Is 'working from home' affecting property purchases?

Working from home is now the new normal for millions of people across the UK. This is, of course, because of the coronavirus pandemic and the efforts individuals and businesses are making across the UK to stay at home and to stay safe.

Zoom calls and makeshift home offices are now commonplace, with long commutes and packed lunches a distant memory. The growth of the ‘working from home’ brigade has certainly been exacerbated by coronavirus, but the number of people working from home in the UK has been growing exponentially over the last few years anyway.

According to the latest research by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), 30% of UK employees worked from home at some point during 2019. The same research shows that the percentage of people that mainly work from home has increased since 2015. Further to this, Lloyds Bank provided financial website This is Money with exclusive data earlier this year showing that almost a quarter of Brits ‘work flexibly across different locations.’  So, is the working from home trend set to continue? And if it is then how will it affect people’s house-buying decisions and their interior design?

CHOOSING A HOME OR HOME OFFICE?

It appears as though working from home is becoming so popular that it is now a factor in people’s house choices. The aforementioned Lloyds Bank survey for This is Money also found that ‘two in five workers say when hunting a new property, it's important there is suitable space to work from home.’ 

In regard to the space required for remote working, ‘a purpose-created home office is the most common location from which to work, with almost a third using such a space, followed by the living room, dining room, bedroom and kitchen.’ Property expert Savills has also recently conducted some research with their registered buyers and sellers across the UK. The research found that many more buyers are considering a village or countryside location for their next move. 

It is thought that the increased number of people who are working from home has had an effect on this, with Frances Clacy of the agency’s research team commenting: “Well-connected village locations, ideal for those who can split their working week between home and office, are likely to be in particular demand.” People may also find the idea of moving to the countryside, and therefore a longer commute to the city, to be more palatable if they are going to be travelling less and working from home more. 

DESIGNING THE PERFECT 'WORKING FROM HOME' SPACE

Working from home has many advantages – no commute, no distracting office gossip, no expensive city centre parking to name but a few – but it can also end disastrously if you don’t get into the groove and watch too much daytime TV. So how do you create a space or an area that conveys an industrious and dynamic atmosphere that is perfect for home working? First of all, you have to consider what is essential for you:

• How much desk space do you need?
• Do you need any storage?
• Do you need absolute peace and quiet or can you focus even when surrounded by the hustle and bustle of everyday life?
• Do you have much equipment to help you work?
• Can your work belongings be left out or must they be put away whenever you are not working?

Once you have answered these questions, you can decide whether you can just set yourself up with a nook somewhere or whether you need a dedicated room. 

Then it’s just a case of scouring Pinterest and Instagram to find the most inspirational home office interior design!

THE FUTURE OF 'WORKING FROM HOME'

Even when the official ‘lockdown’ of the UK has ended, social distancing in public places, public transport and in workplaces may well remain in place for much longer. Additionally, many businesses may simply realise that the workforce is more efficient, more productive and more content when they are allowed to work from home, at least for some of the week. 

Advances in technology are also helping to make working from home much easier due to better internet connections and shared filing systems. It seems as though Zoom calls and ‘commutes’ from bedrooms to kitchen tables or home offices may just be what lingers in the UK after coronavirus has long since faded away. 

Harvey Homes’ properties at Swan Green in Knutsford are all perfectly designed to support working from home. All the homes at the development have sizable and flexible living spaces and many of the larger four and five-bedroom properties have ‘spare’ rooms that can be put to whatever use the buyer wants i.e. a home office – just like in the photo above!

The local village of Lower Peover is also the ideal countryside location, full of useful amenities for people working from home and also well-connected to the city of Manchester and the airport. 

We have received an uplift in enquiries during the past three months with many viewers commenting on the large and flexible living spaces of our homes. If you are looking for a new start then make sure you contact our sales teams on 0161 468 2728 or email hello@harvey-Homes.co.uk.