Pickleball right in your own backyard? Why not?

___

Published Date 6/12/2024

Pickleball. The sport became a thing in the summer of 1965, when its founders, Bainbridge Island, WA residents Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum came up with the name for it referencing the thrown-together non-starters in the pickle boat of crew races. Whatever the origins of the name, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America with a whopping 13.6 million people in the U.S. having played pickleball in 2023. In other words, it’s not just a retiree sport any more.

If you’re one of the 13.6 million who were obsessed with the game last year, you may be wondering about adding a court to your backyard. Is it worth it? Realtor’s Cambriia Bold asked a few experts to weigh in on the pros and cons of doing so.

It’s easier than ever to find a company to build and install a pickleball court, according to Bold. “Most sport-court builders are well equipped to build a residential pickleball court and will offer free design help and installation quotes. They may also offer financing options.”

As for maintenance, it will vary depending on your climate. If it’s mild and doesn’t experience huge seasonal temperature changes, the maintenance of a pickleball court consists mostly of clearing leaves and debris off the surface and removing any puddles of water after a heavy rain. If you live in a place where freeze-and-thaw are the rule in northern climates, court surfaces are more prone to cracking over time and repairs will be necessary.

Well-installed pickleball courts have an admirable shelf life. “One can plan on a 30-year life expectancy with our Sport Court pickleball courts on a concrete base,” says Minnesota expert Kevin Zwart. He says with some modifications, the court could also be used for badminton, volleyball, jump rope, or outdoor yoga.

Bold says a pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court: 20 feet by 44 feet with a 36-inch net. But the total size, including active play space, is larger. “Most of the courts big enough to accommodate regulation pickleball will be in the 30-feet-by-54-feet to 30-feet-by-60-feet size,” says Zwart. How much will that cost? “$45,000 to $55,000 sight unseen and depending on components of choice,” he adds. Cost will vary considerably depending on the sitework needed (grading, drainage, equipment access) as well as design components like windscreens, fencing, and lighting.

If you’re considering the return on investment (ROI), don’t expect any, and if you do reap some, consider it a bonus. Go into this equation with purely your own enjoyment in mind.“Most likely I would look at it as a marketing advantage. If a buyer wants a pickleball court they would perhaps pick that home over another,” says Minnesota-based Realtor Julie Christensen. Like a pool, however, if a buyer doesn’t want a pickleball court, it would be a marketing disadvantage. For that reason, it’s not reasonable for a seller to tack onto the list price what they paid for the pickleball court.

If you’re looking to test your long-term interests, Bold encourages you to try a DIY before a permanent commitment. “Maybe you have a hard surface on your property you could retrofit with a do-it-yourself kit. It might not be regulation, but it’ll still give you a sense of how often you use the court at home.”

Bottom line? If you love pickleball, you will probably love having your own court, since in the end your home isn’t just about property value; it’s about your lifestyle. If it brings you joy and fits your needs, it’s an investment in happiness that stands the test of time.”

Realtor, TBWS

All information furnished has been forwarded to you and is provided by thetbwsgroup only for informational purposes. Forecasting shall be considered as events which may be expected but not guaranteed. Neither the forwarding party and/or company nor thetbwsgroup assume any responsibility to any person who relies on information or forecasting contained in this report and disclaims all liability in respect to decisions or actions, or lack thereof based on any or all of the contents of this report.

American Home Lending USA, LLC - NMLS ID: 71983. To verify licensing, visit NMLS Consumer Access (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Equal Housing Lender.