Has the Pandemic Changed Housing Needs?

Have you been cooped up at home during the pandemic? If you are like most people, you’ve probably given some thought to your home and its functionality, especially in light of these last 18 months. Are there features in your home that you love? Great! But, if you have a new wish list now that remote working and homeschooling have become a thing, you are not alone. Many homeowners are taking a fresh look at their home’s function because their lifestyles and needs have changed. A lot.

Will we start to see pandemic-inspired features showing up more in homes?

According to a recent article from SRES.com and The America at Home Study, how people view their homes post-pandemic shows a clear shift in their preferences and needs. So, what are homeowners looking for in a home?

According to the study, here are the findings:

• More than 30% want home office space for more than one person. They also want adaptable space.
• The top responses to questions about people’s idea of the home were a safe place, family, and comfort.
• Couples with kids are willing to pay for better home offices with doors and also for better soundproofing.
• People are looking for nature and open spaces, dog parks, and small neighborhood parks in their communities.

You might also find it interesting to learn how some people started using their garage:

• Additional storage (78%)
• Home gym/exercise (74%)
• Home office/workspace (70%)
• Craft/game areas (67%)
• Pet grooming areas (67%)

People have definitely gotten creative. A home’s space and the utilization of that space have become incredibly important to most of us. Do you want flex space that can serve your family’s different needs and lifestyles? How about a house that evolves as needs change? Zoom room anyone? That’s a thing in some new developments. Really.

So, if you are like most respondents, you can probably sum up what you want in your home in three words:    Comfort. Safety. Adaptability. Fair enough. Isn’t that what we all want? Especially now.