The last few months have resulted in changes in market conditions but also in the way most of us have had to conduct business. Open houses, showings, and client meetings were done via FaceTime, Zoom, and Teams; closings were held in title company parking lots; and we all realized the value of the place we call home. In addition to the way the business of real estate has been conducted, we are seeing a change in what buyers are looking for in a home. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, we have all had an abundance of time to evaluate what is important in a home and what we need. Increased functionality in our homes has suddenly become critical, and home buyers’ wants are reflecting this shift. Rooms and features that may have been considered a nice amenity are now being recategorized as a “must-have.” Features such as home offices, media rooms, pools, built-in desks for homework, and proximity to a park or a green space — all of which were once thought of as additional amenities — are now being considered by some with the same gravity as kitchens and master baths. Over the years, we have seen a decreased demand for dining rooms, but since the quarantine, the request for a home with one or a space for family dining has increased. Perhaps families dining together with more regularity has rekindled this tradition, reminding us of what is most important in a home, the ones we love.
Rick Wegman
Christies International Real Estate | Ulterre
817.584.7033