Over the years, I can’t tell you how many potential home buyers have stressed to me the importance of finding a new house with a dedicated home office. And, for a large percentage of them, that hyperfocus on office space was a bit of a mistake. 

Technology, first it was laptops – now is smart phones and iPads, made the need for a dedicated office overrated. People could answer emails from the couch, at the dinner table or in their backyard and the home office became the place where coats were thrown over chairs and unopened mail sat on the desk.In fact, I have some close friends whose cats used the home office to nap all day because no one ever went in there to bother her. 

However, with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing many employees to become full time remote workers for the foreseeable future, home buyers are now justified in putting the home office as one of the “must haves” when looking at real estate. 

You may think any extra bedroom will work fine, but with many kids learning remotely and and people spending more time at home, there are several things to consider when thinking about making your office as productive as possible:

1. Privacy = Productivity – Having an office setup separate from the rest of the house is ideal because it makes it less likely to be sucked in by the many at-home distractions that we all have. Working in the house is tough with our kids also at home. You don’t want your office to be right next to a teenager playing video games. 

2. Good Lighting – Many people looking for a new home prioritize natural light, When setting up your office for work-from-home success, make sure your workspace is well-lit. In fact, many people find that sitting by a large window with natural light elevates their mood and keeps them motivated. And, if you have a job that requires a lot of zoom video calls, remember that you don’t want to look like you’re in the witness protection program.  Adequate lighting and a pleasing backdrop can make those calls more professional.

3. Size Matters – When clients look at an empty room, it can be difficult to judge just how much space you need. Depending on your job, you’ll need a desk & chair, a file cabinet for secure storage, shelves and a printer. You may also need a sofa if you host clients or colleagues in-person. When you start adding equipment and personal touches a small room can get a lot smaller in a hurry.  I often recommend at least a 200 sq ft room, which is about the size of a large bedroom.

One last bonus tip: make sure your office is close enough to your router so you have he fastest possible internet connection.

Are you ready to find your next home with an upgraded home office? Contact our team at  BeckysBuys.com

-Becky