Seattle's no-pool vibe looks smart as trend cools
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Seattle never bought into the backyard pool craze — and now, that restraint is paying off.
Why it matters: Across much of the U.S., homeowners are watching the value of their once-coveted pools evaporate as the real estate market resets, according to Realtor.com.
By the numbers: Nationally, nearly 1 in 4 homes listed this spring in the 50 largest U.S. metro areas came with a pool — especially in Miami, Phoenix and Orlando, per the online real estate website.
- The typical asking price boost for those homes is now roughly 21% per square foot compared to homes without pools, down from a 26% peak in 2022.
- Meanwhile, only 3.5% of listings in the Seattle area included a pool, the lowest share in the country.
Between the lines: Though summers are getting hotter here, our historically temperate dry season means we have neither the air conditioning saturation or pool obsession seen in other parts of the country.
- Seattle's alternative? Spray parks, lakes and community pools.
Reality check: Overall, home prices have soared since the pandemic, but pools come with hefty upkeep costs and buyers are getting pickier as more homes hit the market.
What's next: As backyard pools lose their luster, Seattle's splash-free swagger might be the real flex.