Selling Your Home – The Real Estate Beat

Is the Home Office Getting a Pink Slip? – Shared Article

Designers and stagers are finding ways to offer people who work from home more versatility than a dedicated workspace often provides.

Home office with no one there — © PrathanChorruangsak – iStock/Getty Images Plus

Even though remote work remains commonplace, some real estate professionals and home stagers say the home office is losing its luster. Many home buyers are reclaiming this space for other nonwork uses.

The shunning of the home office is already taking root at The Astor, a recently restored luxury condo building in New York. Ash Staging, an interior design and home staging firm, recently chose to omit the home office when styling a model residence in the historic building. The firm transformed the fourth bedroom, traditionally a home office, into a flexible den with lounging space geared toward relaxation, entertainment or as a quiet nook for work. The sales team at the building believes this setup is resonating more with home buyers.

Living room with office nook — © Christian Harder

“We continue to see luxury buyers valuing flexibility and versatility in their space,” says Kyle Egan, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman who handles sales at The Astor. “So, this area was designed as a cozy lounge and media room with a desk nook that can serve as a work spot when needed. We’ve seen a very positive response to this setup as buyers continue to seek out layouts and floorplans that allow the freedom to customize their home to fit their lifestyle.”

Drawing from similar inspiration, the real estate and design team at 53 West 53, a Manhattan condo tower with 161 residences, also decided to exclude the home office in a recent home staging project. Instead, the sales team converted an office space into a game lounge complete with a fully stocked minibar and foosball table.

Living room with lounge and foosball table — © Evan Joseph

Quitting the Home Office

Recent studies have shown that at-home workers have flexibility when choosing where in the home to work. They’re no longer tethered to cords and outlets, and they don’t need to plug into a dedicated space each day. They can easily take a laptop to a kitchen island, living room sofa or even a neighborhood coffee shop.

About one-third of consumers who work remotely say they have a dedicated office space at home, according to the “State of Remote Work 2023(link is external),” a study conducted by social media technology firm Buffer. But of that group, 45% say their “home office” is located within another room, like a bedroom, kitchen or living room. Fourteen percent of remote workers say they prefer to move from room to room during their workday.

Some homeowners may prefer not to devote an entire space to a home office. They’re seeking an easily adaptable, flexible space, whether that’s for entertainment, lounging or even the occasional work, Egan says. “Homes became everything for people during the pandemic—their office, their movie theater, their bar and restaurant, their kids’ classroom and even more,” he adds. “Now that many people are back to working in offices, at least part of the time, they’re ready to ditch the home office and incorporate a flexible space that brings more fun and vibrancy back into the home.”

Not a Singular Space

Egan says study or work nooks may offer the same benefits as a larger home office. However, the goal remains the same: prioritizing design and comfort. “We recognize the modern buyer’s desire to blend functionality and aesthetics without compromising valuable space,” he says, noting this trend may accelerate in dense markets like New York.

Researchers have been studying the design of home office spaces and what works best for productivity. Many studies attribute a dedicated office space to a boost in productivity and avoiding constant distractions. But the studies also acknowledge that’s not possible for everyone.

Georgia Southern University reviewed numerous studies(link is external) that explored home office design during the pandemic. The review found the best results from a home office that prioritizes ergonomics and elements from nature and takes into account light and noise. Regardless of where that “office” is located and whether it has to serve multiple purposes, a few research-backed tips for setting up an at-home workspace include:

Pick a spot near natural daylight, preferably near a window. Otherwise, add ambient and task lighting.
Use headphones to block out noise, if needed, and portable screen dividers to block out visual distractions if you don’t have a dedicated workspace.
Incorporate nature or go outside for fresh air occasionally. Set up your workspace near greenery and plants—nature views have been tied to increased energy for remote workers.
Get moving: Studies suggest that remote workers make a point to stand up and move around for at least two minutes every 30 minutes during the workday to help avoid eye strain, back pain and headaches.
Add in a recreational spot. Researchers suggest having a lounging area in or near your office for a different type of seating than a desk chair for short breaks.

Egan says he believes more home shoppers will continue to prioritize multi-use spaces inside the home for work and play. As such, his company will continue to stage homes to showcase how spaces can be used in multiple ways. “We want to show the adaptability of the space and its ability to be integrated into all lifestyles—from gathering with friends to hosting a family movie night to taking a work call,” Egan says.

Content by Melissa Dittmann Tracey

Melissa Dittmann Tracey is a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine, editor of the Styled, Staged & Sold blog, and produces a segment called “Hot or Not?(link is external)” in home design that airs on NAR’s Real Estate Today radio show. Follow Melissa on Instagram and Twitter at @housingmuse.

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When You Sell Your House, Where Do You Plan To Go? – Shared Article

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If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard the supply of homes for sale is still low, and that means your house should stand out to buyers who are craving more options. But you may also be wondering, once you sell, how does the current supply impact your own move? And, will you be able to find a home you want to buy with inventory this low?

One thing that can help you find your next home is exploring all your options, including both homes that have been lived in before as well as newly built ones. Let’s look at the benefits of each one.

The Pros of Newly Built Homes

First, let’s look at the advantages of purchasing a newly constructed home. With a brand-new home, you’ll be able to:

Create your perfect home. If you build a home from the ground up, you’ll have the option to select the custom features you want, including appliances, finishes, landscaping, layout, and more.
Cash-in on energy efficiency. When building a home, you can choose energy-efficient options to help lower your utility costs and reduce your carbon footprint.
Minimize the need for repairs. Many builders offer a warranty, so you’ll have peace of mind on unlikely repairs. Plus, you won’t have as many little projects to tackle.
Have brand new everything. Another perk of a new home is that nothing in the house is used. It’s all brand new and uniquely yours from day one.

The Pros of Existing Homes

Now, let’s compare that to the perks that come with buying an existing home. With a pre-existing home, you can:

Explore a wider variety of home styles and floorplans. With decades of homes to choose from, you’ll have a broader range of floorplans and designs available.
Join an established neighborhood. Existing homes give you the option to get to know the neighborhood, community, or traffic patterns before you commit.
Enjoy mature trees and landscaping. Established neighborhoods also have more developed landscaping and trees, which can give you additional privacy and curb appeal.
Appreciate that lived-in charm. The character of older homes is hard to reproduce. If you value timeless craftsmanship or design elements, you may prefer an existing home.

The choice is yours. When you start your search for the perfect home, remember that you can go either route – you just need to decide which features and benefits are most important to you. As an article from The Mortgage Reports says:

“When building, you gain more freedom to tailor the design, materials, and features, but it demands more time and involvement. Conversely, buying an established home offers immediate occupancy . . . yet may require compromises. Your choice should align with your budget, timeline, customization preferences, and the local real estate landscape.”

Either way, working with a local real estate agent throughout the process is mission-critical to your success. They’ll help you explore all of your options based on what matters most to you in your next home. Together, you can find the home that’s right for you.

Bottom Line

If you have questions about the options in your area, connect with a local real estate agent to discuss what’s available and what’s right for you. That way you’ll be ready to make your next move with confidence.

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Why Your House Didn’t Sell – Shared Article

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If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you’re also probably wondering what went wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.

Did You Limit Access to Your House?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. Being flexible with your schedule is important when you’re selling your house, even though it might feel a bit stressful to drop everything and leave when buyers want to see it. After all, minimal access means minimal exposure to buyers. ShowingTime advises:

“. . . do your best to be as flexible as possible when granting access to your house for showings.”

Sometimes, the most determined buyers might come from far away. Since they’re traveling to see your house, they may not be able to change their plans easily if you only offer limited times for showings. So, try to make your house available as much as you can to accommodate them. It’s simple. If no one’s able to look at it, how’s it going to sell?

Did You Make Your House Stand Out?

When selling your house, the old saying matters: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Putting in the work to make the exterior of your home look nice is just as important as how you stage it inside. Freshen up your landscaping to improve your home’s curb appeal so you can make an impact upfront. As an article from U.S. News says:

“After all, if people drive by, but aren’t interested enough to walk through the front door, you’ll never sell your house.”

But don’t let that impact stop at the front door. By removing personal items and reducing clutter inside, you give buyers more freedom to picture themselves in the home. Additionally, a new coat of paint or cleaning the floors can go a long way to freshening up a room.

Did You Price Your House Compellingly?

Setting the right price is extremely important when you’re selling your house. Even though it might feel tempting to push the price higher to maximize your profit, overpricing can scare away buyers and make it hard to sell quickly. Business Insider notes:

“. . . the biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing their home.”

If your house is priced higher than others like it, it could make buyers lose interest. Pay attention to the feedback people give your agent during open houses and showings. If lots of people are saying the same thing, it might be a good idea to think about lowering the price.

For all these insights and more, rely on a trusted real estate agent. A great agent will offer expert advice on relisting your house with effective strategies to get it sold.