The Impact of Teleworking on Real Estate: How Remote Work is Reshaping the Housing Market
The shift toward teleworking has had a profound impact on various aspects of life, and nowhere is this more evident than in the property market. With remote work becoming the new norm for many professionals, buyers are re-evaluating their housing needs, pushing demand for larger spaces, altering location preferences, and even reimagining the role of different rooms in the home. Here’s a look at how teleworking has transformed the property landscape in recent years.
More Space, Please: The New Buying Priority
Before the pandemic, the hustle of city life meant that many people were content with smaller living spaces, often choosing proximity to the workplace over room to stretch out. Now, with teleworking freeing people from the daily commute, homebuyers are prioritizing properties with more square footage. People want space for home offices, areas to work out, and room for family activities, driving demand for homes with additional bedrooms, basements, and adaptable areas. As a result, larger properties, particularly those that can accommodate the growing need for work-from-home setups, are flying off the market.
The Impact on Property Prices
Teleworking has also played a key role in shifting property prices. Urban exodus from densely populated and expensive cities has led to increased demand—and rising prices—in suburban and rural areas. Cities like Paris or London saw softening demand as workers realized they no longer needed to pay a premium to live close to work. In contrast, smaller towns and countryside areas experienced an uptick in both interest and property values. The desire for homes with outdoor space, larger interiors, and more privacy is pushing up prices in these traditionally lower-cost markets.
At the same time, high-end properties or homes equipped with features catering to teleworkers—like dedicated office spaces, high-speed internet, and spacious gardens—are commanding even higher prices as they cater to new buyer priorities.
Location, Location, Location: No Longer Tied to the Office
Teleworking has untethered many workers from the need to live close to their office, opening up new possibilities when choosing where to live. With fewer restrictions on location, people are increasingly choosing homes based on lifestyle preferences rather than proximity to work. This has led to a boom in interest in smaller, picturesque towns and even coastal or mountain regions.
In regions like the Côte d’Azur, for instance, buyers from major European cities are seeking out properties that offer a higher quality of life while still allowing them to remain connected professionally. The flexibility to work from anywhere has encouraged professionals to invest in homes that previously would have been seen as secondary residences or holiday retreats but are now their primary dwellings.
Second Homes Are Becoming First Homes
Speaking of second homes, teleworking has blurred the line between primary and secondary residences. Properties once reserved for weekends or vacations are now being transformed into full-time homes. With the ability to work remotely, people are spending more time in their second homes, using them as their main living space for extended periods.
This trend has had a noticeable impact on demand for second homes in desirable areas, driving a surge in purchases of holiday properties. Buyers now seek homes that serve dual purposes—offering both leisure and workspace, which means second homes are no longer limited to rustic cabins or beachside retreats but are being upgraded to accommodate long-term living and working needs.
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Teleworking’s Limited Ecological Impact on Property
Interestingly, teleworking’s effect on property from an ecological perspective has been relatively mild. While some anticipated a surge in eco-conscious construction or sustainable housing due to reduced commuting, the reality has been more focused on lifestyle convenience rather than ecological concerns. However, a reduction in commuting does lead to less environmental stress, with fewer cars on the road and lower emissions as a result.
Nevertheless, the shift toward teleworking hasn’t necessarily led to more energy-efficient homes, and some remote workers might even be consuming more energy as they heat or cool their homes throughout the workday. So, while there are ecological benefits tied to reduced travel, the broader environmental impact on the property market has been less significant than expected.
Outdoor Spaces: A Must-Have for the Remote Worker
If there’s one thing teleworking has made abundantly clear, it’s that people value outdoor space more than ever. The pandemic heightened the desire for private outdoor areas where individuals and families can relax, entertain, and stay active. Gardens, terraces, and balconies have become essential features for many homebuyers, especially those spending most of their time at home.
Properties with access to large yards, outdoor kitchens, or scenic views are being snapped up faster than ever, particularly in suburban or rural settings. Even apartments with balconies or rooftops have gained a competitive edge in the market, showing just how much remote workers value that connection to the outdoors during work breaks or after-hours.
The Kitchen: The New Heart of the Home Office
One surprising effect of teleworking is the transformation of the kitchen into a multifunctional space. Traditionally the heart of the home for social gatherings and meals, the kitchen has now become a hub for various daily activities, including work. The shift towards open-plan living means that the kitchen, dining, and living areas are often interconnected, making them central to both professional and personal life.
Remote workers are using kitchen islands and counters as makeshift desks, while many families gather in the kitchen for informal meetings or schoolwork. As a result, there’s a growing demand for spacious kitchens with plenty of light, counter space, and even technological upgrades to support this new hybrid lifestyle.
Between me and you
I’ll let you in on a secret: FRH was born in… a kitchen! During the pandemic, access to coworking facilities was limited. It was necessary to make a virtue out of necessity and fit out my kitchen, which for almost 6 months became the operational heart of FRH, with agents and trainees coming and going. This made me appreciate the advantages of teleworking and, even though FRH now has its offices on the Promenade des Anglais, I have to admit that from time to time I enjoy working from home!
Looking Ahead: The Future of Teleworking and Property
As teleworking becomes more entrenched in professional culture, its influence on the property market is likely to grow. Hybrid work models—where people split time between the office and home—will continue to shape buying decisions. Homebuyers will seek properties that provide flexibility for these mixed work environments, focusing on features like reliable connectivity, multiple workspaces, and proximity to nature.
The market for second homes is expected to remain strong, as more people realize the benefits of owning a home that serves both leisure and business purposes. Furthermore, the trend toward relocating to smaller cities or countryside areas is likely to continue as teleworking allows for more flexibility in lifestyle choices.
Do you want to find the perfect remote work home?
teleworking has changed the property market in fundamental ways, from increasing the demand for larger, multifunctional homes to redefining where people choose to live. As remote work continues to evolve, the property market will keep adjusting, with a growing emphasis on space, lifestyle, and flexibility—elements that are reshaping the future of homeownership for many.
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