Reflecting on the evolution of ‘home sweet home’
The COVID-19 stay-at-home executive order offered many people plenty of time to reflect on the importance of “home sweet home” and the support of family, friends and neighbors.
Now more than ever, the American dream of owning a home is vital. And consumers are making it happen in spite of COVID-19 because their dream encompasses property, family and their own well-being.
Let’s look at how and why homes are evolving and consider features con
Realtor on Call sumers may be looking for in the future.
The “why”
In times of natural disasters, national adversities and/or unforetold circumstances, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs kick into gear: physical, which is survival and safety (home); emotional, which is belonging (family, friends and community); and self-esteem and self-fulfillment (evolutionary). Kenneth Spright adds five “essential” needs: oxygen, water, food, shelter and sleep. They are totally intertwined.
Maslow and Spright are on the same page: the American dream of homeownership. A home is a shelter, providing protection against the elements of the world and a safe domicile to sleep in peace. Sleep equals well-being. Spright explains that sleep deprivation causes headaches, confusion, hallucinations and potential death. A home is a safe place to shelter and ensures good health.
The “how”
We have been sequestered to our homes, with businesses and government buildings closed, and forced isolation provided opportunity to reevaluate priorities. The average home had become a place to visit, eat, sleep and prepare for the next day — in other words, a pit stop.
But in the wake of COVID-19, something unexpected happened. The home grew in importance and purpose. It has become a safe haven, an entertainment and fitness center, a school and a workplace. How?
Preparation: nesting and stockpiling supplies. Yes, just like birds nest and mothers-to-be “nest,” we nested and cleaned in preparation of the “big event” … and that event was spending time at home with each other in a sterile environment while stockpiling supplies. A sense of “we’re in this together” led family and friends to work together in acquiring necessary supplies for the future.
Multifunctional spaces. Work offices, home gyms and schools were created, and curbside pickup at office and sporting supply stores became popular. Clearing the clutter from extra rooms and filling them with office/school/ gym equipment enabled consumers to work, stay fit and study from home. Success achieved!
Employees enjoyed the functionality and convenience, and employers have realized savings on utilities and other brick-and-mortar expenses. After work and school, fitness is a must as evidenced by the increase of home gyms.
Extra rooms being used more. There is a resurgence of multigenerational living. A 2016 Pew Research Center report (https:// pewrsr.ch/2W2RWCl/) indicated that this trend was on the rise in 2016 — up from an all-time low in
1980.
Now, college students are returning home; employment opportunities are at a minimal; and there is an increase in our aging population. This leads me to believe multigenerational homes will be even more of a hot commodity.
Spright and Maslow were spot on. What we need as humans are a home, human contact, sense of belonging, fresh air, water, food and self-development. These are essential to living a happy and productive life, and it all begins with shelter. That is, home sweet — ever evolving — home.
In light of COVID-19 and changing needs, 2020 criteria for new hom buyers could include entertainment/meeting spaces, both inside and out; extra rooms for work, school, fitness, additional family members or projects; in-law suites, media rooms; lot space/ zoning for expansion; larger storage/pantry areas; and bike racks! What? Bike racks? Yes. Consider this Associated Press article, “They’re buying bikes like toilet paper”(on.mktw.net/ bikesliketoiletpaper), which cites the explosive growth of bike sales.
Maslow showed us that connecting, sharing ideas and having a sense of belonging is necessary for self-actualization, and we are witnessing consumers establishing these connections through their purchases. Note the shortages in bicycles, sewing machines, games, puzzles and paint.
There’s been an uptick in fire pits, garden supplies, herbs, cookware and variety of other items that relate to homesteading (lifestyle of self-sufficiency). Where once we stopped in for a visit, our new home — the everevolving – sweet home is now the safe haven.
Linda Harrison is managing broker of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Lynnhaven office in Virginia Beach and a Realtor member of the Hampton Roads Realtors Association, for which she serves as chair of the HRRPAC Fundraising Committee. For more on HRRA, go to www.hrra.com.
Contact Harrison at lindaharrison@ howardhanna.com or 757-749-6586.