As a pickleball enthusiast and property investor, I’ve been pondering the impact of this rapidly growing sport on real estate values. While I’m a fan of the game, I wouldn’t be thrilled about a court popping up within a couple of blocks of my home. The constant noise can be grating when you’re not playing, and it could potentially disrupt everyday activities like working, reading, or watching TV. Plus, there’s the added nuisance of increased traffic and reduced parking due to the influx of players.
But how does this all translate to property prices? Well, it depends on how close the courts are to the properties. There’s also a sweet spot where the presence of pickleball courts could actually enhance property values. The number of courts in the vicinity also matters. Generally, the fewer the courts, the lesser the impact on property prices.
Let’s break it down by distance:
-
Next door or across the street: Property values could drop by 10% – 20%. The noise, sight of people playing, and increased traffic could be a triple threat. The noise can reach 70 decibels up to 100 feet away, which is generally considered a nuisance. Seeing people playing for hours might also get on your nerves. This could be a deal-breaker for many potential buyers, with up to 60% possibly unwilling to buy a home next to a pickleball court.
-
One or two blocks away: Property values could decrease by 5% – 10%. The noise will be softer and you probably won’t see the players, so you’ll likely be less irritated. However, traffic congestion could still be an issue.
-
Three blocks away: This is where the impact on property prices starts to neutralize. Your house may see up to a 5% decline in value due to the noise and increased traffic, or no decrease at all if the noise isn’t bothersome and there’s sufficient parking near the courts. For some pickleball enthusiasts looking to buy property, this could be the ideal distance, potentially pushing up real estate prices by 1-5%.
-
Four-to-six blocks away: This is the golden distance that could increase your property’s value by 1% – 5%. The noise will be barely audible, and traffic won’t likely be affected. Plus, the proximity to a park with pickleball courts could be a selling point for homebuyers, especially those with children.
-
A mile away (~20 blocks): For homeowners who don’t play pickleball, the impact of new courts this far away is neutral. But for pickleball enthusiasts, it could be a selling point. Personally, I’d be willing to pay 1% – 3% more for a home that’s within this distance from a park with new pickleball courts.
What about building a pickleball court in your backyard? If you have over an acre of land, it could boost your home’s value. But if your lot is less than an acre, it could decrease your property’s value by 1% to 10% due to potential noise complaints from neighbors.
If pickleball courts do appear nearby, there are a few things you can do to protect your home’s value. You could soundproof your house with thicker windows, become a pickleball player yourself, join a committee that sets and enforces pickleball hours, or even petition to remove the courts. However, the latter could create unwelcome enemies and potentially hurt your property’s value even more.
In the end, as pickleball continues to grow in popularity, its negative effects on real estate prices should decline. Over time, the creation of pickleball courts at most distances from homes may even boost their values. But for now, if you’re a homeowner or potential real estate buyer, it’s worth keeping an eye on where existing and future pickleball courts will spring up.
