Honey, We're Home (All. The. Time.)

The housing market is going strong in Los Angeles.  Buyer activity is high, and interest rates are low. Inventory is still tight, so home sellers are still able to command strong prices.  Homebuyers need to shop differently due to the pandemic, and what they’re looking for has shifted a bit.  

According to consultants at Caliber Home Loans, more buyers are seeking homes in the suburbs, where access to community amenities like grocery stores, testing sites, and open spaces make life easier. What’s on the list of must-haves in a home is shifting as well.  The number 1 and 2 items on the lists are Home Office and Private Outdoor Space. At the top of the list is a dedicated home office. A recent poll conducted by the website Houzz found that 25% of people currently working from home are doing so from their kitchen table – with one in ten working from the couch. For those used to going into the office every day, having a dedicated workspace may not have been on the original list when home shopping. Homes on the market that offer either private office space or a dedicated nook to work in are more appealing than ever to buyers.  If you’re planning on listing your home and do not have a separate space, you can create one to attract buyers by doing carving out space in a nook or entryway or turning a hall closet into an office by adding built-ins. Not surprisingly -  especially in LA -  is the need for outdoor space.  We love indoor/outdoor living in general here, but with more and more people staying at home, it’s become critical for our mental health to have space to enjoy the outside, without leaving the house. Homes with pools, inviting patios, outdoor kitchens and fire pits are selling more quickly than those without.  Many buyers these days who had a condo or townhouse in mind are shifting their focus toward looking at single-family homes, as they know they’ll spend a lot more time there! If you’re not currently in the home of your dreams with a private office and an outdoor oasis, check out these articles from The Spruce and All Modern on ideas to make the most of your space. https://www.thespruce.com/stylish-small-home-offices-4154965 https://www.allmodern.com/sca/inspiration/inspiration/5-ways-to-maximize-your-small-outdoor-space-T1806