How a Home Office Increases Appeal to Homebuyers

A designated home office space can be an attractive feature for a property to have, and one that an increasing number of homebuyers find appealing.  Once a luxury found in mostly higher-end homes, today offices are being incorporated into layouts of many types of homes. Here are some of the reasons why home offices have become so popular:

  • A home office offers a central space for computers, files, records, and for activities such as bill paying and family scheduling. Offices also provide a designated space for paperwork, documents, and other necessary items that otherwise can be difficult to organize and store.
  • Another advantage is that an office gets desks, computers, and clutter out of other living spaces, like kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. If the office has a door, the room can even be closed off when desired.
  • Technology enables more and more people to work remotely, and a home office gives them a separate space where they can concentrate and get their jobs done. The same goes for people with careers that offer flex time.
  • A home office can also offer school-aged children a quiet space for studying. Students can get their work done without interruption and the rest of the household doesn’t have to worry about disturbing them.
  • Parents can monitor technology use more effectively from a central point. When computers and tablets are kept in a home office, it can be easier to enforce screen time limits and to track browsing history.
  • An office that incorporates built-in bookcases, shelves, cabinets, or a closet offers important additional storage space in a home. It can also provide display space for books, awards, artwork, and collectibles.
  • Office space can add valuable square footage to floor plans. Depending on the design and location of the space, some home offices can count as another bedroom which can also add value to listings.
  • When a home’s design positions the home office off a living room, den, or bedroom, the space can be visually expanded. The main rooms often seem larger, even without adding a lot of square footage.

When layouts don’t allow for a separate room, home offices can be incorporated into kitchens, living rooms, or bedrooms with built-in desks and shelves. In certain configurations, offices can also be carved out of hallway or stairway landing space. If you have a listing with a home office area of any type, be sure to highlight this desirable feature in the description to attract buyers.