Helpful tips for telecommuting
How to make light work of working from home challenges
Telecommuting is fast becoming the norm, with many companies opting to downscale office spaces in favour of staff working more remotely.
To accommodate the change, many are choosing to invest in more permanent solutions for their home office. Apart from making the home better suited to this new lifestyle, these changes also hold the potential to increase the resale value of the home.
“In the months following the hard lockdown, we have seen an increase in demand for homes with their own office.
“As a result, those who choose to renovate existing rooms or add onto the property to create an at-home workspace, could be increasing the appeal and therefore the value of the home,” says regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.
To help homeowners create a workable home office, RE/MAX of Southern Africa provides the following tips: High-speed internet The most important element for any athome office is the availability of highspeed internet. There is nothing worse than having a meeting interrupted by a slow connection. Do your research and find out which option works best for you. Those on a limited budget could reach out to their neighbours to see if they would be willing to share the cost of a high-speed internet line.
Good lighting and a clear background
Video call meetings are the new normal. This means that when setting up a home office, homeowners will need to consider the wall behind the office chair. To avoid distractions, try to keep this wall as clear as possible and consider painting it a light and natural shade. For a crisp image, lighting is also important. Avoid having a window directly behind you. Instead, try and position the desk so that the light from the window comes from the front. Add a lamp beside the desk to brighten the space even further.
Consider the acoustics
Homeowners need to think strategically when deciding on where to place their home office. To avoid being disrupted by other noises in and around the home, homeowners should select a room that is as far removed from road noise as possible and is situated away from noisy rooms within the house, such as the kitchen or the children’s bedrooms.
Homeowners could also consider soundproofing the room. For better sound quality, add a rug and make sure that the room is full enough so that there is no echo.
Some of this advice will require more capital outlay than others. To help homeowners decide which renovations are worth spending money on, Goslett recommends speaking to a local real estate agent who can provide guidance on which features will add value.
“Those who are unsure of how best to spend their renovation budgets can get some free advice from a seasoned professional,” he said.
For more real estate advice or to enlist the help of a reliable and experienced real estate professional from the largest real estate brand in Southern Africa, visit