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Yes, installing a tennis court can be a worthwhile home improvement project that adds value to your property. The potential increase in value can range from $20,000 to $150,000, and in some cases, the return on investment can cover more than 60% of the installation cost. However, the impact on value heavily depends on the size of your property. For homes with multiple acres, a tennis court is often a valuable amenity. In contrast, for homes on smaller lots, installing a court can decrease the property's value because it consumes a significant portion of the usable yard space. It's crucial to consider your property size and the remaining usable yard before proceeding.

An FHA appraisal is valid for 180 days from the effective date of the report. In some cases, you can have the appraisal recertified if you make your request before the original expires so that you still may obtain an FHA loan. If approved, your appraisal update is valid for one year.

In most cases, installing a tennis court on your property will drive up your property taxes. Property taxes are determined, in part, based on improvements made to your property, which includes anything with a permanent foundation. Since most home tennis courts include a large concrete foundation, your property taxes will likely increase following the installation. A general rule of thumb is that if your project requires permits—like for a foundation or fencing for a tennis court—then your property taxes will be affected.

The differences between market value and appraised value depend on the local market, so they can match, or either one can be higher than the other. In a “seller’s market,” where there is an abundance of buyers, market value will likely sit higher than the appraised value because there’s more demand for the low inventory of homes. In a “buyer’s market,” where there are more homes than there are buyers, the market value is more likely to sit below the appraised value to entice buyers.