According to surveys conducted by the National Association of Realtors, the top three features buyers wanted last year were: laundry room, patio and garage storage.
This year, after spending months working from home because of COVID, priorities have shifted. In 2020 buyers are wanting more space. The top feature buyers said they wanted by far was a home office… followed by more space inside and out for family, more personal space, a yard both for growing fruits/vegetables and for exercise, broadband internet access, a bigger kitchen, acreage, and a swimming pool!
Among buyers who were were thinking about a move to a different area, 47% indicated they were interested in moving to the suburbs, 39% were looking at rural areas, and 25% indicated a desire to live in small towns.
Many homeowners who are staying put are trying to to carve out more space for a dedicated home office. When they find indoor space too crowded or noisy, some are turning outside to their backyard.
Companies like Kanga Room Systems…
and Studio Shed are providing complete prefab backyard office shed solutions, some even with bathroom options.
Studio Shed said their orders for backyard office sheds have doubled over last year, with April sales alone 4 times over last year.
“It’s this little structure where you can feel like you’re working miles away, even though you’re only 30 feet away.”
