Working from home is by no means a new thing. But, for millions of workers, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and massive lockdowns worldwide made working from home a necessity rather than an option. As the workforce increasingly looks to transition to telecommuting at least part of the time, the home office space has perhaps never been more important. But creating a great dedicated workspace in your home isn’t just going to help you as you adjust to our new telecommuting era, it’s also going to increase your home resale value.
As winter takes over in the northern hemisphere and the second surge grows, it doesn’t look like the telecommuting trend is going to dissipate anytime soon. However, many newly remote workers don’t seem all that keen to return to the office after the pandemic ends.
Consider your home resale value when adding a home office.
Setting the Stage
Whether you’re telecommuting temporarily, or you’re looking to make your home your permanent workplace, it’s essential to have a home office that sets you up for success. The unexpectedness of the pandemic didn’t give us a lot of time to prepare for this swift transition to the virtual office.
But now that we’ve had a bit of time to adjust, it’s time to start thinking about creating a space that meets your needs. No more plopping down with your laptop wherever you can find a wifi signal and an electrical outlet. No jockeying for space at the kitchen table amid your incessantly fighting kids and the constant drone of their virtual classes.
If you’re going to be productive, focused, and effective, you need a dedicated workspace. You need a home office where you can close the door, shut out distractions, and spend your day just as you would a day at the physical office.
That said, it’s not just enough to have a room where you can shut the door and do your work in peace and quiet. To make the most of your home office, you need to set a positive tone. This begins by ensuring that you have good lighting, a reliable, high-speed internet connection, and easy and organized access to everything you need to do your work.
You’re also going to want to invest in a comfortable, ergonomic chair — one that can help minimize neck and back strain for those long workdays. You might also consider getting a standing or adjustable desk to prevent sitting all day. Don’t forget space-saving organizers, shelves, and bookcases. This way, you’ll have everything within reach and know where everything is without the clutter!
Finally, setting the scene means including the finishing touches that inspire and soothe you. Lots of fresh green plants can warm up your office space, while attractive artwork, memorabilia, and knick-knacks that make you feel happy will turn your home office into an inviting space that you’re glad to spend your workday in.
Looking Ahead
Investing the time, effort, and money in creating the ideal home office isn’t just going to make you more productive while you’re telecommuting during the pandemic. A good home office can add significant value to your home in other ways. It can provide a respite from chaos when family is busy. And best of all, if you’re looking to sell your home, it can increase the resale value. This is becoming even more significant now that remote work has increased. People who work remotely will be more interested in a home that already has an office., thereby increasing the home resale value.
If the lockdowns have taught us anything, it’s the importance of having a home that provides lots of space, with many rooms where you can find privacy behind closed doors. Homebuyers, at least for the foreseeable future, are going to be looking for houses with dedicated spaces for a home office or discrete study areas for the kids.
And if you’re looking to go all-in to increase your home’s potential future resale value while creating the ultimate home office space for today, why not build an add-on? An insulated storage shed that’s wired for electricity can double as the perfect home office while giving you some physical distance from the activity of the house during your workday.
You can take the add-on in further and build an Accessory Dwelling Unit. Take the principle of the shed up a notch and build a second building like a stand-alone garage that also has a studio apartment on the second floor. This apartment can be used as your home office, and when you decide to sell your home, the new homeowner can do the same or convert the space into a mother-in-law suite or an income property. Versatility is key.
Bottom Line: Increasing Home Resale Value
A cozy and inspiring home office has long been the dream of busy professionals. However, in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, a good home office isn’t just a luxury. Now, and for the foreseeable future, it’s a necessity. Creating a home office that allows you to be truly productive and creative takes planning and effort, from finding the right space in the home to tricking it out with the best furnishings and most inviting decor. The odds are that a dedicated home office space is going to be a major selling point for home buyers for years to come. A great way to improve the home resale value.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
Never miss an episode of our real estate podcast. Install our FREE Podcast App available on iOS and Android. For your Apple Devices, click here to install our iOS App. For your Android Devices, click here to install our Android App. Check my videos on Youtube
