A great social media strategy can attract potential tenants, but before choosing a home renters want to be certain they’ll get the most out of it. While there a several amenities that can make your rental home feel more comfortable, a designated work area can significantly boost productivity while improving the property’s value. Are you debating on the benefits of adding an office space in your rental home? This post highlights those perks and includes great decorating tips to get you started:
Benefits of Adding an Office Space to a Rental
Increased Productivity and Focus
A dedicated workspace from home allows tenants to focus more on their work and increase productivity. Maintaining an adequate work-life balance can be difficult, partly when you’re a remote worker. However, many psychologists recommend having designated areas to complete certain tasks to prime your brain to focus on that task. Thus, creating an office space specifically for work allows renters to remove other distractions and significantly improve work efficiency.
Less Commuting Time
Reduce travel time from your rental to the office by bringing work at home. Commuting takes up a lot of time and energy one could devote to more productive activities, so cutting it down or out entirely can significantly boost your productivity. A home office is an excellent selling point for property owners targeting young professionals, especially for remote workers who prefer to work from home or prefer to save on transportation costs. Lastly, having a dedicated space for work also lowers the carbon footprint which can be beneficial for the environment in the long run.
Potential Tax Deduction for Landlords
Enjoy tax breaks by adding an office space to your rental. In some scenarios, landlords can legally claim tax deductions for property improvements, which include building a new room or refurbishing an old one. Some states allow property owners to include these expenses under capital expenditure, reducing their taxable income and saving them some extra cash in the process. Additionally, you can also claim deductions such as depreciation and expenses related to maintenance, utilities, and repairs. With so many tax breaks, adding a home office may cost significantly less than the expected amount of renovation expenses.
Greater Home Value
Upgrade a property’s value by creating a designated office space. Rental properties with such amenities tend to attract more tenants, especially those who indulge in hybrid or remote work. Besides, an extra room is always a versatile addition irrespective of what the renter does for a living. Some renters could be small business owners, freelancers, and other professionals who can always customize the extra room to tailor their specific needs. Having this extra option can help justify raising the rental prices while reducing vacancies on the rental. In addition, adding an office space improves the rental home’s market value, making it a more valuable addition to your portfolio and an easier asset to liquidate if the time comes for the need to sell.
Tips for Decorating Your Home Office
Prioritize Adding High-Speed Internet
Guarantee smooth and uninterrupted work calls by installing high-speed internet. Tenants who work from home often need reliable internet access to download and upload files, access online resources, and participate in multiple video conferences. Thus, adding high-speed internet to your home office can greatly improve work efficiency and productivity. As a landlord, you can also highlight this perk in your listing to attract potential renters, while hiking your rental rate to cover the added utility.
Choose the Right Furniture
Make your home office as comfortable as possible by paying extra attention to the furniture you select. Since tenants will most likely spend several hours in the room, it would be wise to invest in ergonomic chairs and desks. After all, a comfortable seat can go a long way in preventing neck strains, backaches, and muscle cramps. Also, remember to prioritize other accessories that can aid workflow. Bookshelves are excellent and handy additions that can make working from home more convenient due to their added storage, but Bay Property Management Group Philadelphia reminds tenants to check their rental agreement before setting up a workspace area.
Optimize the Lighting
Ensure that your home office has proper lighting. If landlords want a space that enhances productivity, then they have to ensure there’s sufficient light for tenants to complete their tasks around the clock. Interior designs recommend maximizing natural lighting as it can influence your productivity and mood, so opt for lightweight or see-through curtains that allow sunlight to penetrate easily. Additionally, you can consider adding a mirror to reflect light from the window and make the room brighter. For later hours, install a mix of task lights such as lamps and overhead bulbs for better illumination.
Conclusion
Whether you own the building or plan to stay for a period, there are several benefits of adding an office space to your rental home. For tenants, having a designated area to work can considerably improve their productivity and focus. It also reduces your commute time, allowing you to dedicate more energy to your work. On the other hand, landlords can claim certain tax deductions, and also enjoy the boost to their portfolio through the added home value.
When decorating the home office, get the most out of it by installing high-speed internet to improve workflow, and ergonomic furniture to prevent poor posture and enhance comfort. Finally, remember to optimize lighting to get the most out of your office space around the clock.