People across the United States have begun working from home more frequently. For many, this will be a long-term or permanent change. If your current living and working situation is less than ideal and you’re thinking about buying a new house, here are some things to consider.
Select a Location
If you’re going to work from home for the foreseeable future, you may be able to live practically anywhere, including a place where you had always dreamed of living but never imagined you would have the opportunity. Consider the region where you would like to make your new home, what type of community you would like to live in and whether you would like to be closer to family and friends..
Figure Out What You Need to Do Your Job
Focus on a house’s design and think about whether it would suit your work-from-home needs. Make aesthetic considerations secondary.
Create a list of things that are absolutely critical for you to work from home successfully, such as reliable internet access and other forms of technology, as well as other features that would be nice to have, such as privacy and lots of natural light. A list can guide you when you compare properties.
Find a House Where You Can Have a Dedicated Space to Work
A common area, such as the kitchen or living room, is not a good place to work, especially if other family members will be at home too. There will be too many distractions and you may get on each other’s nerves. It can also be hard to have video conferences in areas where other people are around.
Look for a house with a separate room that you can use as an office. It should have a door so you can have peace and quiet, as well as keep kids and pets out when you can’t be disturbed.
You should have an office that is spacious enough for you to work from home comfortably, but it doesn’t have to be a large room. In fact, a space that is too big may create more problems because it may become cluttered and disorganized.
Be Flexible
When you look at a house, you may envision your ideal work-from-home arrangement. After you move in, you may realize that your plan doesn’t work as well as you expected, or the demands of your job or your family’s needs may change. Choose a house that will give you flexibility so you can change your arrangement as needed.
Think About Your Finances
Working from home means you won’t have to spend money to commute, but that doesn’t mean that you should buy a much more expensive house than you currently own. Between mortgage payments, homeowners insurance, utilities, property taxes and other expenses, you may become strained financially. Get preapproved for a mortgage, consider all expenses and ask your real estate agent for advice on choosing a house that fits your needs and budget.
