More and more of the workplace has moved inside of homes. If anything, the pandemic has shown that some brick-and-mortar and office jobs can be done in the comfort of one’s home. If you find yourself in that situation, then you may also be looking to upgrade your home to include more office space. Caramel Chic thrives off of helping women lead more fulfilling lives, which is why we’ve provided some information and advice to consider if you’re aiming to capture a home loan and grow your home-based business:
Knowing Your Needs
Before starting your house hunt, make a list of all your home wants and needs. As you make the list, consider both personal and work needs, and envision what you may require in the future. This would be a good time to take out your business plan and incorporate your future growth goals into your home location and size decisions.
Finding the Right Space
Once you have a good understanding of the space you need to accommodate your life and business, then it’s a good time to contact a local agent to help you find the perfect place. Your agent would have a good knowledge of the location and real estate market and have access to listings that you may not otherwise be able to find. People who aren’t familiar with real estate cannot negotiate the way an agent can on your behalf to get you the best deals.
Getting Financing
With interest rates at an all-time low, there has never been a better time to find the perfect home. Research the real estate market for the area you live in. The average price of a home in Charlotte, NC, is about $290,000. A house with adequate home office space may be on the higher side of that figure. Knowing this information gives you an idea of availability and what you are working with.
Start by doing the following:
- Set your budget (what down payment you can afford and how much you can pay monthly towards principal and interest).
- Tackle any outstanding consumer debt, and boost your credit score as much as possible.
- Get pre-approved by your lender of choice (an offer from the lender of how much they will loan you).
- Then, begin your house hunt!
Once you’ve found the home and made the offer, then it’s time to finalize your lender choice, go through the mortgage application process, get an appraisal, and close the deal. If you’re selling and you need proceeds from your current house, be sure to begin your sale process simultaneously with your purchase.
Home Office Considerations
When looking for home office space, there are a few factors you want to consider: location, size, and comfortability. Not only is the locality of your house important, but the locality of the office within your home is as well. You don’t want to be distracted by what’s going on in your home while working, but you also don’t want to feel like your home is overrun by your work. Try finding a home that has a distinct and separate space for your business.
When considering how much space you need for your office, keep the future in mind. You may grow faster than you plan for, or you may maintain the status quo, but you don’t want to be forced to start the house hunt all over again too soon if your business needs change. Finally, consider how comparable your designated business space is. Make sure it has the following:
- Lighting (natural and overhead)
- Storage
- Wall space
- A spacious floor plan
- A separate entrance (if clients or employees will be coming in)
If you’re in need of a home office space and your current home doesn’t fit the bill, now is the time to dream and plan. Start by figuring out your desires, plan for the finances, then close the deal. Do research every step of the way to make sure you’re getting the best deals and the best interest rates, and that such a change will fall into your business and financial plans.
Are you interested in more lifestyle tips that can help you make the most of your life as a woman? Visit caramelchic.com to see what our company is all about!
Guest article for Caramel Chic was written by Derek Goodman, Inbizability.com, derek.goodman@inbizability.com
Want more info on Home Buying? Check out my video
How To Buy A Home In North Carolina – The Key IMPORTANT Steps
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