When Your Home Workspace Isn't Working for You Anymore
If you're like many other small business owners who work from home, your office lacks the appeal it once had when you first started. Maybe your business has grown and demands more space than you have to effectively get work done. Or, maybe you underestimated from the beginning how much room you actually need and have discovered organization isn't your forte.
Whatever the reason may be, the result is the same: Your office isn't working for you anymore.
How can you tell?
It's becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate.
Stacks and piles are accumulating on your desk and around the room.
You find yourself having to move things to get work done.
You feel confined and claustrophobic when you're in your office.
Not having enough space for your business can negatively impact your state of mind, productivity, and overall success. Taking that into consideration, it may be time to take action.
Consider Buying a New, Larger Home
Shopping for a new house with your business as well as your personal needs in mind actually helps narrow down your choices significantly. When you want to purchase an existing home, working with the qualified professionals at KDM Real Estate makes the process easier and more efficient. They can help you find a home that has the features you need in the community that works best for you and your business.
Keep in mind that in addition to having more office space, it's nice to have your office a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of daily home life. Not only will it be quieter so you can focus, but it will also be more private, which is good if you meet with clients regularly.
Once you’ve identified a home you’d like to purchase, your next step will be finding the right home loan. If you have stellar credit, a conventional loan offers the choice of an adjustable or fixed rate mortgage. With these types of loans, you also won’t be required to put down 20 percent on your home.
If You Can't Relocate, Renovate
Sometimes, moving just isn't an option. In that case, consider renovating your current home to make adequate space for your business. You could take out the wall between your office and an adjacent room, move to a finished basement or attic, or bump out an area of your home to create more square footage. Think creatively — build up over an attached or detached garage, or even purchase a fully outfitted shed to use as an office. Higher-end landscaping companies often sell pool or guest houses that would make a beautiful home office for less money than a full-scale addition to your home.
If You Can't Renovate, Redecorate!
If your budget won't allow for renovation, don't despair. You can work with what you have and still make drastic improvements with careful planning. Enlist the services of a professional organizer who will listen to your needs and create an organizational strategy and design that creates space for your materials, tools, and paperwork. Not only may this free up actual space in your office, but it also can make it feel more open, spacious, and calming.
Protect Your Home and Your Business
Once you've decided how you will address your space issue, consider registering your business as a limited liability company, if you haven't done it already. An LLC keeps your personal assets safe from a business bankruptcy or lawsuit if that should ever happen. It also saves you money on taxes when you draw income from your business. It's an easy process; there's less paperwork involved than incorporation, and you can do it yourself online without hiring a lawyer.
Don't feel like you're stuck working from your cramped office indefinitely. You have many options to choose from to make your work-from-home experience all it can be, and it just might be the right time to seize the opportunity to make a change.
Are you ready to find a new property to help expand your home business? If so, get in touch with the pros at KDM Real Estate! Call 404-384-7256 or complete this form.