The rise of remote work has transformed our homes into multifunctional spaces. We are no longer just living, sleeping, and eating within these walls – we are also building careers, brainstorming ideas, and connecting with colleagues, all from our kitchen counters or makeshift desks. This shift naturally requires adjustments to our living environments to foster productivity and serenity in our daily routines.

But how do we adapt our homes, which may have been designed for leisure and relaxation, into efficient and inspiring workspaces? Here are some design and space tips to help you transform your home into a haven for remote work success:

1. Define Your Designated Workspace

First things first, carve out a dedicated workspace that is separate from your living areas. This could be a spare room, a corner of your bedroom, or even a nook under the stairs. A physical separation between work and relaxation is crucial for maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

2. Embrace Natural Light

Natural light is a game-changer for productivity and mood. If possible, position your workspace near a window to enjoy the benefits of daylight. Studies have shown that natural light can boost alertness, creativity, and overall well-being. If your current setup lacks natural light, consider investing in full-spectrum lamps that mimic the sun’s rays.

3. Invest in Ergonomic Essentials

Your body will thank you for investing in a good office chair and desk. Choose a chair with adjustable lumbar support and armrests, and ensure your desk is the right height for comfortable typing and posture. Note that comfort is vital to preventing aches and pains throughout the workday.

4. Organize Like a Pro

A cluttered workspace is a recipe for distraction. Implement organizational systems to keep your desktop clear and paperwork tucked away. Utilize shelves, organizers, and storage containers to categorize documents, office supplies, and personal items. A tidy space leads to a clear mind and enhanced focus.

5. Personalize Your Environment

Surround yourself with elements that spark joy and inspire you. Add , photographs, or plants to your workspace to personalize and reflect your taste. Calming colors and textures can also help create a serene and inviting atmosphere.

6. Utilize Vertical Space

If working in a compact space, make the most of your vertical walls. Hanging shelves, organizers, and even pegboards can help you utilize empty spaces for storage and display. This frees up valuable desk space and keeps your essentials within easy reach.

7. Control the Noise

Background noise can be a major productivity killer. If you live in a noisy area or share your home with others, consider using noise-canceling headphones or installing acoustic panels to minimize distractions. A white noise machine can also help drown out ambient sounds.

8. Establish Boundaries

Working from home can blur the lines between work and personal life. by establishing consistent working hours and sticking to them as much as possible. Avoid checking work emails or messages outside your designated work hours and communicate your schedule to family members or housemates to minimize interruptions. If possible, consider turning off your computer and ringer during non-work hours to reduce the temptation to quickly check emails or voicemails.

9. Embrace Multifunctionality

Think beyond the traditional desk and chair. Consider a standing desk or a convertible furniture piece that can transform from a dining table to a workspace. Look for multi-purpose storage solutions that combine style and functionality. This flexibility allows you to adapt your space to different daily needs.

10. Create a Dedicated Relaxation Zone

Last, create a dedicated zone for relaxation and leisure. This could be a cozy reading nook, a meditation space, or a comfortable chair away from your workspace. A designated area to unwind and recharge is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Adapting your home for remote work is an ongoing process. Experiment with different layouts, incorporate personal touches and prioritize your comfort and well-being. When you create a space that inspires you, fosters productivity, and allows you to unwind, you can set yourself up for remote work success.

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Can you believe that it is possible to live in California today, make an offer on your dream home in Springfield, Missouri tomorrow, and close within a month? The prevalence of remote work and state-of-the-art real estate technology has made it easier than ever to search for homes without concern for geographical limits.

Millions of Americans now work remotely, far from corporate HQ, and sometimes from the flurry and fuss of city life. In fact, during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, one in five Americans moved or know someone who moved, especially from big cities. One of the primary reasons for this exodus was affordable housing. People relocated to suburbs and vacation hotspots in search of larger, less expensive homes as more companies became remote-work-friendly.

Buying a home in one state while living in another, whether it be for more affordable living, work reasons, or as a second home, might not be as straightforward as buying in your current state. It can be challenging to purchase in a place you are not familiar with- housing laws, walkability of the community, home maintenance concerns, etc. can be vastly different from one state to another. This article is a step-by-step guide to follow if you are considering buying out of state.

How to buy a house of out state

1. Learn about the local market- prepare for competition

When you are researching different areas, you should ask yourself, “should I prepare for a buyers’ market or sellers’ market?” Today, buyers should expect competition in many markets in North America as it is primarily a sellers’ market. In a sellers’ market, many buyers compete for a limited supply of real estate listings. So, what do you do in these cases? Act fast. Additionally, team up with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the local market and neighborhoods you are exploring. An agent is a great asset when it comes to speedy and seamless transactions.

When you’re looking to buy a house out of state, consider what factors are important to you in terms of location and property. For example, are you looking to live somewhere with a more temperate climate? Do you have concerns about the age of the properties in a certain neighborhood? You will want to research as much as possible before making an offer. We recommend researching the area’s job growth, walkability (especially if you aren’t keen on driving often), school system, transport facilities, shopping centers, and parks. There are online tools to make your research easier. For example, you can search for your desired city on Census.gov or Statcan.gc.ca. You can also read reviews on sites like niche.com or bestplaces.net. That being said, an expert realtor is always your best bet for market information. The best realtors know the ins and outs of the local market, should be able to answer any questions you may have, and point you to reliable resources.

2. Research and contact a good buyer’s agent

A trustworthy buyer’s agent is an indispensable part of your team when buying a house out of state. Read testimonials from past clients and ask the agent about his or her experience, especially as it relates to out-of-state transactions. Experienced agents are great resources when it comes to recommending other reliable professionals such as home inspectors, contractors, moving companies, etc. They also save you time by curating a list of homes that match your criteria and price range. 

When you’ve found the home you desire, your buyer’s agent will advise you on how to negotiate and what contingencies to include in the contract. Be aware that some states allow dual agency, so it is possible that your agent could represent the home seller as well. Although this is not the norm, it is rarely a problem due to the high standards expected of real estate professionals.  However, if you have concerns, you should ask your agent in advance.

3. Find a relocation expert

While planning your move, you should contact a relocation expert to make your out-of-state transition easier. Their services are often free to the mover. They get paid referral fees from vendors and moving companies they refer. Relocation specialists can help with a variety of tasks, such as:

• Suggesting a realtor to sell your current home
• Finding a long-distance moving company
• Collecting school enrollment information
• Arranging home repairs at the new property
• Helping to rent self-storage space
• Shipping automobiles

How do you find a relocation expert? We recommend checking out sites like or »ĘąÚĚĺÓýapp Relocation.  You can also search for experts in your city with CRP (Certified Relocation Professional) or GMS (Global Mobility Specialist) designations.

4. Get to know local real estate laws

You need to know your target area’s real estate laws, not just from online sources but also from your agent and other property owners in the area. Some laws are specific to the local neighborhood. For example, you must purchase flood insurance in some Florida counties. But ideally, you want to know the state’s laws regarding:

• Property disclosures. What must be disclosed to a buyer before closing on a property?
• Land use limitations. What laws control what you can build on and how you use your property?
• Contract agreements. If you plan to rent out a home for AirBnB or long-term renting, what rules apply to landlord-tenant agreements?
• Taxes. Homeowners may have to pay capital gains or other taxes, which vary by state. Generally, if you sell a property that you have owned for less than two years, expect to pay a .
• Second homes. What laws control buying a second home in another state?

Instead of depending on online sources, you could consult with a local lawyer to help you understand what applies in your target state.

5. Leverage technology- limit travel

In the last five years, real estate has felt the positive impact of disruptive technology. Right now, buyers can view drone footage of homes that are 2000 miles or more away. Documents can be signed online, making it easy to close on out-of-state real estate without leaving your current state. You can view homes through mobile apps and access unique information on getting mortgages.

Physical viewing can be replaced with 3D Matterport scans, 360 virtual tours, and videos. You can take advantage of Facetime and Google Hangouts to converse with your buyer’s agent from any part of the world. With technology, you can expedite much of the home buying process. If your real estate agent isn’t familiar with using some of these tech tools for home buying and selling, that’s a big warning signal.

6. Organize financing

Now it’s just a matter of making yourself credit worthy.

• Setup a money savings plan for meeting down payment requirements.
• Don’t just interview one lender. Talk with at least three different lenders and see what interest rates they offer.
• Handle all your bills promptly. A lender will look at your DTI (Debt to income) ratio before approving your mortgage application. If your DTI is high, you may not be able to secure a mortgage. Set up reminders or automatic bill payments to avoid late payments.
• Check your credit report periodically. Fix errors on your credit report before your lender starts looking into your credit.
• Get pre-approved before seeking out homes. This article presents some reasons before searching homes in your target state.

7. See the home virtually and physically, if possible

Today, you don’t need to show up to view homes in person. You can check out videos and virtual tours of homes online. This is why the percentage of home buyers making sight-unseen home purchases when buying a house in another state increased. Redfin estimated that bought homes sight unseen in 2020. This means that they bought their home without physically touring the place.

Buying a house in another state sight unseen is risky, especially in a hot market, where you may be compelled to waive the inspection. Online information can be incomplete, and the property may include some flaws that could be costly to repair in the future.  It’s essential that you go and physically check out the property- especially if you are planning to waive the inspection.

If you cannot physically travel to the property in person, ask a friend or family member living in that state to accompany your agent and take videos of the property and surrounding area. These videos will show you how the property looks in real life. Remember, most real estate professionals are more than happy to do this on your behalf!

8. Conduct a home inspection

A home inspection contingency allows a buyer to back out of a transaction if there are costly repairs uncovered on the property or if the seller is unwilling to make requested repairs. Some fixes are mandatory, like removing mold or electrical hazards. However, many minor fixes can pop up on an inspection report (like a leaky faucet). It is common for a seller to resolve the issues from the home inspection or negotiate which items will be fixed to keep the sale process rolling. Major defects like roof leaks or faulty electrical wiring are expensive to fix and will affect your safety in the home. It’s important to detect these early to make an informed purchase.

Ideally, you should be present during the inspection. The inspector would be able to reveal to you directly what they found and how critical it is. You’ll also be able to ask questions about any problem the inspector reveals. The typical inspection lasts two to three hours and would reveal:

• Safety issues
• Major and minor defects
• Items that should be replaced in the near term (like appliances, AC units)

Regardless of whether you attend, expect a full inspection report with photos so you have a better grasp of the condition of the home.

9. Close on your new home

Nowadays you can close on a home from out-of-state since closings can be handled digitally. Remote online notarizations, remote ink-signed notarizations, and mobile notary services are being used in the real estate industry today to speed up closings.

For documents that require physical signature, instead of traveling over, those could be sent via direct mail. Your real estate agent or relocation expert should be able to recommend a good title or escrow company and assist you through the closing process. Note that closing may take a bit longer than you expect as banks may require extra paperwork or sellers may request an extension.

Can I get a mortgage for a house in a different state?

It’s recommended that you get preapproved for a mortgage before relocating. This initial pre-approval letter shows sellers and real estate agents that you are qualified to make a large financial investment.  In many cases, buyers may even need to supply proof of pre-approval before visiting properties.

However, even with a pre-approval letter, it doesn’t mean your financial situation won’t be reassessed before final approval. A lender primarily wants to know that you can repay a loan regardless of where it is located. Typically, the lender will want to see that you have job stability, solid credit, and money for the down payment. This means that your lender will request information like W-2s from the last two years of employment, copies of bank statements from the previous 60 days, and more.

Conclusion

Buying a home out of state is not only possible but can be exciting. However, you need to build a team of trustworthy professionals. »ĘąÚĚĺÓýapp’ network of experienced buyers’ agents and relocation specialists can help make your move to any state a breeze.

Author Bio: Agnes A. Gaddis is a specialist writer for real estate SAAS companies. She is a contributing writer for Credit.com, CXL, Getresponse and Inman news. She’s a big fan of caramel coffee and mystery novels. Get in touch with her on Twitter @Alanagaddis or visit her website, .

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“Working From Home” is a hot topic these days, and being good at it is far easier said than done. I would know, because for the majority of my 10 years in the real estate industry I’ve worked from home. 

Fortunately, I’ve picked up some great tips from friends and have adjusted my habits to find what works best for me. 

At a high level, it’s all about mindset — like starting a new job and learning to integrate into your new environment. Anyone can work from home, but if you don’t follow best practices, you can easily fall prey to distraction.

If you do it right, however, you might just find you increase your productivity with great success.

Below are some of the best practices and tips I’ve implemented. Please feel free to share with your peers.

1. Set Your Mindset

Take control of your environment. Focus on your goals as a habit, and learn to keep yourself in check. I try to leave my house early every morning and prepare my mind for the workday ahead in either my house or my mobile office. While it’s easy to get distracted by the dishes or laundry, remember: You don’t do house chores while at the office; don’t do them when working from home.

2. Location, Location, Location

Choose what’s comfortable! You don’t have to stay in just one place all day. 

Find a comfortable space that meets all the requirements to help you accomplish your next task. If it’s a private call, find a private space. If you’ll be in a video call, choose a place that’s less noisy and has decent lighting.

Also, be consistent with your work locations. I find I start working faster in a familiar place with less distraction.

3. Get Out

You may want to change up your location to reset and recharge. Several times a week, I work out of a coffee shop or the public library to surround myself with humans. You know it’s a problem when you begin to speak to the grocery store cashier about your day and ponder life!

4. Set Hours of Operation

While it can be difficult to close your laptop, especially when working across time zones, try to resist and establish a start and end time. Make sure your calendar is currently up to date so that team members can add you to meetings based on your availability. I try to keep time blocks open to do specific tasks, like expense reports.

5. Practice Self-Care

Also, take time for self-care, like eating lunch and exercising. Hydrate!

6. Video-Conference with Good Audio

If you’re going to be on a video conference, consider the following:

LIGHTING:

Situate yourself in a comfortable place where people can see your face clearly.

SOUND:

Use headphones or a headset so that you can block other unexpected noises — and own them when the dog barks or a relative interrupts. Also, be aware of typing into a mic or playing background music too loudly. Always, MUTE, when you’re in a public place, traveling or in a loud area, and unmute only when you’re going to speak.

7. House/Personal Duties

Don’t do them during work hours! They are the devil. It’s so tempting. Trust me, I failed miserably at time management my first few months of working from home. Dishes, vacuuming and doing the laundry only distract, and distractions make you do other things, like working late to make up for those darn distractions!

8. Set Boundaries

Others in your household may not fully understand that you’re working. They see your body in the house and start talking to you about everything and ask you to do things. Say “No!” When I visit my family for the holidays, my mother still tries to ask me lots of questions so I lock myself in a room and put a sign on the door that says, “Recording Live.” This helps keep the noise down, except of course, for my mother’s vacuum.

9. Slack

If using the digital chat service Slack, sign in and sign out. Use Snooze and Status updates to help let others know when you’re not available. Don’t forget to turn it on. It still happens to me on occasion.

10. Get Dressed

This is not college or a lazy Saturday morning. Get yourself dressed as if you’re going into the office, which brings me back to “mindset.” If you look and feel great, then you’ll emote greatness. It’s easy to not want to shower and just roll out of bed. Been there, done that. But, trust me, it works much better for you in the long run if you approach your day like any other day going into the office — just without the commute.

originally published by .

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Spring motivates a lot of us to do some much needed deep cleaning. It’s a good idea to take a few days to really cleanse your space and revamp your style. Cleaning and decluttering is a great way to start off the new season and fill your time. Not only does it clear your house, it also clears your mind!

Clean Baseboards, Cabinets, Doors, Windowsills, and Walls

Sound like fun yet? These are not typically chores we do on a regular basis, but a lot of crud builds up here, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Baseboards and window sills accumulate dust, dirt, hair and can become discolored. You’ll be amazed how much cleaner and brighter your space looks with freshly scrubbed baseboards and window sills. 

Don’t forget to do the ones in the kitchen, too. Sticky food residue easily accumulates here and can attract bugs when the warmer weather sets in. Wipe down your walls and doors to get off the dirt and grime, especially the parts closer to the floor where the foot traffic is coming and going. 

Dust

Dust everything you see! 

This is especially important if you have allergies or have pets. Blinds and vents are notorious for accumulating thick layers of dust. Have you looked at your ceiling fans lately? Chances are they are caked on with dust, hair, dead skin particles and pet hair. Don’t forget to change your air filters while you’re at it so you won’t be circulating in new dust right after you clean!

Go Through Your Closet

We accumulate a lot of clothes over the year from birthdays, holidays, hand-me-downs from friends and shopping. Most of the time we keep a lot of stuff in our closet that we never wear or look at. Make some space in your closet and donate or sell your clothes you don’t wear. Throw out those holey socks and undies. Box up your winter coats and sweaters to make space for your summer clothes.

Rearrange the Furniture

If you have the option to, switch around your furniture arrangement in your living room and bedroom! It will make the space feel fun and new. Play around with it to find your personal feng shui. Hang up some new decorations or pictures. Fairy lights also make a great addition to any room by adding soft, mellow lighting.

Bust Out the Vacuum

Most of us vacuum throughout the year, but for your spring cleaning, there are some can’t miss spots to go over with your vacuum. Vacuum all rugs and carpet and don’t forget to get under those couch cushions! Always make sure you wait till after you finish dusting to vacuum to ensure that all the remaining dust particles get sucked up.

Clean Out Your Fridge, Freezer and Pantry

Take out everything from your fridge and freezer. Wash the interior of the fridge and defrost the freezer. You’d be surprised how much sticky food residue gets stuck well, pretty much everywhere. Next, take everything out of your pantry and toss anything expired or unwanted. Organize food by package shape, food type or any other way that makes sense to you. 

Clean Out Your Home Office  

It’s easy to let the paper clutter get out of hand. Shred all your unneeded documents, throw out the junk mail, and opt in for paperless billing if you haven’t already. Dust the keyboard and around the computer. You’ll be able to focus much better with a clear space! This is the perfect task during a time when plenty of us are working from home and need a nice space that allows you to focus.

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