In today’s evolving real estate landscape, the home work revolution has fundamentally reshaped the requirement of the future property purchasers. A house is no longer only a residence in which to unwind after work today, it needs to be an operating workplace as well. Having the ability to market and sell work-from-home features can be the difference between a quick sale and a house that lingers on the market too long. So let’s discuss how to effectively convert and sell areas to today’s telecommuter.
Learning About the Work-From-Home Buyer
Contemporary remote-work shoppers purchase homes with specific priorities that are quite different from homebuyers of previous times. They require functional spaces that are easily adaptable from professional to personal use. Privacy, natural lighting, soundproofing, and defined space for work equipment are among their priorities. Most are willing to sacrifice other amenities or even pay a premium for homes equipped with these work-friendly characteristics.
Identifying Convertible Spaces
Not all houses have a home office, but almost any property has spaces that can be repurposed as work spaces. In preparing a property for work-from-home purchasers, look for these opportunities:
- Underused formal dining rooms
- Underutilized guest bedrooms that are empty most of the year
- Finished basements that are well lighted and ventilated
- Alcoves or wide landings that will accommodate a workspace
- Porches or sunrooms with natural light
- Insulated attic space with ceiling height
The secret is to reveal the potential, not the current restrictions. Thoughtful furniture placement and strategic staging can transform a drab corner into an inspiring workspace.
Creating Visual Separation
One of the biggest remote work challenges is maintaining boundaries between work and personal life. Housing with distinctive visual and psychological distinctions between workspaces and dwelling spaces is a massive draw. In developing or recommending upgrades, make it a top priority to establish discrete areas that preserve work-life balance.
Room dividers, contrasting color paint, mixed floor materials, or ceiling height changes can all indicate transitions between work and play spaces. In studio apartments too, furniture placement and movable partition placement can create the illusion of separate spaces.
For open-plan living without natural division, suggest light measures like decorative screens, drapes, or strategic bookcase placement that allow flexibility while maintaining separation.
Maximizing Natural Light and Views
Productivity flourishes in light-filled spaces. Homes with high levels of natural light and pleasing views are of special interest to work-from-home purchasers who value the psychological advantage of these aspects.
When designing a work-from-home area, place workspaces near windows where possible. Clean windows meticulously before open houses, prune any landscaping that has overgrown and prevents light from entering, and install light-filtering window treatments instead of heavy ones to let maximum daylight in and minimize glare.
For areas that have minimal sunlight, strategically positioning mirrors will be able to intensify any sunlight present. Further, employing full-spectrum lighting devices will provide an imitation of daylight and lift the ambiance.
Sound Management Solutions
Acoustic considerations are typically ignored in traditional home staging but are a must for work-from-home clients. Conference calls and video meetings require rooms that have no background noise and echo.
Affordable solutions like area rugs, sound-reducing art, and strategically placed furniture can be a huge improvement in a room’s acoustics. For shared homes, highlighting features like connected double-core doors, double-pane windows, or sound-absorbing panels can alleviate concerns about distraction by noise.
Storage and Organization
Remote work generates paperwork and requires equipment. Homes with smart storage opportunities are especially important for work-from-home buyers. Shelving units built into the walls, cabinetry with file storage capability, and stealth charging stations can convert an ordinary room into a productive office.
When staging or renovating, incorporate organizational systems that allow work materials to be readily accessible during work hours but concealed by day’s end. This does the trick for accommodating the psychological transition from work to personal time—a significant factor in remote work satisfaction.
Marketing to the Work-From-Home Buyer
When marketing homes with work-from-home potential, be precise. Rather than vague description like “perfect for home office,” provide detailed information about what makes the space work-friendly. Detail internet speeds, proximity to coffee shops or coworking spaces for occasional change-of-scene days, and precise measurements of potential office spaces.
Professional photography needs to include staged work-from-home spaces that highlight the functional intent of these areas. Virtual tours could be used, highlighting the workflow shift from work to living area, so buyers can imagine their daily routine within the property.
Final Thoughts
As remote and hybrid work setups continue to change, home property amenities that facilitate productivity at home will continue to be a worthwhile selling point. Progressive real estate agents should keep an ear on new work-from-home trends and be ready to adapt their approaches accordingly. The best agents in this new world will be those who understand that they’re not just selling homes, they’re selling offices, retreats, and the infrastructure of modern life.
By intentionally catering to the specific needs of work-from-home clients, you’re establishing yourself as an expert in this new customer base and providing genuine value to clients who are making this shift to this new way of life and work.
Contact Cohen + White Associates at (413) 637-1086 for expert guidance on staging your home office or other spaces. Our real estate team understands what buyers in the Berkshires want and can help position your property for a successful sale.
