There was a time in South Mississauga when having a backyard pool felt like the ultimate suburban upgrade.

In neighbourhoods like Lorne Park, Sherwood Forrest , Oakridge, Sheridan Homelands and Erin Mills,  pools became part of the identity of the home itself. They represented family summers, kids playing outside all day, backyard barbecues, and a certain lifestyle many homeowners worked hard to build over decades.

And for years, pools were almost always considered a positive feature when selling.

But lately, I have been noticing a shift.

Not necessarily because people suddenly dislike pools.

But because many long-term homeowners are simply tired.

Tired of the maintenance.
Tired of replacing equipment.
Tired of opening and closing them.
Tired of unexpected repair bills.
Tired of staring at another project they no longer want to manage.

And increasingly, some homeowners are starting to ask:
“Should we just fill it in before we sell?”

What makes this conversation interesting is that there is no simple answer anymore.

Because pools in today’s market create very strong opinions on both sides.

Pools Have Become One of the Most Divisive Features in Real Estate

A few years ago, especially during the pandemic market, pools surged in popularity.

People were spending more time at home. Outdoor living became incredibly important. Buyers wanted private spaces, entertainment areas, and backyard escapes.

At that time, many buyers overlooked concerns about maintenance or operating costs because emotionally, the pool felt worth it.

Today feels different.

Buyers are more cautious now.
More price-sensitive.
More selective.

And pools no longer create the same universal excitement they once did.

In fact, I would argue swimming pools have become one of the most polarizing features in today’s resale market.

Some buyers absolutely love them.

Others immediately see risk.

“Tired Pools Create Uncertainty.” 

This is probably the biggest thing I see during showings.

Not necessarily neglected pools.

Not disaster situations.

Just… tired pools. Lots of equipment, weathered used, mis-understood.

Pools that feel like they may soon require work.

And the moment buyers feel uncertainty, their mindset changes.

Instead of imagining themselves enjoying the backyard, they start calculating:

• future repair costs
• replacement timelines
• maintenance responsibilities
• insurance implications
• safety concerns

Especially buyers who have never owned a pool before.

Experienced pool owners usually understand the realities of maintenance. They know pools require ongoing investment and attention.

But buyers with no experience often view older pools very differently.

To them, even a functional older pool can feel intimidating.

I have seen buyers walk into otherwise beautiful backyards and immediately focus on what might go wrong next.

That emotional reaction matters more than many sellers realize.

Many Homeowners Are Not Thinking About Resale First

One thing I think is important to say honestly is this: Many homeowners considering removing pools are not doing it as part of some calculated resale strategy.They are doing it because they are exhausted by the upkeep. After owning a pool for 20 or 30 years, eventually the conversations start sounding familiar:

• the heater needs replacing
• the liner is aging
• the concrete is cracking
• the landscaping looks dated
• the pump failed again
• opening and closing costs keep increasing

At a certain point, many long-term homeowners begin asking themselves whether they even use the pool enough anymore to justify the ongoing work and expense.

This is especially common among empty nesters throughout South Mississauga who originally installed pools when their children were young.

Now the kids are grown, lifestyles have changed, and the backyard is being viewed differently.

Not as a family activity space anymore.

But as another responsibility.

But Here Is the Other Side of the Conversation

This is where the discussion gets more complicated.

Because despite all of these concerns, pools can still be incredibly valuable in the right setting.

And I think some homeowners underestimate that as well.

Installing a new pool today is extremely expensive.

Not only financially, but logistically.

Buyers understand that building a new pool means:

• excavation
• construction delays
• landscaping disruption
• permits
• rising contractor costs

So when buyers find a well-designed backyard with an established pool that fits the property properly, it can still create a very strong emotional connection.

Particularly in neighbourhoods like Lorne Park Page, Oakridge, and Sherwood Forrest, pools can still feel very natural within the overall character of the property.

In some homes, removing the pool may actually reduce part of the home’s lifestyle appeal.

That is why I think this topic gets oversimplified online sometimes.

Pools are not automatically good investments.
But they are not automatically liabilities either.

It depends heavily on:

• the neighbourhood
• the condition
• the lot size
• the target buyer
• and how the entire backyard feels together

Families Are Completely Split on Pools

One thing I have consistently noticed is how emotionally divided families are on this issue. Some buyers with young children immediately eliminate pool homes from consideration because they view them as safety risks.

Others specifically want pools because they see them as an incredible lifestyle feature for children and family gatherings.

There is almost no middle ground.

People tend to feel strongly one way or the other.

And honestly, both sides make compelling arguments.

That is why pools have become much more neighbourhood-specific and buyer-specific than they used to be.

South Mississauga Is Different Than Many Other Markets

This is also where local experience matters.

Pools do not perform the same way in every neighbourhood.

In many mature South Mississauga communities, pools have existed for decades and are relatively common among larger detached homes.

That changes buyer expectations.

A pool in Lorne Park Page may be viewed very differently than a pool in another part of Mississauga where lot sizes are smaller or pools are less common.

That is why there is no universal answer to whether filling in a pool before selling is the right move.

Every property has to be evaluated individually.

And honestly, sometimes the better decision is not removing the pool at all.

Sometimes the smarter strategy is improving the presentation of the backyard so the pool feels intentional, functional, and emotionally appealing again.

The Bigger Real Estate Question

I think the real question homeowners should ask themselves is not:
“Should we remove the pool?”

The better question is:
“How does the pool affect the overall feeling and marketability of the property?”

Because real estate decisions are emotional.

A tired-looking pool can absolutely create hesitation.

But a beautifully integrated backyard can also become the feature buyers remember most after seeing multiple homes.

That is why these decisions deserve more thought than simply reacting to maintenance frustration alone.

"As both a South Mississauga homeowner and someone with more than 20 years of personal pool ownership experience, I genuinely understand both sides of this conversation. Pools can create incredible family memories and long-term lifestyle value, but they also come with maintenance, costs, responsibility, and changing priorities over time. For the record I am absolutely a pool guy."