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It’s impossible to deny the many ways the increase in the number of remote workers since the pandemic has changed the housing landscape. Where once homebuyers focused on proximity to jobs and commute times, many now simply have to wake up and take a few steps to the next room to start work.
As a real estate agent, it’s important to consider your client’s work life and how that impacts the type of home that will suit them best. Some clients will require dedicated home offices, while others might have a hybrid schedule where certain rooms have multiple uses.
Knowing your buyer’s preferences can help you find the ideal home for them. Here are some things remote workers look for when purchasing a home.
1. Separate workspace
Most homebuyers who work remotely prefer having a separate space to work. That way, they have a physical separation between work life and home life. However, with rising home prices and 44 percent of potential homebuyers prioritizing affordability, real estate agents may need to help their clients think creatively about potential workspaces.
For example, if a home doesn’t have a spare bedroom, encourage your clients to use a loft, a reading nook, an enclosed porch, a den or a garage apartment as a home office. A finished room in the basement or a large space with added doors or privacy panels can also help separate a workspace from the rest of the house.
2. Airy floor plans
The median home price was $418,000 as of January 2025, a 45 percent increase in five years. That means many homebuyers are priced out of specific markets that were once within reach. The challenge in this market is finding a home with a spacious floor plan that’s still within your clients’ budget.
Remote workers who are indoors in the same place most of the day want homes that feel spacious and airy to walk around in so they don’t go stir crazy. Agents can help their clients by looking for homes with multiple zones and versatile layouts, which can help break up the monotony of a smaller home.
3. Lots of natural light
Remote workers aren’t waiting in traffic to get to the office, but when they’re working and living in the same space, they’re not getting outside as much. This can take a toll on their mental health and productivity.
Many remote workers are drawn to spaces with abundant natural light, large windows and even skylights. Having a yard or porch to work on can also be helpful if they can work outside on their laptop to enjoy some sunlight.
As a real estate agent, you should look for homes with adequate lighting throughout, especially in potential workspaces.
4. Quiet suburbs
Before the pandemic, more working professionals were flocking to cities for job opportunities. Now that so many people work remotely, a higher percentage of buyers are looking for houses in the suburbs, where more affordable prices and more land mean they can get more square footage without going over their budget.
That’s particularly important in today’s economy as inflation continues to trend upward and mortgage rates are much higher than they were a few years ago.
With no need to worry about a long commute, remote workers often want to relocate to an area where they can live more comfortably, away from the city’s noise, which can be distracting during their workday.
5. Location near amenities
For remote workers, access to amenities is as important as space. For instance, living near a coffee shop or coworking space can give them somewhere else to work if they need to get out of the house.
Walkability could also play a significant role in their decision about where to live. Nearby parks and trails may be particularly important to remote workers who want to take walks to break up their workday. Nearby restaurants for a quick lunch or grocery stores may also be considered when remote workers are buying a new home.
Finding homes that meet this criterion can be an added bonus for your buyers. Even if there aren’t coffee shops nearby, showing your buyers neighborhoods with dedicated sidewalks and nearby trails can go a long way in showing how their lives could look in that location.
6. Smart-tech capabilities
Showing homes in areas with access to reliable, high-speed internet, excellent cell signals and other technological needs is also vital for many remote workers. Having an office space with numerous outlets and access to several top Internet companies can be a game-changer for remote workers.
Many remote workers also look for homes that already have other smart features, such as smart appliances, lighting and security systems. Doorbell cameras and already installed video security systems can make managing working from home easier and safer.
7. Pet-friendly amenities
When working from home, having a good setup for pets is key to ensuring remote workers have a peaceful workday. Remote workers can’t skip meetings to walk their dog multiple times a day. Instead, having a fenced-in yard can make it easier for remote workers to let their pets in and out with minimal disruption.
If your clients have a significant interest in their pets, finding a home with a drop zone, mud room or even a pet bathing area can help your clients see themselves living and working in that space. Taking the extra time to identify dog parks, walking paths and pet-friendly restaurants near a home can also help convince buyers they’ve found the perfect place.
Remote work isn’t going away anytime soon. With more people working remotely than in previous decades, it’s important to consider what remote workers want when showing homes to your clients.
By focusing on homes with rooms that can be dedicated work areas and amenities that can help remote workers get outside and take breaks during the day, you’ll be able to find the perfect home for your clients.
For buyers on a budget who may not be able to afford extensive square footage, getting creative and showing them ways to work and live in multi-use spaces can help them see the potential of each home you show them.
Luke Babich is the CEO of Clever Real Estate in St. Louis. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.
