Now that we’re several weeks into shelter in place orders, it’s hard not to notice every detail of our respective homes; after all, we’ve been spending a lot of time within the same four walls.
We may even ponder questions like: Do we have ample office space to maintain our remote employee responsibilities? Do our children have a dedicated space to complete their school assignments? Is the kitchen big enough to hold nightly family dinners?
As we move toward a renewed way of life, I predict a likely shift in home buying preferences post-coronavirus era. Homebuyers’ wish lists may look a bit different; from changes in the kinds of properties, features and amenities and even locations, here are a few trends to expect.
Location
Those who once wished for a small space near the hustle and bustle of the city may want to trade in their urban dreams for a single family home in the suburbs with ample green space and larger square footage. They may want to steer clear of close living quarters found in condominium complexes and other tight spaces.
Home Office
In addition to having more space, a single family home can also accommodate a home office more easily --- something post pandemic homebuyers will likely add to their wish lists. If a large portion of the population continues to work from home, space for a dedicated home office may become a more widely-sought-after amenity.
Large Kitchen
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how to cook for ourselves at home. More families are spending a large part of their day in the kitchen preparing meals and snacks for their household. In the future, I imagine that potential homebuyers will ask themselves: “The kitchen is nice but would I want to be quarantined here?”
Dedicated Playroom
Most children have shifted to attending school via online learning, and as homebuyers look to the future, they may be searching for a dedicated play space where kids have room to complete their school work. Buyers may want an area where they can put a desk so their kids can hook up a computer or other devices necessary in completing daily tasks.
One thing is for certain, real estate agents will need to work effectively to navigate transactions and adapt to their client’s post-pandemic wish lists.
