For St. Louis, St. Charles County
and pretty much everywhere, the home office has become a much more important
part of home. Not only did the recent COVID-19 quarantines keep many working at
home, home based businesses, Internet jobs and other work–from-home jobs are
more popular than ever. In real estate that means if you are selling a home, a
home office is a great selling point that adds value to the home.
What people want in a home office:
Privacy
People are looking for an area that
offers privacy, especially since there are often two people working from the
home, children, or guests present in the home. Phone or computer meetings may
require you to talk louder than normal, so having a door to shut or an office
in the lower level offers maximum privacy.
Since more people are working from home on a regular basis, it may be
that the work being done may be more confidential in nature so out-of-sight
storage is critical.
Function
Function has become more important than
the past when a home office was often about looks. Function includes a workstation or desk and chair but also includes the ability to access the home Wi-Fi
connection. You’ll get bonus points for having a nice place to setup a camera
to point at oneself for video conferencing.
Outlets
Computers, phones and printers need
to be plugged in, so having sufficient electrical outlets is a necessity. If
adding a home office to a room without adequate outlets, be prepared to use an
extension cord and surge protector (taped down and/or hidden by a floor runner
rug).
Light
While some home workers prefer
natural light, others prefer limited light. Both can be achieved if the
home office has or is near a window. Add blinds, shades or curtains to control
natural light levels and a lamp for those who prefer limited or added light to
accommodate your home office needs when both on and off the computer.
Storage
Hidden storage opportunities add
value to a home office. Did you know a tidy workspace is supposed to help keep a clearer mind? Whether that’s true or not, it’s important to have places to
put away important papers and other office items.
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If you are currently preparing a
home to sell, it’s a good idea to have a home office or workspace setup to fulfill
the needs of the many at-home workers. Be sure it includes the items above to
make it as desirable as possible. If you are currently looking to buy a home
with more office space, contact The Boehmer Team. Our experienced Buyer
Specialists may already know of a property that might fulfill your needs or can
help you find the perfect home for you.
