If your listing has a dedicated home office, consider playing it up in your marketing. With more Americans telecommuting for work, the need for a home office is growing, according to a new Forbes.com report. Nearly 3 percent of the U.S. workforce—or about 4 million workers—now telecommutes for at least half of their work time.
Between 2005 and 2015, regular remote work surged 115 percent, Forbes.com notes. Builder Magazine has called the dedicated home office one of buyers’ favorite choices among bonus rooms. “More people are working remotely, and buyers want a dedicated work space,” says Christine Drimalla, GRI, SRES, a broker with Baird & Warner in Winnetka, Ill. “They want to be in sunlit spaces with plenty of natural light, where they can access the rest of their home. I hear from buyers all the time that they want an office on the main floor so they can quickly go to the front door or kitchen when needed.”
More builders reportedly are adding a main-floor home office or flexible space to their floor plans, often near the open-concept kitchen, dining, or great room. “Buyers like that they can work close to the hub of the home, where they can keep an eye on children and easily grab snacks or coffee from the kitchen,” says Jeff Benach, a principal with Lexington Homes. “Then, when done working, they can close off the space with the beautiful French doors.”
Source: “Telecommuting’s Growing Popularity Boosts Home Office Appeal,” Forbes.com (Feb. 26, 2019)
