Tennis Courts

[Jody Doyle]

I am appraising a property with 4 acres of land including a tennis court; located on the South Shore of Boston, Mass.

I am looking for match pairs to find adjustments. I have not yet proven the tennis courts to be a positive factor or, to be adverse. I have expanded my search to outlaying towns as back 5 years. I will talk to real estate agents for their opinion, but, wondered what an appraiser feels about its effect in her or her market? I do have a mentor/boss that signs my reports and will discuss this, but I’d love to hear your input.
Jody

 

[Lee Lansford]

If the improvement is so rare you can not support an adjustment for it, don't adjust for its presence in the subject.

Perhaps you can find other "odd" improvements in other sold properties that are not the same as the tennis court, but might provide some indication of the market's reaction to such market oddities.

If you search and can not find anything to support an adjustment, explain why you have not adjusted for the tennis court. If the improvement is so very rare in your market, it may well indicate that such an improvement is not desired.

Just my $.02 ! !

 

[Ed]

Trying to find a matched pair with a tennis court could be next to impossible. Try this approach, try to find a house/comp with a "similar" amenity. Ingound pool, Bank Barn, Basketball Court to name a few. Consider the tennis court a Functional Obselescence and adjust for it according to what your market will bear. You'll need to decide on the adjustment, but be able to defend it. Good Luck.

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

My Marshall and Swift indicates the average cost for a concrete tennis court is around $25,000...which is substantial and about the same as a small in-ground swimming pool. Asphalt courts are less. Have you tried the search feature of MLS for "tennis court"? IN MY MARKET, the contributory value would be $5,000 to $10,000.

My brother in Phoenix built a home with two courts covered with an air conditioned dome structure. Hate to tell you what that cost. While cost does not equate to value, it usually will give you a starting point. I wish you well.

 

[Restrain]

Don't seem to be worth a lot down here. Seen a lot that are just pieces of asphalt and concrete with a lot of weeds growing up through them.

Unless you've got an estate property, and tennis courts are expected, probably worth $5-10K max.

 

[Jody Doyle]

It seems everyone who responded to my question about Tennis courts was right. The value is minimal in this market. It would be significant if everyone had tennis courts but my subject. Thanks for the help. Jody Doyle