A large part of the Santa Rosa rental market is work-from-home tenants.
There may be debates about whether companies should call their employees back into the office, but the fact remains that working remotely is a big part of the American workforce, and plenty of people are doing it.
A home office in a rental property is going to attract not only remote workers but also entrepreneurs, creatives, and people trying to turn their side hustle into an empire.
Flexible space that’s not exactly a bedroom but also not a den or a living room is a trend that’s arrived in rental housing, especially in markets like Santa Rosa. When you can offer tenants a home office, you’re going to enjoy high quality residents, higher rents, and lower vacancy and turnover rates.
Unless there’s a dedicated home office in your property already, how can you offer this important amenity to your prospective renters?
We have some tips. Here’s how you can set up an effective home office in your Santa Rosa rental.
Why Home Offices Make Santa Rosa Rental Properties Stand Out
Santa Rosa tenants are seeking homes that not only accommodate their personal lives but also allow them to maintain productivity without distractions. This shift has driven an increased demand for functional, dedicated home office spaces.
According to a survey by Pew Research Center, 59% of employees with jobs that can be done remotely are still working from home all or most of the time. For investors, this trend represents an important opportunity to position their rental properties as desirable, work-friendly spaces.
Adding a home office—or even designating a room that can serve as one—can significantly enhance the appeal of your rental property.
Here’s why you want to pay attention to having a home office in your rental.
- These Spaces Meet Modern Tenant Needs
Today’s renters are looking for more than just a roof over their heads. They value functional spaces that reflect their current lifestyle demands. They want convenience. Whether it’s for remote work, freelance projects, or online learning, a home office fulfills these needs and signals that the property is future-ready.
- Higher Rental Income Potential
Properties with practical features like home offices can bring in higher rents.
This feature appeals to professionals who are often willing to pay extra for an environment that supports their productivity. Even a small, well-designed workspace can create value and help justify premium pricing. We have seen built-in nooks that have shelving and desk space. For a lot of tenants, that’s enough to justify higher rents, especially when space is at a premium.
- Attracting and Retaining Long-Term Tenants
Tenants who feel their needs are met are less likely to move. A home office setup can cultivate loyalty by creating a sense that the property aligns with their lifestyle. Happy tenants lead to reduced turnover rates and fewer vacancies, which means more consistent income for landlords. This can be a big part of any owner’s retention plans.
- Broader Market Appeal
Adding an office space to your property doesn’t just cater to that growing demographic of remote workers; it appeals to students, business owners, and anyone who values organization and focus in their home. Home office spaces, when marketed correctly, can attract a wider audience, giving you more applicants to choose from.
- Delivering Enhanced Marketing Opportunities
Highlighting the inclusion of a home office in your rental listings allows you to stand out in a competitive market. Mentioning features such as “dedicated workspace,” “functional home office,” or “ideal for remote work” leverages this trend and ensures your property garners attention online.
Investing in this feature can make your property stand out to professionals who prioritize work-life balance while aligning with workplace trends driven strongly by the gig economy and remote setups.
How to Incorporate a Home Office Into a Rental Property
Adding a home office is a smart investment. It requires minimal upfront costs compared to full-scale renovations yet delivers significant returns by meeting tenant demand. By improving tenant satisfaction and attracting higher-paying renters, you create a win-win for both your property and your bottom line.
Here’s how to get started.
- Identify the Right Space
The first step is to determine where the home office will go. While not every property will have a dedicated office space, consider these options that might work, depending on your property’s size and layout.
- Spare Bedrooms. Converting a guest room into an office is an easy and cost-effective option. Maybe there’s one bedroom that’s significantly smaller than the other bedrooms. Or, it doesn’t have closet space. Instead of marketing the home as a three-bedroom, market it as a two-bedroom with a dedicated office. This is an ideal way to carve out space and think about that room as a more flexible space.
- Unused Nooks. Ideal for smaller rental homes, a nook can create a cozy office space that’s ideal for remote workers or people who need a place to set up a laptop. Spaces under stairs, wide hallways, or even corners of larger rooms can be repurposed into functional workstations.
- Closet Offices (AKA “Cloffices”). Turning a closet into a compact workstation is a trendy way to maximize space without eliminating storage entirely. You might see a lot of this on social media sites or in design publications. It’s doable, depending on the closet and its location inside the property.
Keep tenant comfort in mind. Your renters are going to need more than the space itself. They’ll want natural light, good ventilation, and low traffic areas. These will make for more appealing workspaces.
- Invest in Built-In Features
Adding built-in features can give the office a professional feel without taking up much space. There’s not a lot of renovation work needed, but these elements serve a function purpose as well as an aesthetic one.
- Shelving. Floating shelves or built-in bookcases provide storage while keeping the design minimal.
- Desk Space. Whether it’s a built-in desk or room for tenants to add their own, a clear workspace is key.
- Cable Management Solutions. With tech playing a central role in remote work, ensure ample outlets and cable organization to prevent clutter.
Work with what you already have. You might find it’s more office-friendly than you realize.
- Optimize for Functionality and Comfort
A home office isn’t just about aesthetics—it needs to be functional and comfortable. To create an ideal office space, think about potential upgrades that include:
- Neutral Colors. Neutrals are good throughout a rental property, anyway. When you’re focused on the home office part of the property, stick with calm, neutral tones like white, gray, or soft beige to promote focus and productivity.
- Lighting. Overhead lighting paired with adjustable task lighting creates a versatile workspace for any time of day. This is a good area to be creative. Tenants will likely move in their own lights and lamps, but offering a well-lit space is a great foundation for them to build.
- Soundproofing. This is an age of Zoom meetings and online conversations. If possible, add soundproofing elements like rugs, curtains, or insulating materials to minimize distractions.
- Highlight Multipurpose Potential
Offices are for work, but not only work. And, when you think about appealing to the largest pool of renters possible, you have to remember that not all tenants have remote work needs, so it’s valuable to emphasize how the space can serve multiple purposes, such as:
- A study or reading corner.
- A homework station for families with children.
- Crafting or creative area.
This ensures the office space appeals to a broad spectrum of tenants.
- Consider Technology and Connectivity
Tenants need technology as much as they need a dedicated office space. Today’s renters expect their homes to come with strong tech capabilities. Ensure the office is equipped to meet these expectations:
- Add high-speed internet connections or enhance Wi-Fi with boosters for larger properties.
- Provide pre-installed surge protectors to protect tenant devices.
- Consider smart home features like USB outlets or dimmable smart lighting.
It’s a good time to think about providing Wi-Fi with your Santa Rosa rental, even if that’s something that tenants have traditionally set up for themselves. It will pair well with your office space and give remote workers and tech-savvy tenants a good reason to choose your property over others. They can move in and get right to work without waiting for their internet to be connected.
- Market the Office in Your Listings
Once the home office is added, feature it prominently in your property listing. Include high-quality photos of the space and mention its benefits in clear terms. Use keywords like “dedicated private office,” “home office,” or “work-from-home-ready” to attract the right audience. Don’t forget to highlight how this makes your property align with modern home office trends.
This is a great opportunity to attract more renters and increase your rental value.
Let’s talk about your rental home office. Please contact us at Prestige Real Estate & Property Management. We manage homes in Sonoma County, including Santa Rosa, Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park.
