In today’s work-from-home environment, many Americans are leaving urban centers and flocking to the suburbs. As they search for their spacious new homes, some interesting “must-haves” are appearing. According to HousingWire, new requirements for home buyers include features such as two home offices when both adult family members are working from home and learning centers for their kids who are completing some level of schooling out of the house. In addition, demand for homes with playrooms and pools is quickly growing. Because of this, larger homes are beginning to become popular again to accommodate for the extra space. Dallas-based agent Alex Trusler says, “I’ve got several clients right now that two offices are absolute requirements, or another area that you can use for a second office.”¹

New Trends in Apartment Design

The coronavirus pandemic has not only changed what amenities buyers are looking for in prospective homes, but also how developers are looking to evolve apartment design to better keep their tenants safe. Some features developers are working to incorporate include: in-unit office space, removal of shared touchpoints (a new high-rise in Miami will feature a touchless elevator that utilizes facial recognition), upgraded air filtration systems, retractable glass partitions in common spaces, and individual entries for each unit wherever possible. But most importantly, many designers are rethinking the use of outdoor space where tenants can remain physically distant while staying socially connected. “The biggest change we are seeing as a direct result of COVID is an adoption of much larger outdoor patios and terraces in multifamily units, where what used to be a small 5’x8’ balconies in the United States are now being designed as an ‘outdoor room’  - minimum 10’x12’. . .” said Brian O’Loony, an Architect with the architectural firm Torti Gallas.²

Sales of Large Homes on the Rise

Home buyers stuck at home during the pandemic are looking for more space, triggering an increase in the number of sales of large homes. According to Redfin, sales of large homes (3,000-5,000 sq. ft.) were up 21.2% year over year in July. On the contrary, medium sized home (1,500-3,000 sq. ft.) sales only increased 10% YoY and small home (300-1,500 sq. ft.) sales increased 2.3% YoY. The average home size that sold in the 4 weeks ending August 16 was 1,772 sq. feet – 3.7% larger than the average home last year. “Most people would prefer a large home over a small home given the choice,” said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. “That’s true regardless of what’s happening in the world, although spending more time at home due to the pandemic is encouraging some homebuyers to seek out bigger houses with bigger yards.”³

Making a Splash During the Pandemic

The end of summer can bring with it some of the warmest days – a perfect time for cooling off in the water. But with many public pools shut down and people wanting to avoid the crowds of beaches, finding a place to cool off may be more challenging than anticipated. Enter Swimply; an online platform launched in 2018 to connect private pool owners with people looking for a place to swim. Swimply works much like Airbnb or VRBO. Pool owners can put their pools, and other backyard amenities such as a grill or outdoor dining space, online for rent for an hourly fee (typically starting at $45/hr). During the Coronavirus pandemic, Swimply has seen pool rentals shoot up 3,500%.⁴