PICKLE BALL COURT

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PICKLE BALL COURT

Investor · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2022 · 74 posts · 104 votes

So we have a STR with a large flat yard and have been considering adding a pickle ball court. Anyone have one on their property? Thoughts on if its worth the hassle?

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Bruce WoodruffPro Member

Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes

Naw, I'd pass. Think how many people that you personally know that play. I know 2. It's also an older person's game (generally) so I think the use would be limited.

I'd rather set up a small putt-putt Golf course (3 holes?) everyone plays that...

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Collin Chan
Investor · Dublin, CA · Member since 2019 · 167 posts · 134 votes
3y
Thought about it as well as I have space for it. I feel like it would be a significant perk just worried about the noise complaints from neighbors. FYI it's the same dimensions as badminton so you could double the usage.
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Kenneth Woodruff
OP
Investor · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2022 · 74 posts · 104 votes
3y
Quote from @Collin Chan:

Thought about it as well as I have space for it. I feel like it would be a significant perk just worried about the noise complaints from neighbors. FYI it's the same dimensions as badminton so you could double the usage.

Would you consider adding lights as well?
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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y
I've thought about a putting green. Anyone have one of those?
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Collin Chan
Investor · Dublin, CA · Member since 2019 · 167 posts · 134 votes
3y
Quote from @Kenneth Woodruff:

Quote from @Collin Chan:

Thought about it as well as I have space for it. I feel like it would be a significant perk just worried about the noise complaints from neighbors. FYI it's the same dimensions as badminton so you could double the usage.

Would you consider adding lights as well?

My area would have quiet hours and sensitive neighbors. Also Sedona is a dark sky community so no lights :)
1 Reply
Brooklyn McCarty
Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
3y
Definitely would be an amenity that would set you apart. My worry is that this is a fad and in a year or two there will be a new “pickle ball.” Not sure what the costs would be to put in a pickle ball court and do it the right way.
You may be better off to price something like a pool or a stock tank pool out. Pools never go out of style.
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Brooklyn McCarty
Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
3y
Quote from @John Underwood:

I've thought about a putting green. Anyone have one of those?

Don’t have one, I think a putting green would also be a good idea. A small little mini course.
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Brooklyn McCarty
Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
3y
Quote from @John Underwood:

I've thought about a putting green. Anyone have one of those?

Don’t have one, I think a putting green would also be a good idea. A small little mini course. Not sure what the up jeep would look like?
0 Reply
Chad McMahan
Residential Real Estate Broker · Sedona, AZ · Member since 2017 · 751 posts · 504 votes
3y
Quote from @Collin Chan:

Thought about it as well as I have space for it. I feel like it would be a significant perk just worried about the noise complaints from neighbors. FYI it's the same dimensions as badminton so you could double the usage.
I've been concerned about noise, as well- because a basketball half-court would be good, as well. My client put in a sand volleyball court, as it's quieter than most similar sports.
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Solomon Price
Central Florida · Member since 2023 · 17 posts · 5 votes
3y
Pickleball is certainly all the rage right now. Our General Contracting business is putting in several pickleball courts in our area.
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
Naw, I'd pass. Think how many people that you personally know that play. I know 2. It's also an older person's game (generally) so I think the use would be limited.
I'd rather set up a small putt-putt Golf course (3 holes?) everyone plays that...
3 Reply
Nancy Bachety
Rental Property Investor · North Fork, NY · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 631 votes
3y
If you played pickleball, you’d know a lot more than 2. Tennis courts are being adapted in lots of places for pickleball because all ages play, they’re teaching it in phys Ed classes in schools across the country and there’s a low barrier to entry, doesn’t require lessons or formal partnerships with like partners.
But the answer to your question lies in what are your guests coming to your area for and are there public courts available to them? Does your competition offer courts? And then there’s always the liability question.
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Lauren Kormylo
Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
I just saw a news video about homeowners near their tennis courts fighting their HOA for allowing them to be converted to pickleball, which is much noisier and irritating to the human ear.
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
And what about the cost to build a real court? I just looked it up and I'm getting numbers like $20k - $50k.... That will take a long time to recoup, wouldn't it? And how far away is the nearest public court?
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Nancy Bachety
Rental Property Investor · North Fork, NY · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 631 votes
3y
Yep, I could understand that. I wouldn’t want either within earshot of my house. I wouldn’t want noisy kids in a pool next door either.
It wouldn’t be top on my list of offerings. Depends on your area and proximity to neighbors.
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Ryan MoyerBusiness Member
Property Manager · Orlando Kissimmee Davenport Salt Lake City, Park City · Member since 2019 · 991 posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Naw, I'd pass. Think how many people that you personally know that play. I know 2. It's also an older person's game (generally) so I think the use would be limited.
I'd rather set up a small putt-putt Golf course (3 holes?) everyone plays that...

I'm 39 and I know at least 2 dozen people that play.
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Ryan Moyer:

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Naw, I'd pass. Think how many people that you personally know that play. I know 2. It's also an older person's game (generally) so I think the use would be limited.
I'd rather set up a small putt-putt Golf course (3 holes?) everyone plays that...

I'm 39 and I know at least 2 dozen people that play.

Hmmmm, guess I need to get out more! 😂
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Luka Milicevic
Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
It sounds expensive but gosh pickle ball is huge right now. It will most definitely set you apart.
If you do end up doing it, I'd say you should strive for the absolute least amount of maintenance court you can get. If that's a thing....
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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
3y
@Kenneth Woodruff how often would it be used in your location? Get a corn hole set or similar toy,less investment, more use, less annoying to the neighbors. If you have to do I would do golf over pickleball.
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Ryan MoyerBusiness Member
Property Manager · Orlando Kissimmee Davenport Salt Lake City, Park City · Member since 2019 · 991 posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Quote from @Ryan Moyer:

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Naw, I'd pass. Think how many people that you personally know that play. I know 2. It's also an older person's game (generally) so I think the use would be limited.
I'd rather set up a small putt-putt Golf course (3 holes?) everyone plays that...

I'm 39 and I know at least 2 dozen people that play.

Hmmmm, guess I need to get out more! 😂

To be fair I'm in Utah which randomly seems to be the pickleball capital of the world somehow. It was big here 5 years ago before it caught on everywhere else. We have 4 indoor pickleball complexes and probably 7 or 8 sets of pickleball courts (each with 8-15 courts) within a 15 minute drive of my house.
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Max Ferguson
Real Estate Broker · Denver/Castle Pines/Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2021 · 248 posts · 136 votes
3y
Not to kill the dream but the return on investment would not be worth it. I have taught tennis for 5 years, teach pickleball every once in a while when my club needs a fill in. The build out would be 20-50k to say the least. You would need to target executive rentals/country clubs/whatever to fill the space with people that will play.

The only way this is viable as well is if you do not have neighbors. Not a lot of people understand how truly loud pickleball is. I also would like to highlight the fact that while pickleball is the "rage" right now, could you imagine if it goes the way of ALL other subsidiaries of tennis throughout the years? Historically every 15 years a new racquet sport pops up and is very hot for a little while. Examples of this are squash, badminton, table tennis, and racquetball. It would stink to get stuck with a pickleball court no one touches in ten years.

If you are dead set on it, there are ways to create cash, but you would need to find a way to market to pickleball players that would be willing to stay together for a weekend to play. If you have any questions/need recommendations for the process I am happy to help. I am very involved with racquet sports and could give you some resources for builders/clubs to market to/etc....

Good luck!!
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Bob Willis
Investor · Curtis, NE · Member since 2019 · 231 posts · 140 votes
3y
I like the idea but I think the noise would be problematic (as others have mentioned). I live about 1/4 mile from a rec center with about 30 pickle ball courts. When I am up early in the morning (6 AM) and go outside I can hear the play while in my front yard (no noise at all in the house). I can hear nothing during the later hours of the day because the ambient noise level is much louder. But I could see living directly adjacent to a court being a problem. Also, sounds like cost is an issue from some of the posts.
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Ned J.Pro Member
Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Factoring out the noise issues, the ROI is not going to be there unless you are basically have some sport court that you are basically just converting to a pickleball court...starting from scratch, the ROI just isnt going to be there
Its may make you unique.... but unique doesnt always drive enough interest that actually returns $$. How many people looking for a unit are going to jump on yours and pay more just because it has one pickleball court? It may be very popular right now, but there are lot of readily available public courts.... its a social gathering sport also. Multiple people want to meet up, hang out, play matches against other groups.
I dont see the ROI
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Dave Skow
Lender · Seattle, WA · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 899 votes
3y
@Kenneth Woodruff- worth it ( depending on the overall cost - of course ) ...I know many people that would go out of the way and pay extra to book a place that has a court
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Kenneth Woodruff
OP
Investor · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2022 · 74 posts · 104 votes
3y
Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

And what about the cost to build a real court? I just looked it up and I'm getting numbers like $20k - $50k.... That will take a long time to recoup, wouldn't it? And how far away is the nearest public court?

Yea, cost is one area im not sure I would recover, although doing some of it myself the cost is pretty low. Some of the noise comments are a concern as well.
0 Reply
Kenneth Woodruff
OP
Investor · Lancaster, PA · Member since 2022 · 74 posts · 104 votes
3y
Quote from @Colleen F.:

@Kenneth Woodruff how often would it be used in your location? Get a corn hole set or similar toy,less investment, more use, less annoying to the neighbors. If you have to do I would do golf over pickleball.

So this location is in Amish country and a lot of the guests are mid aged and up. We saw some of the courts being added at nearby hotels and that is what drove our consideration. The other benefit an earlier post suggested was dual use bad mitten and pickle ball, in addition I can add a basketball hoop and make a half court and cover all 3. is on the side of the house with a privacy fence middle of one acre so could be good attraction. We would add an additional outside fire pit as well in the area.
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