In the Capital Region, homeowners are increasingly looking at their outdoor spaces as an extension of their homes. Patios, kitchens, lighting and most of all, pools, have shifted from luxuries to lifestyle essentials. A well-designed pool isn’t only a place to cool off on hot summer afternoons — it’s also a smart investment that can increase your home’s market value and deliver positive daily returns in the form of health, happiness and family connection.
The Real Value a Pool Brings
Real estate studies consistently show that adding a pool can raise a home’s value by five to eight percent. Realtor.com found that homes with pools listed for about eight percent more than comparable homes without them, while in some markets that premium climbs even higher.
In Pittsburgh, a city with a relatively short swim season, the premium reached more than eleven percent, while in warm climates such as Florida it has been documented at twenty percent or more. Even if the Capital Region’s colder climate limits pool use to part of the year, the numbers make clear that a pool is a feature buyers are willing to pay more for. For a home valued at $700,000, that can mean an additional $35,000 to $60,000 in resale potential.
What often surprises homeowners is how pools continue to command premiums even after the pandemic-driven surge in demand has cooled. At the peak in 2022, homes with pools were selling for more than sixty percent more than homes without, largely because they tended to be larger and better equipped. That figure has since normalized, but even in 2025, pool homes still list for over fifty percent more nationally on median, reflecting the value buyers place on turnkey outdoor living.
The Truth About Cold-Climate Concerns
Skepticism is natural in the Capital Region, where winters are long and summers can feel fleeting. Many homeowners wonder if a pool is worth the investment when the swimming season only lasts a few months. Yet research shows that even in cooler climates, pools hold their value.
In Pittsburgh, for example, homes with pools commanded an 11.5 percent price premium — proof that a shorter swim season does not diminish buyer demand. For Upstate New York homeowners, the calculus is similar: a pool is less about year-round use and more about making every summer day count.
In Pittsburgh, for example, homes with pools commanded an 11.5 percent price premium — proof that a shorter swim season does not diminish buyer demand. For Upstate New York homeowners, the calculus is similar: a pool is less about year-round use and more about making every summer day count.
Design That Elevates Value
The greatest return comes not from the pool alone, but from the way it integrates with the rest of the property. A new patio installation, according to the National Association of Realtors, can recoup up to ninety-five percent of its cost, essentially paying for itself at resale.
An upscale outdoor kitchen is estimated to recover one hundred percent of its cost. Fire pits, often seen as purely decorative, carry an average return of sixty-seven percent. Professional landscaping can add between ten and twenty percent to overall home value, and beyond the numbers, it is one of the top features that draws buyers to a listing. When these elements are layered around a pool, the result is a space that is not only visually stunning but also financially rewarding.
Blue Spruce Design’s turnkey approach — blending pools with patios, kitchens, fire features, irrigation and lighting — reflects this philosophy. A backyard that functions as a cohesive outdoor living environment creates the most equity, improves marketability and appeals to buyers seeking a truly move-in-ready lifestyle.
ROI, Maintenance, and Buyer Confidence
Of course, return on investment is not only about resale. It’s also about how the pool performs during ownership. A study from the National Association of Realtors estimated that in-ground pool projects recover about fifty-six percent of their cost in direct home value.
That number does not account for years of enjoyment and wellness benefits, which are harder to quantify but of course, are still significant. Importantly, fiberglass pools are known for their lower maintenance requirements, which keeps annual costs manageable and adds to buyer confidence. Pools that are easier to maintain and come with clear service records are far more attractive when it comes time to sell.
Lifestyle Value in Upstate NY
What really elevates a pool’s value is the lifestyle it supports. Surveys of pool owners consistently show high levels of satisfaction, with the National Association of Realtors giving pools a perfect “Joy Score” of ten out of ten.
A recent Latham Pools survey found that sixty-eight percent of parents reported spending more quality time as a family after installing a pool, and nearly half said their children’s screen time declined once swimming became a regular option. For many families, a pool is not just a feature of their home — it becomes the heart of the household, where memories are made and time together feels effortless.
A recent Latham Pools survey found that sixty-eight percent of parents reported spending more quality time as a family after installing a pool, and nearly half said their children’s screen time declined once swimming became a regular option. For many families, a pool is not just a feature of their home — it becomes the heart of the household, where memories are made and time together feels effortless.
The Key Takeaways for Capital Region Homeowners
A recent Latham Pools survey found that sixty-eight percent of parents reported spending more quality time as a family after installing a pool, and nearly half said their children’s screen time declined once swimming became a regular option. For many families, a pool is not just a feature of their home — it becomes the heart of the household, where memories are made and time together feels effortless.
Concerns about climate can be addressed with the right materials, winterization and integrated design. When a pool is paired with patios, kitchens, landscaping and lighting, the result is an extraordinary outdoor space that delivers returns across every dimension: equity, health and happiness.
Blue Spruce Design and River Pools bring this vision to life in the Capital Region. Their expertise in both landscaping and pool installation lends itself to that projects are not just functional, but extraordinary. For homeowners who want to elevate their property and their lifestyle, investing in a pool is more than a seasonal choice. It’s a decision that enriches the value of home, body and family life for years to come.
Contact the team at Blue Spruce Landscape & Design to learn more.