, FL (55%), Austin, TX (52%), and Tampa, FL (48%).

Compared with 2019, Las Vegas saw the biggest surge in the portion of for-sale properties with pools. Six years ago, only 16% of listings in Sin City featured pools; in 2025, that figure surpassed 43%.

Other cities that experienced a similar trend included Houston, TX, Nashville, TN, Indianapolis, and Miami.

"Notably, many of these metros have also witnessed substantial new-construction activity over the past six years," points out Jones. "This suggests a strong correlation between new development and the increasing availability of homes with pools, either private or within community amenity packages."

Overall, what the latest trend report shows is that while the sky-high price premiums on homes with pools have retreated from the pandemic days, a pool remains an attractive feature, so long as home sellers don't overestimate its worth.

"Sellers should be mindful of the evolving market dynamics and avoid overpricing their properties based solely on the presence of a pool," cautions Jones. "The market is more sensitive to value, and buyers have more choices."

Meanwhile, buyers are advised to weigh the benefits that having a pool could potentially add to their lifestyle against the price premium, while also taking into account the maintenance responsibilities and costs that come with having a pool.

"The dream of a backyard oasis remains alive, but its market value is now grounded in a more balanced reality," concludes Jones.

Read more at Realtor.com

Related Links

• Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

• Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

• Where to Place Your Birdbath for Happier Birds

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Sidelined homebuyers see opportunity in a possible recession

As economic concerns grow, a new survey from Realtor.com shows that a significant share of prospective homebuyers may view a potential recession as an opportunity rather than a deterrent.

According to the survey, 63.4% of respondents expect a recession within the next year, reflecting the highest level of concern since 2019.

Despite that, nearly 30% of home shoppers said a downturn would make them more likely to purchase a home — almost double the 15.8% who said it would make them less likely to buy.

“Confidence in the economy has clearly taken a hit amid ongoing headlines around trade, tariffs, and rate uncertainty,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. “But while concerns are definitely present, some buyers anticipate that a downturn can bring opportunity. Well-prepared buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines are likely motivated by personal and lifestyle needs like growing families, new jobs, or retirements and these considerations can outweigh short term economic uncertainties.”

Life circumstances outweigh economy

The majority of respondents — 54.4% — said a potential recession would have no impact on their decision to purchase a home. For many, lifestyle drivers such as family growth, job changes or retirement remain the primary motivation to buy.

Of the 29.8% who said a recession would make them more likely to purchase, most cited expectations of lower mortgage rates and reduced competition as motivating factors.

Inventory and budget constraints

While some buyers see promise in a cooling economy, many still face significant hurdles. A lack of suitable housing inventory was cited by 44.3% of respondents as the biggest obstacle. Despite improved listing activity compared to last year, total active inventory remains 16.3% below historic levels.

Budget limitations were identified by 36% of buyers, with potential inflation and high mortgage rates posing additional threats in the coming months.

Financial barriers are also mounting — 13.5% of buyers cited poor credit scores and 8.2% reported difficulty qualifying for a mortgage. Tighter lending standards and changing student loan policies may add further strain.

Signs of a calmer market

The survey also indicates that the intense competition of the past few years is beginning to ease. Just 7.7% of respondents said overbidding was a top concern, down from 10.4% one year ago. This shift coincides with a rise in available listings, longer time on market and more stable pricing.

For buyers who remain financially positioned to act, current conditions may offer greater negotiating power and less pressure than in recent years.

Read more at Housingwire

Related Links

• Yes, You Should Spring Clean Your Houseplants—Here's How in 3 Easy Steps

• Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

• Where to Place Your Birdbath for Happier Birds

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you’re wondering:

• Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home?

• Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt?

Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily.

Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans?

In the simplest sense, what you want to know is can you still buy your first home if you have student debt. Here’s what Yahoo Finance says:

” . . . student loans don’t have to get in your way when it comes to becoming a homeowner. With the right approach and an understanding of how debt impacts your home-buying options, buying a house when you have student loans is possible.“

And the data backs this up. An annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shows that 32% of first-time buyers had student loan debt.

While everyone’s situation is unique, your goal may be more doable than you realize. Plenty of people with student loans have been able to qualify for and buy a home. Let that reassure you that it is still possible, even as a first-time buyer. And just in case it’s helpful to know, the median student loan debt was $30,000. As an article from Chase says:

“It’s important to note that student loans usually don’t affect your ability to qualify for a mortgage any differently than other types of debt you have on your credit report, such as credit card debt and auto loans.”

If your income is steady and your overall finances are solid, homeownership can still be within reach. So, having student loans doesn’t necessarily mean you have to wait to buy a home.

Bottom Line

Having student loans doesn’t mean buying a home is off the table. Before you count yourself out, talk to a lender to get a clearer picture of what you can afford and how close you are to taking the first step toward homeownership.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

Related Links

• Yes, You Should Spring Clean Your Houseplants—Here's How in 3 Easy Steps

• Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

• Where to Place Your Birdbath for Happier Birds

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Is it finally a buyer's housing market? What to know about home prices, rate 'lock-in'

The housing market has been on a roller coaster for the past several years, but as the ride slows to a crawl, home prices and some other measures are likely to come back to earth.

Here’s what to know about some of the most important aspects of the market:

Home price gains will slow considerably

Prices surged during the pandemic – up roughly 50% over the last five years, depending on which gauge you use – as mortgage rates hit rock-bottom and Americans reconsidered where they wanted to live.

Such big gains have had consequences. Homeowners are sitting on record levels of home equity, but it’s increasingly challenging for buyers, especially first-timers, to break into the market.

But now prices are falling back to earth, and may continue to do so. The Mortgage Bankers Association expects prices to rise only 1.3% in 2025, while Fannie Mae economists forecast a 4.1% price gain.

It’s worth noting that many analysts have predicted a similar trend in the past, only to see the sharp imbalance between demand and available supply keep prices elevated.

Is ‘mortgage rate lock-in’ over?

What’s different now is that more homeowners seem to be ready to list their homes for sale. For the past several years, one of the strongest forces acting on the housing market has been the mortgage rate “lock-in” effect, whereby homeowners with rock-bottom rates were reluctant to move and take on much higher borrowing costs.

As of the fourth quarter of 2024, the most recent data available, 72% of all outstanding mortgages had a rate below 6%, and more than half had a rate below 4%. For many people, moving and taking on a new mortgage at the prevailing rates of 6%-7% was hard to contemplate unless it was absolutely necessary.

But now, according to anecdotal evidence, some of that reluctance is easing. Redfin real estate agent David Palmer sees it in Seattle, where he works. “There are so many people that post pandemic are like, OK, rate be damned,” Palmer said.

Selma Hepp, chief economist for real estate data firm Cotality, says the thaw is happening much more quickly than most analysts had anticipated. “Maybe it’s the spring homebuying season,” she said.

Whatever the reason, there are a lot more options for buyers now. Realtor.com data show that in April, there were 959,251 active listings, more than 30% higher than April last year, and nearly as high as 2019 levels. While some of that was due to homes staying on the market longer, listings were up 9.2% in April compared to March, and up 10.2% in March versus February.

That means buyers may finally get a break after several years of frenzied sellers’ markets, Palmer told USA TODAY. “I do think this can be a good opportunity for people looking to buy. First-timers can actually negotiate something,” he said. It’s also a positive for people looking to trade up, he said, since a slower-paced market makes it easier to weigh the options.

Is it a buyer’s market yet?

It’s too soon to call this a buyer’s market – and experts like Hepp caution that the national housing market is, in fact, increasingly local, with some areas experiencing outsize demand while others weaken.

Still, Realtor.com data show that more sellers are making price cuts. In April, 18% of home listings had price reductions, the highest April share in Realtor.com data going back to at least 2016.

“This trend suggests that sellers are adjusting their expectations in the face of affordability challenges and weaker buyer demand in some markets,” Realtor.com economists wrote in an April analysis.

Palmer, the Seattle agent, says he’s accustomed to having conversations with homeowners disappointed that they may have missed the peak of the market a few years ago. But many understand the reality, he said. “You do have both sides more willing to realize the reality of how things are more expensive,” he said. “It is a different world now.”

Read more at USAToday

Related Links

• Yes, You Should Spring Clean Your Houseplants—Here's How in 3 Easy Steps

• Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

• Where to Place Your Birdbath for Happier Birds

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Should You Buy a New Home Before Selling Your Old One?

If you’re in the market for a new home, but, like most homeowners, you need to sell your old one, what’s the best way to handle the logistics? Should you sell first and then look for a new place? Or is it better to find your next home first and then put your existing home on the market?

“It depends,” says Sammy Lyon, an associate broker with Dow Capital, a boutique brokerage in Los Angeles. “While it’s possible to buy before you sell, risks are involved. You have to work with your agent and be prudent so you’re not just flying blind.”

In July 2022, Lyon represented the buyers of a three-bedroom, bungalow-style home in Burbank, California, that was listed for $1.25 million and went under contract in eight days, closing shortly thereafter for $1.3 million. It was only after his clients purchased that home that they listed their two-bedroom condo in Burbank – which itself went under contract two weeks later and sold for more than the asking price.

“The houses they were interested in were going over ask very quickly,” Lyon says. The couple also had a 2-year-old child and wanted to avoid the disruption that comes with selling a house as well as the risk that they might have to move into temporary housing if their house sold before they found a new one. Lyon says his buyers were able to close on the new house because they received a gift from a family member to cover the down payment.

The Pros and Cons of Buying First

In a competitive market, where there are few homes for sale and available homes often receive multiple bids and sell for more than the asking price, buying before you sell may be the only way to lock down a new place. The worst-case scenario in a strong sellers’ market is selling your home quickly before you’ve found a new one – and then having nowhere to go.

Buyers with kids and pets may find it easier to purchase first as well. It’s challenging to maintain a home in show-ready condition, and it’s disruptive when strangers traipse through your home during showings. Plus, many agents prefer to market empty homes.

“I prefer selling vacant houses because most people don’t have furniture that looks like it’s straight from HGTV,” says Rachel Kilmer, an agent with ReeceNichols Real Estate in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, who serves the greater Kansas City area. “Many times, a vacant home shows better because you can get it really clean. Plus, buyers can visualize their stuff in the home more easily – and it appears bigger in photos.”

Of course, if you purchase first and can’t sell your home quickly, you risk being on the hook for not only two mortgage payments but also the carrying costs of both homes, and that can get expensive fast. To avoid a financial crisis, do your homework – know how much you will net from the sale of your present home and how long it should take to sell under current market conditions. That way, you can take a calculated risk after reviewing all the details with your agent.

Structuring a Purchase When You Haven’t Sold Your Home

There are a number of ways to structure the purchase and sale transactions when you plan to buy first.

• Pay cash. This is the simplest way to purchase a new home before you sell your existing one. Many homeowners have equity in their homes, according to data provider Intercontinental Exchange, which reported in March 2025 that U.S. mortgage holders were sitting on $17 trillion in equity entering 2025, including $11 trillion in tappable equity that could be borrowed against while still maintaining a 20% equity stake in their homes. These homeowners can tap that equity via a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a bridge loan, which, according to Jeremy Bordner, a regional vice president at LoanDepot, “is gap financing, a short-term loan that helps you bridge the gap between buying your new home and selling your old home.” Bridge loans typically have a 12-month term and are not renewable, he says.

• Mortgage the new home. If you can qualify for two mortgages based on your income, assets and credit, you can move ahead with the purchase and finance it with a mortgage. Kilmer says this is what most of her clients do. They put a minimum down payment on the new house, close on the purchase and then, once they’ve sold their existing home, they recast the mortgage to pay down the principal balance and lower their monthly payments.

• Collateralize other assets. If you own investment real estate, a stock portfolio or other assets, you can borrow against them to close on the new home.

• Borrow from your 401(k). While distributions from a 401(k) may trigger taxes and a penalty, borrowing does not, according to Mari Adam, a certified financial planner in Boca Raton, Florida. “If your plan permits, you can do a 401(k) loan and pay it back with interest,” she says. “Otherwise, it may count as a taxable distribution.” Your plan will determine the amount you can borrow and under what terms. Of course, since this money is set aside for your retirement, it’s essential to pay it back to keep your retirement savings on track.

• Consider an iBuyer. An iBuyer is a company that will buy your house quickly for cash. “Being able to buy a home before you sell your current one is, for most, a luxury,” says Nick Boniakowski, head of agent partnerships for Opendoor, a San Francisco-based iBuyer that operates in 50 markets nationwide. “We help address that by providing sellers with the certainty of a cash offer and the flexibility to close on their schedule.” Boniakowski says that sellers can typically close as soon as 15 days after receiving a cash offer, or up to 60 days later, and the closing date can be rescheduled if necessary. Sellers pay a service fee of 5% of the offer price.

If you’re planning to purchase a new home before selling your existing one, be sure to do your due diligence. Ask your agent for a “seller net sheet,” a document that will itemize all the costs involved with the sale and include an estimate of the amount you should net from the deal. That way, you’ll have a better idea of what you can afford on the buy side.

“Plan for the worst, but act with confidence,” says LoanDepot’s Bordner. “Know exactly how long you could carry two homes, have backup financing in place and be realistic about your current home’s marketability and pricing. Many people think their home is worth more than it really is.”

Read more at U.S News

Related Links

• Mortgage demand from homebuyers continues to recover, even with higher interest rates

• Stocks May Be Volatile, but Home Values Aren’t

• Where to Place Your Birdbath for Happier Birds

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma