A lot has changed over the past year. For many people, the rise in remote work influenced what they’re looking for in a home and created a greater appetite for a dedicated home office or other work space. Some professionals took advantage of the situation and purchased a bigger home. Other people thought working from home would be temporary, so they chose to get creative and make the space they already had work for them. But recent headlines indicate working from home isn’t a passing fad.
If your client is still longing for a dedicated home office, now may be the time to find the home that addresses their evolving needs. More and more companies are delaying their plans to return to the office – others are deciding to remain fully remote permanently.
Voices are continuing to build behind the increased likelihood of a permanent switch. A survey conducted by Upwork of 1,000 hiring managers found that due to the pandemic, companies were planning more remote work now and in the years to come. Upwork elaborates:
“The number of remote workers in the next five years is expected to be nearly double what it was before COVID-19: By 2025, 36.2 million Americans will be remote, an increase of 16.8 million people from pre-pandemic rates.”
The charts below break down their findings and compare pre- and post-pandemic percentages.
How Does This Impact Homeowners?
If a client owns their home, it’s important to realize that continued remote work may present opportunities they didn’t know they had.
If your client is one of the nearly 23% of workers who will remain 100% remote:
They now have the option to move to a lower cost-of-living area or to the location of their dreams. If searching for a home in a more affordable area, they’ll be able to get more home for their money, freeing up more options for dedicated office space and additional breathing room.
They could also move to a location where they’ve always wanted to live – somewhere near the beach, the mountains, or simply a market that features the kind of weather and community amenities they’re looking for.
If they’re one of the almost 15% of individuals who will have a partially remote or hybrid schedule:
Relocating within a local area to a home that’s further away from an office could be a great choice. Since they won’t be going in to work every day, a slightly longer commute from a more suburban or rural neighborhood may be a worthy trade-off for a home with more features, space, or comforts.
Bottom Line
If ongoing remote work is changing what your clients need in a home, connect with them now to find one that checks all of their boxes.
