If the pandemic has taught us anything about the way we live, it’s that our homes are our sanctuaries. Homeowners are increasingly seeing their home as a place where all needs—work, school, play, exercise, and entertainment—must be met.
With people hunkered down in their houses for the past several months, they’ve had time to evaluate what’s missing from where they live and what changes could make their lives easier. Some have decided to purchase a home for the first time, and others have chosen to sell and move to another location that offers more space.
Buyers Have New Wish Lists 1) Buyers are interested in single-family homes with more square footage
There are a lot of reasons for this. Not only are buyers working from home, many have children who are doing online schooling. As people are home more, buyers are looking for space to be together but to not be on top of each other.
2) Buyers need a home office
Working remotely has been a growing trend over the past decade. However, the pandemic and the business lockdown have accelerated the shift by necessity. The respondents to a realtor.com survey underscored that shift. While 35 percent of consumers worked remotely before COVID, 37 percent reported shifting to remote work as a result of the pandemic.
Realtor.com asked consumers who reported working remotely where they conduct the majority of their work. Half of respondents answered that they work in a home office, while 15 percent indicated they used a bedroom. Another 13 percent of consumers mentioned they work in the living room, and 12 percent stated that they use the kitchen table. A smaller minority move from room to room, depending on other family members.
Our family moved a year ago to give me a home office. I was having difficulty working from the bedroom or the kitchen table. The home we chose also has a large storage room that we were able to convert to an office for my husband. Home offices are a need now!
3) Outdoor space is important when staying home
As our homes are a place to entertain ourselves, buyers value it more. Zillow also notes the benefits of being able to use yard space throughout the year:
“People want more space in their next home, and one way to get it is by turning part of the backyard into a functional room, ‘an outdoor space for play as well as entertaining or cooking.’”
4) A home gym
Staying healthy and active is a top priority for many Americans. With various levels of concern around the safety of returning to health clubs across the country, dreams of space for a home gym are growing stronger. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans explains:
“For many in quarantine, a significant decrease in activity is more than a vanity issue – it’s a mental health issue.”
Having room to maintain a healthy lifestyle at home – mentally and physically – may prompt you to consider a new place to live that includes space for at-home workouts.
Backyard Real Estate Chat:
Buyers are mainly interested in single-family homes with more square footage.
Wellness-centric amenities that combat the spread of the coronavirus and promote healthy physical and mental living are growing in popularity.
If you can't find the space in your current home and are looking to buy or sell, don't hesitate to contact me!
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