How Pickleball Noise Impacts Home Sales: For avid pickleball players, the prospect of having a court just a hop, skip, and jump from their front door might seem like a dream come true. However, before rushing into the purchase of a property close to their favorite game spot, there’s a cautionary tale worth considering. Often, the initial excitement of proximity can give way to unforeseen challenges, such as noise concerns, limited availability, or the potential for disputes with neighbors. It’s wise to weigh these factors carefully to ensure that the dream of convenient play doesn’t turn into an unexpected headache.
Judy Comeau and her husband found themselves in a bit of a pickle with their Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts home. They put their three-bedroom property on the market in January, just two minutes from the beach. Despite slashing the asking price from $1.3 million to $995,000, the house has yet to sell. Comeau suspects that the incessant “pop-pop-pop” noise from the nearby pickleball court might be scaring off potential buyers.
“It’s a very harsh, hard sound,” said Comeau’s neighbor, Kim Hannon, in a chat with the Boston Globe. “It eventually does start to bother you. I didn’t think it would in the beginning, but it really does.”
Comeau’s frustrations led her to hire a lawyer to address the noise issue, hoping it might pave the way for a sale.
“We were packed. All our stuff is getting mildewy down in the boxes because we thought we’d be gone.” – (Comeau)
But Comeau’s struggles aren’t unique. The rise in pickleball’s popularity has presented some challenges for home sellers. Josh Judge of Verani Realty, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in New Hampshire, notes that the presence of a pickleball court can be a deal-breaker for some buyers.
“I had a client who was in love with a home from the listing. But when we got there and they saw the court, they instantly ruled it out and didn’t even want to go inside and check out the house.” – (Judge)
Hannah Jones, a senior economist at Realtor.com, acknowledges that noisy attractions like pickleball courts can drive away noise-sensitive buyers. However, she also points out that the presence of such amenities can be a plus for others.
“Other home shoppers may be excited to be close to these lively hubs of activity.” – (Judge)
News in Brief: How Pickleball Noise Impacts Home Sales
Homebuyers eyeing properties near pickleball courts might face unexpected challenges. Judy Comeau, a Sagamore Beach homeowner, has struggled to sell her property despite lowering the price from $1.3 million to $995,000. She attributes the difficulty to the constant noise from a nearby pickleball court.
Real estate experts like Josh Judge from Verani Realty report that such amenities can deter potential buyers, though some may find them appealing. Senior economist Hannah Jones from Realtor.com notes that while noisy attractions might affect some buyers, others might see them as a benefit.
For those concerned about noise issues, investing in real estate through REITs offers a way to avoid these complications.
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