Some of us chose the remote work life and some of us had it thrust upon us unexpectedly. While remote work offers a lot of advantages for modern workers – mainly the zero minute commute that saves you gas money and the freedom of not being tied to a small geographical area that lets you live anywhere you want – not every location is ideal for remote work.
But as the concept of remote work becomes more and more popular, so too are ways to optimize your living space, with property owners and multi-family apartment communities preparing for renters who have very specific and critical needs. If you find yourself in need of a new space to call home and the office, here are some things to look for in a new rental:
You’ve probably encountered many rental listings that feature “High-Speed Internet Ready” as an amenity that signals the property is fit for remote work. However, High-Speed Internet is a marketing term, not an actual indication that you’ll be able to attend HD video calls or upload large files like video.
Instead, find out if the property is “Fiber Optic Ready”. Fiber optic is the fastest and most reliable internet source, offering equal upload and download speeds, and greater bandwidth to use multiple devices. The last thing you want is to have your work day interrupted because someone in another room is also streaming a TV show.
If the listing doesn’t specify whether or not the internet is fiber optic, call the landlord or property manager to find out before signing the lease.
Chances are, when you moved into your current home, you were not expecting to start working from home and your options for creating a space to concentrate on work are… less than ideal. Maybe you were lucky enough to have a spare room or basement to make into a makeshift home office, or maybe you had no choice but to drop a desk in the corner of a bedroom.
That may work fine, but studies indicate that a dedicated work space can help reduce stress, increase productivity and engagement, and lead to better sleep. If you have the opportunity to create a space for work and work alone, or are looking at a new rental with an extra room, it is worth the effort and investment.
Many of the studies cited above look at environmental factors of a workspace and its impact on your health in an assessment called Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). IEQ looks at environmental factors like light, air quality, temperature, noise levels and even things like biophilia and color to determine if a space will make you happier and more productive, or more stressed and unhealthy.
When creating a new home workspace or looking at new rentals, look for positive IEQ factors like:
Depending on the job, you may have certain technology you need to use on a daily basis, and technology needs power. Make sure the room you’re planning to use for your home office has enough outlets to plug in all of your gadgets.
A standard home office with 1-2 computers and a couple of monitors is unlikely to overload and circuits, but if your job requires something with a big power draw, you’ll want to consult the property management company to have an electrician assess your power needs.
The new wave of remote work began unexpectedly, and right in the middle of modern corporate campuses bringing in lots of amenities like gyms, coffee bars and even outdoor activities like disc golf, all aimed at increasing workplace happiness and job satisfaction. When your job shifted to remote work, now you have to find ways to replace those amenities.
Some of those things, like fitness centers, can be found in modern apartment communities. In other cases, you need to find them elsewhere in your local community. If you’re planning a movie to a quieter area to call home (or work) and want to maintain that healthy balance of amenities, be sure to review the area for local gyms, parks and coffee shops.
As remote work becomes more and more popular along with the need for high quality rental property availability, the needs of both should go hand in hand. But not every remote job is ideal for a rental situation, and not every rental property is ideal for remote work. Take these factors into consideration when looking a new rental properties to ensure a seamless transition to the better work/life balance you deserve.
Feel free to explore Wolf & Kline rental properties that fit your remote work needs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date content, Wolf & Kline Property Management makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or accuracy of any information. Any action you take based on the information found on this blog is strictly at your own risk.
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