If you are not sure how much longer you can work from home in the present situation and are considering moving to accommodate a better work environment – you are not alone. I am hearing frequently from customers wanting to know what is it going to take to make a change, and if they should do it now, or wait longer. If you’ve been working from home this year, chances are you’ve been at it a little longer than you initially expected. Businesses all over the country have figured out how to operate remotely to keep their employees healthy, safe, and productive. For many, it may be carrying into next year, and possibly beyond. There are quite a few studies that show working from home is here to stay. In addition, for local air quality and traffic there are many in Utah who are advocating to continue work from home options.
While the pandemic continues, Americans are re-evaluating their homes, floorplans, locations, needs, and more. Some need more space, while others need less. Whether you’re renting or own your home, if remote work is part of your future, you may be thinking about moving, especially while today’s mortgage rates are so low.
A recent study from Upwork notes:
“Anywhere from 14 to 23 million Americans are planning to move as a result of remote work.”
To put this into perspective, last year, 6 million homes were sold in the U.S. This means roughly 2 – 4X as many people are considering moving now, and there’s a direct connection to their ability to work from home.
It is also interesting to note that with the ability to work from home, your choices of where to live change. Many seem to be considering cities that they would not have considered prior to needing to work from home. If your commute is non-existent does it change where you would choose to live.
The same study also notes while 45.3% of people are planning to stay within a 2-hour drive from their current location, 41.5% of the people who are citing working from home as their primary reason for making a move are willing to look for a home more than 4 hours away from where they live now (See graph below):In some cases, moving a little further away from your current location might mean you can get more home for your money. If you have the opportunity to work remotely, you may have more options available by expanding your search. Upwork also indicates, of those surveyed:
“People are seeking less expensive housing: Altogether, more than half (52.5%) are planning to move to a house that is significantly more affordable than their current home.”
Whether you can eliminate your daily commute to the office, or you simply need more space to work from home, your plans may be changing. If that’s the case, it’s time to connect with a local real estate professional to assess your evolving needs and determine your path together.
Bottom Line
This has been a year of change, and what you need in a home is no exception. Let’s connect today to make sure you have expert guidance on your side to help you find a home that fits your remote work needs.
