DALLAS, TX – I know I’m not the only one who loves casual house hunting on Zillow in my free time.

There's nothing that will take the edge off a long day faster than scrolling through listings aplenty and judging the staging and landscaping like I'm Chip and Joanna Gaines with my own HGTV show.

Interestingly enough, one of the biggest trends in home-buying is pickleball-related.

According to the Zillow Group, pickleball references in listings increased 64% in 2023. In New York City alone, there was a 100% increase in the share of for-sale listings that highlighted a home’s proximity to a public or private pickleball court.

“Pickleball courts have become a great selling feature because they appeal to athletes of all ages,” said Zillow Premier Agent partner, Joy Kim Metalois.

This listings tactic shouldn't come as a surprise, of course. Incorporating references to America's fastest-growing sport is a perfect strategy to get more attention. 

It’s what Target is doing by selling pickleball apparel and gear. Sand + Fog did something similar by releasing a pickleball candle. They’re both capitalizing on a remarkably popular trend, and the same can be applied to the housing market. 

When I was on my own apartment hunt a while back, I noticed that many buildings advertise their proximity to grocery stores, popular coffee shops, and pet supply stores to market their product to the right audience, along with showcasing amenities like fitness centers and pools.

Pickleball is another attractive amenity. 

It’s also a good idea for sellers to stage the home with a pickleball net in the driveway for potential buyers to get an idea of the actual size of the space. After all, I think we’ve all been duped by some crafty images that definitely made the eight-foot ceilings look a little higher.

“Since pickleball is such a social sport, an at-home court has become the latest entertaining feature, like an outdoor kitchen or a pizza oven,” noted Metalois. 

When people are house hunting, they want to see themselves living in that home. They want to see the family dinners around the kitchen table, they want to envision the barbecue with friends in the backyard, and they definitely want to see if their own pickleball court - or one nearby - could be in their future.

That’s the kind of information I need when I’m house hunting.

My future home needs to have a pickleball court. It's just non-negotiable at this point.