Since COVID-19 hit the country, closing businesses and schools, the phrase, “new normal,” became a part of everyday speech. As the housing market starts to pick up again, real estate agents see different must-have lists become a new normal in the post-COVID-19 world. Let’s take a look at some of the amenities homebuyers are seeking as a result of the global pandemic.
In-home office space
City-dwellers forced to quarantine in cramped apartments are now seeking more spacious homes. This isn’t only a result of feeling claustrophobic, but also due to the number of companies allowing their employees to continue working remotely.
Many found themselves lacking adequate space and privacy to perform their duties for those fortunate enough to have jobs that smoothly transitioned to remote work. As a result, buyers are looking for homes with office space, as well as space for them to both move about freely and have privacy with family at home. And for those areas continuing remote learning in the fall, that space is more important than ever for those families with school-aged children at home. Whereas space was considered a luxury, it’s now considered a necessity post-COVID-19.
Spacious kitchens
Even the most inept cooks found themselves spending additional time in the kitchen when restaurants closed, and grocery stores ran low on supplies. Even with restaurants open for curbside pickup and offering dining options, many people are remaining cautious. As a result, Americans continue to cook at home more, meaning kitchen layouts are more important than ever. Kitchens are again the hub of the household, and the more spacious, the better for potential buyers.
Private spaces
Without a vaccine, families are spending more time than ever at home. Whereas condos and houses were once seen as places just to eat and sleep, they’re now places where people are spending the majority of their waking hours. This means buyers are looking for more and seeing their living space very differently from before when they spent at least 10-12 hours of their day outside the home.
Quarantine made many families distinctly aware of how much or how little space they had, spending minimal time outside or running errands. School-aged children found their classrooms moved home, as remote and virtual learning options became the norm. And for those parents fortunate enough to take advantage of telework options, this translated into many full houses.
Now buyers seek separate bedrooms for children and large living room or den spaces for the entire family to enjoy private, quiet time. Again, items once thought of as luxuries, like one bedroom per child and additional recreational areas, are now considered necessities to accommodate increased time at home.
The great outdoors
If you haven’t noticed, space is the theme here. With people spending more time at home, they’re looking to increase their entertainment opportunities at home. Outdoor space, while always a sought after feature, is more critical than ever. We’ll likely see buyers look to be able to take advantage of the outdoors while maintaining distance from people outside their households. And as people tentatively begin expanding their social circles, you’ll likely see more people entertaining in their outdoor areas than restaurants and bars teeming with people.
In multi-family communities, those amenities traditionally seen as luxuries are now not as popular. Community pools, gyms, and shared spaces are not ideal as people look to distance themselves from others. Think detached, single-family homes with plenty of rooms and a large lawn or yard area—this is what buyers are looking for in the post-COVID-19 world.
For more on COVID-19 and the real estate comeback, check out HomeLight’s Top Agent Insight Survey from Q2.
