The effects of the pandemic on lifestyle are forcing real estate development companies to change the way they build homes and where they build them.
COVID-19 hit 2020 changing working procedures and lifestyle and affecting the real estate industry for 2021 and beyond. From the way we do business to where and how we want to live life, consumer desires are changing.
Preferred locations to live switched rapidly as more families preferred to get out of the city. Certain states are receiving a high influx of people. Florida is one of them, and areas like Cape Coral in South Florida are becoming a favorite due to the lifestyle.
As health and caring for family members become a priority, anything that makes a home easier to clean, disinfect, or have a healthier lifestyle becomes a selling point. Some of the changes or preferences from consumers in this area according to what Private Equity Solutions, a real estate investment firm observed include less rug, more tile and easy to clean surfaces and floors all around. Also, bigger windows that allow fresh air and sun's vitamin C and light in, air filters, and water softening systems to ensure healthy water in the house.
Lifestyle has changed and with lockdowns being now a constant possibility, people want their home to have everything and be their own oasis. This is why so many real estate professionals are observing an increase in the demand for bigger backyards, outdoor space, and private pools. "We have seen a change big enough in what people are demanding that we stopped new construction momentarily to change the blueprints of the homes we're building in South West Florida to adapt them to current and future needs," said the CEO of PES, Ferdinand Ruano. "We all want the pandemic to go away but reality is that many of the things we're seeing now like remote work are here to stay and we need to account for that when we design a produc.t"
Some of the changes and additions his company has made to the new houses being built was to include a closed up office space for remote work, studying nook for homeschooled children, private pools included in the pricing and even outdoor bathroom not just for the pool use but to ensure that if you are doing a pandemic-friendly gathering outdoors, you don't have to have guests go through the house. "This is going to change the way we live and the way we want our homes to be. We are getting ahead of the game by understanding the new reality and taking in consideration its future implications. It's an exciting time for real estate," declared Ferdinand.
