PROMOTION Home is where the office is? Local property expert Julian Rich from Garrngton Property Finders discusses how the increase in homeworking is having a significant effect on the local property market After two months of Lockdown, the property market was given the green light to return to action in May and to the surprise of many the level of activity, if you will forgive the pun, went through the rool. Many of the people flooding to buy were those whose existing plans to move had been thwarted by the pandemic, but a significant number were new to the market. These buyers have reacted to the enforced restrictions in movement and need two separate areas to work? If you have children, does the workspace need to be away from the hubbub of the family, either in a separate part of the property or perhaps an outbuilding in the garden? What broadband speed will you need and do your favourite areas provide this? Julian Rich GARRINGTON space and are now keen to find a new way of living and working. Also affecting the desire to move, and indeed where to, is the buyers' new understanding that it is possible to work effectively from home: living in a relatively small city or town property with little or no garden during a pandemic is not much fun and the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday offers an enticing window of opportunity to move home. Matters to consider the odd hour working away from the ofice. But of course, that has now all changed with many of the largest employers actively encouraging their staff to work from home and looking into the future to facilitate how they can support staff "Home and Roam' as colned by BT. Finding the solution With the increased number of buyers frantically looking for an effective homeworking environment, the choice of properties is receding and the competition to secure the ideal property has become Increasingly flerce. In light of this, some buyers are looking for properties that can be adapted to their future needs whether it be through an extension, conversion, or the installation of a garden office. Seeing opportunities and understanding what can be achieved via planning approval or permitted development rights is not always easy, particularly in a pressurised market. A local property finder will help you spot opportunities, assess the feasibility and advise you on areas to consider in the context of your needs and future lifestyle requirements. Ina difficult environment, where the clock is ticking, it pays to have a trusted advisor on your side. If you are looking to buy a more appropriate space for the new way of working, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. Questions to ask are: New needs Whilst in the past the most sought-after features by homebuyers have been access to excellent transport links, a garden for the children to play in, and an open-plan kitchen/diner, space to work has not been a priority for most. Before now most households accepted a corner in a room or, if they were lucky, a small study in which to complete household paperwork or for how often will you need to travel to the office and if it is considerably less, are you willing to increase your commute time or change the means of transport so you can consider areas further out? If both you and your partner are going to be working from home, can you work together, or do you If are looking to buy a property and would value some advice on the local market and the opportunities that exist, Garrington offers a commitment-free discussion with Julian Rich who would be delighted to share his knowledge of the area: 01423 206055 info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtonnortheast.co.uk PROMOTION Home is where the office is? Local property expert Julian Rich from Garrngton Property Finders discusses how the increase in homeworking is having a significant effect on the local property market After two months of Lockdown, the property market was given the green light to return to action in May and to the surprise of many the level of activity, if you will forgive the pun, went through the rool. Many of the people flooding to buy were those whose existing plans to move had been thwarted by the pandemic, but a significant number were new to the market. These buyers have reacted to the enforced restrictions in movement and need two separate areas to work? If you have children, does the workspace need to be away from the hubbub of the family, either in a separate part of the property or perhaps an outbuilding in the garden? What broadband speed will you need and do your favourite areas provide this? Julian Rich GARRINGTON space and are now keen to find a new way of living and working. Also affecting the desire to move, and indeed where to, is the buyers' new understanding that it is possible to work effectively from home: living in a relatively small city or town property with little or no garden during a pandemic is not much fun and the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday offers an enticing window of opportunity to move home. Matters to consider the odd hour working away from the ofice. But of course, that has now all changed with many of the largest employers actively encouraging their staff to work from home and looking into the future to facilitate how they can support staff "Home and Roam' as colned by BT. Finding the solution With the increased number of buyers frantically looking for an effective homeworking environment, the choice of properties is receding and the competition to secure the ideal property has become Increasingly flerce. In light of this, some buyers are looking for properties that can be adapted to their future needs whether it be through an extension, conversion, or the installation of a garden office. Seeing opportunities and understanding what can be achieved via planning approval or permitted development rights is not always easy, particularly in a pressurised market. A local property finder will help you spot opportunities, assess the feasibility and advise you on areas to consider in the context of your needs and future lifestyle requirements. Ina difficult environment, where the clock is ticking, it pays to have a trusted advisor on your side. If you are looking to buy a more appropriate space for the new way of working, there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. Questions to ask are: New needs Whilst in the past the most sought-after features by homebuyers have been access to excellent transport links, a garden for the children to play in, and an open-plan kitchen/diner, space to work has not been a priority for most. Before now most households accepted a corner in a room or, if they were lucky, a small study in which to complete household paperwork or for how often will you need to travel to the office and if it is considerably less, are you willing to increase your commute time or change the means of transport so you can consider areas further out? If both you and your partner are going to be working from home, can you work together, or do you If are looking to buy a property and would value some advice on the local market and the opportunities that exist, Garrington offers a commitment-free discussion with Julian Rich who would be delighted to share his knowledge of the area: 01423 206055 info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtonnortheast.co.uk