Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before – but there’s an upside: Your home office could help you sell your home this fall.
Here’s what you need to know.
Can Your Home Office Help Sell Your Home?
Right now, people are beginning to realize that their own homes may not be big enough – especially after being confined for such long periods of time. And one thing buyers are looking for are spacious, comfortable and easy-to-use home offices. In fact, according to realtor.com©, buyer demand for home office space has grown quite a bit since the beginning of the year. In a recent survey, 63 percent of respondents said that they wanted to buy a new home because they’re working remotely – and houses with a home office generally bring in about 3.4 percent more than homes without them. (Even more interesting: Homes with home offices sell about nine days faster than homes without them do.)
That means your home office can help you sell your home.
But what if you don’t have a home office? That’s okay – you may be able to convert an extra room into one. However, that’s something you should discuss with your REALTOR®. It turns out that buyers still would rather have more bedrooms than an office space, so if you have a three-bedroom home, converting one space into an office may not have the benefit you think it will.
What you can do in that situation is to create a dual-purpose space. Turn a bedroom into a guest room and home office at the same time by swapping out the bed for a sleeper sofa and adding a desk. And while you’re at it, update the closet by adding shelves and containers that can store office and bedroom supplies. Finally, stage it like a guest room, not just an office with a sofa inside.
Short of using a bedroom, you can still carve out other space to serve as workspace. Consider removing the buffet in your dining room and replacing it with a desk and chair, or turning any other unused area into a work-friendly haven. One thing to consider, though: Keep it away from the kitchen, where buyers know there’s always plenty of noise and other distractions.
Other things to focus on:
- Connectivity. If you have plenty of outlets for the internet – or if you’re fortunate enough to have a fiber connection – put them all on display.
- Stage your office space, even if it’s not really an office, so that it’s clean, clutter-free and efficiently designed.
- Stick to neutral colors in the office space and make sure there’s natural light.
- Remember that using only blinds – unless they’re custom blinds – can make a room look a little more stark than you intend for it to be. If your space only has blinds, consider adding light drapes or curtains to add a little bit of warmth.
- Feature the desk prominently in your office space so buyers can visualize themselves working there. Remember that placing a desk so it faces the entrance to the room is more dramatic than facing away – and it helps the space look less cluttered and more welcoming.
Are You Buying a Home in Knoxville?
If you’re ready to buy a home in Knoxville, I’ll help you find one that’s perfect for your needs. Call me at 865-368-5150 now and let’s talk!
