
Pre-pandemic, HGTV and other home improvement experts were touting the benefits of tiny Minneapolis homes for sale as people sought to simplify and downsize. Has quarantining affected homebuyers' wish lists? Here's a look at why upsizing may be the current trend when it comes to Saint Paul homes for sale.
- Millennials "Break Out"
Over the years, people have shifted away from formality in favor of more casual behavior. Millennials are the culmination of this movement toward a laid-back lifestyle. But when it comes to living space, twenty-somethings yearn to escape their current domain of dorm rooms, micro-apartments and multiple roommates for less confining homes.
- Telecommuting Becomes the Norm
Thanks to high-tech developments and environmental concerns, working from home was already a well-established trend before COVID-19. Today, according to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, almost twice as many people work from home as at a traditional workplace. As a number of companies expect to continue with a virtual workforce in the near future, people want homes with enough space to accommodate a dedicated office or work area.
- Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic
Before 2020, fewer than five percent of students were homeschooled, but for many families, that choice is now out of their hands. With many schools at all levels of education now operating online, parents want extra space to create in-home "classrooms" to optimize conditions for remote learning.
- Working It Out
With businesses and public gathering places closed, people began turning to walking, bicycling and other open-air activities as ways to get exercise while maintaining social distance. But even as communities reopen, gyms and health clubs are regarded as problematic facilities because of the difficulty maintaining sanitary conditions. A popular solution has been to turn a spare bedroom or part of a multi-car garage into a personal workout area.
- I Need My Space
For nearly three decades, great rooms and other open floor plans have been the most sought-after architectural feature in new construction and home remodels. Then along came stay-at-home orders, and people discovered there IS such a thing as too much togetherness. As a result, real estate agents are seeing a trend back toward more defined living spaces as well as greater degrees of privacy through more bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Give Me Land, Lots of Land
Condos and smaller houses with even smaller yards have been great options for people who, whether through lack of time or interest, didn't want the commitment of tending lawns and gardens. But the inevitable cabin fever of quarantining was intensified for those who didn't have access to a patio, deck or backyard where they could safely enjoy some outdoor time. Data from property listing sites shows that a recent drop in buyers looking for condos has been matched by a corresponding rise in buyers seeking houses.
- A Penny Saved
Both parents and kids are spending more time at home, making families feel less tethered to city living for the sake of shorter commutes and other conveniences. Property taxes are traditionally lower in suburbs and rural areas, so home buyers can use the savings to purchase a larger house than they would have been able to afford in an urban setting.
Whether you're upsizing, downsizing or somewhere in between, let us help you find the home of your dream. Call us and get started today.