Why the Coronavirus Is Changing the Way We See Home Ownership
The very term “stuck at home” has quite possibly changed in meaning forever, thanks to the 2020 COVID-19. For some, the government shelter in place orders have provided unforeseen benefits to personal relationships. For others, not so much. But no matter how this mystery illness has impacted your life, one commonality across the cultures in North America is in the way coronavirus is changing the way we perceive home ownership.
The Importance of Self-Contained Entertainment
Many of us have thought of our homes as places of refuge from our everyday. After too much stimulation from an unforgiving world (work, people, politics, etc.) we want somewhere to rest our mind, body and spirit. To recharge, revitalize, and restore—even if it’s nothing more than getting a solid seven hours of sleep.
Home, in its real estate definition, should provide us with quiet enjoyment void of disruption. As we all know by now, we can only control so much. Within the perimeters of our property structure, whether it be a
single-family home, condo, loft, gemini home, apartment, or manufactured housing, how we spend our time has taken a front seat more than ever.
It’s rooted in the options we provide ourselves.
Although we rely on technology through our phones and apps, tablets, and computers, gaming systems and more, moving towards old school backups for keeping us occupied is seeing a resurgence.
Social distancing may not always apply here but Monopoly, Risk, Jenga, Cards of Humanity, and other board and card games are bringing people together in living and family rooms across the country. For an added challenge, puzzles test our mental agility and focus while allowing for a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
The Shift in the Sanctity of Personal Space
What has been rudely brought to our attention is a bevy of “what ifs”—because we’ve been living them. No longer do we take for granted the freedoms that public places, community gatherings, and intimate dinners out used to bring.
The importance of living in a space that meets our needs, the known and unknown, is paramount to our emotional survival. COVID-19 has taught us that.
Although we may eventually open up to these kinds of experiences again, no doubt there will be new protocols to follow in order to enjoy them. Some refer to this as a temporary normal while others coin this our
new normal. Whatever that may be, this virus has awakened us to a more cautious way of life.
Because there will be another virus or superbug, somewhere down the line.
Location, Location, Location Is Everything
Proximity to external necessities is critical during our typical day-to-day. In the past, property location was looked at based on where it was situated compared to a work commute, a desired school, or shopping.
The pandemic has brought to light a shuttered state of being, where location is more about the proximity to medical services, desirable restaurant take-out, and local-sourced farmer’s markets. As we come out of our
homes and gradually immerse into distant-but-face-to-face encounters, how we view where we live, work, and play will become more centric. Distance is more about virtual space than tangible miles.
Density Has A Significant Role
If you’ve been following the numbers of coronavirus reported cases across the country, it’s easy to note a correlation between densely populated cities and incidence of infection.
If you or a loved one live in a large city or multi-family housing, fear is likely heightened due to the inability to social distance with ease, and the unavoidable crowding in shared spaces, such as HOA-supported recreational facilities, playgrounds, and pools. It’s hard to get away from people when they are seemingly everywhere.
I am noticing an uptick (as do my industry counterparts) in Arizona housing inquiries from residents of other cities to include Los Angeles, Irvine, Boston, and Chicago. There is something to be said about our State’s readily available open land and subsequent housing with ample yard space.
Multi-Generational Housing for the Future
With health and wellness being a primary driver in lifestyle decisions, housing is part of the equation. New home builders have followed this mindset by offering homes that meet the need.
By adding attached yet separate living quarters or a casita on the same grounds as the main home, buyers can take their active adult parents with them without sacrificing privacy. This helps keep the family intact,
no matter what tomorrow may bring.
55+ Communities: A Humanitarian Option
As we get older, our susceptibility to injury and illness increases. We’ve become more aware of this than ever with the spread of the virus and how our aging population, and those with pre-existing medical
conditions, were not able to fight off the illness.
In order to keep mature adults as safe as possible, many families had to self-quarantine away from their loved ones. Housing communities specifically geared for older Americans, such as a 55+ condo or a 65+ tract subdivision offers residents assurances of added health and safety, simply by the nature of its ownership and occupancy guidelines.
Active adult communities located close to hospitals, pharmacies, and other lifeline businesses are especially sacred to any family looking for the safekeeping of their parents and the peace of mind that
results.
Room to Grow Is Essential
The recent wave of minimalist living works for the urbanite who wants the least amount of fuss and responsibility. And then there was Corona.
There’s only so much take out and protein shakes a person can handle.
What about a pantry to store emergency water and food stuffs? Many of us never had to think about that, until now.
Opening Up to Closed Quarters
Open floorplans are glorious to look at and decorate, but what if you have a family member exposed to who-knows-what? We perceive ourspaces differently now, and that’s okay.
A home with multiple rooms (even if they’re smaller in size) may be most desirable in the near future. Having more room options under one roof allows each person the ability to roam and find their own space to just
breathe and take the stress off.
Boosting Green Living
Recent headlines have covered a variety of bizarre human behaviors: the hoarding of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial soap, and disinfectants. Our desire to live clean has taken a bizarre turn.
But what about the food we eat?
Farmers have had to throw out produce and dairy products, while meat plants have shut down due to employees falling sick from the illness. This can lead to food shortages in our markets.
With our recent focus on clean in everything we do, some may be questioning our food sources more than before. DIYers have been clamoring Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware stores to build home gardens.
Again, your home needs to have the outdoor space to support such an enterprise.
Housing: What Was Good for You May Not Be What’s Right Today
Many businesses may continue to exercise a work-from-home policy. Some may discover that their work furlough or layoff was a blessing in disguise, opting to start a small business instead. Living with a pandemic in
our midst has, perhaps, forever changed the way we view our life decisions. Housing is part of that picture.
Take the time to reevaluate where and how you live. You’re worth it.