If I had listed the biggest concerns of prospective buyers before the pandemic, then commute times would have been in the top 10.
And that’s hardly surprising – who wants to lose hours of their life every day in traffic, or stand waiting for a bus or train where the seating has already been taken.
So, the overnight adoption of working from home created by the pandemic has opened the housing market up to thousands of folks who now don’t mind being a few extra miles from the boss.
In terms of the real estate market, this is great news for buyers and also homeowners in neighborhoods like ours who are looking to sell to either climb the property ladder or downsize.
As an experienced local agent, I believe homes with dedicated homeoffice environments may continue to be a hot item even after we’ve conquered the virus.
Why? Because the opportunity to work from home provides all of us a much better chance to achieve our optimal work-life balance.
If you’re thinking of selling but don’t have a dedicated workspace in your home, I would recommend addressing this to widen your appeal to prospective buyers. If you’d like advice on the best approach before spending money on the idea, I would be more than happy to appraise your home and provide you some advice. In the meantime, here are some tips to create a practical home office.
- Plan carefully – Don’t just think this is about buying a desk and chair. Your workspace needs to be functional and practical. How this is achieved will depend on the type of desk work you perform. Do you need multiple screens? Lots of storage? How much desk space is really required, and what else has to fit into the room?
- Get ergonomic – Purchase a good quality chair to ensure your comfort and wellbeing. Focus on the height of your desk, especially as it relates to the keyboard. Some desks have a lower shelf for the keyboard, as this helps keep your back straight and avoid back pain. Line up the screen so your eyes meet it two-thirds the way up. A desk that also allows you to stand may also be a good idea.
- Seek advice – Some employers will offer to undertake an ergonomic audit for you and may even provide appropriate equipment. If this is available to you, then take up the offer. If not, then consider asking for help.
- Prioritize tech – You’ll need a good internet connection. If you can’t connect to a data cable and your Wi-Fi is weak, then buy some extenders to overcome this problem. Make sure your choice of desk can accommodate a decent screen and any peripherals you use. If you have a PC, don’t put it on carpet, as it will collect dust and overheat. It must be placed off the ground.
- Avoid clutter – Promise yourself that you’re going to keep the workspace neat and tidy. Invest in cabinets, modular cubes or baskets and shelves to achieve this goal. This will ensure work doesn’t spill into the rest of the home.
- Light bulb moment – Position your screen away from any natural light, as this produces glare on your computer screen. The best lighting is directional, such as a desk lamp and overhead halogens that can be dimmed if necessary.
- Blend in – If space is tight, then select furniture that matches the rest of your home. This will ensure the office doesn’t appear awkward or badly designed.
- Divide and conquer – If you don’t have a separate space to convert into an office, buy a divider so your work doesn’t have a 24×7 presence in your life. Find a screen that you can decorate with fabric or a color that matches the rest of the room.