From time to time I have guest blog posts and today we have the well educated Candace Sigmon helping us with purchasing a home for our businesses.
There’s a myth baked into the real estate daydream that more space means more freedom, more comfort, more productivity. But if you run a business from home, you know better. You know that square footage can be a red herring when what you really need is strategic design, smarter layouts, and fewer distractions. As more entrepreneurs ditch traditional office spaces for the comfort of their own homes, the house hunt has shifted from “How big?” to “How well does this work?”
Prioritize Flow Over Size
You’re not running a co-working space. You don’t need endless rooms and expansive basements you’ll never use. What you do need is a home that gives your business breathing room without letting it take over your personal life. Open layouts can help here, but only if they allow you to move from task to task without bottlenecks. A poor layout in a large space will always underperform a compact home where work, storage, and downtime each have a defined rhythm.
Separate, But Not Isolated
You’re going to need separation, yes. But the goal isn't exile. Look for homes that let you carve out a workspace that’s private enough for focus without sticking you in a garage with no heat or a windowless corner of the basement. A well-placed spare bedroom or a loft with a door can do the job. Natural light and airflow are not just luxuries, they're productivity tools. You should feel like a human, not a mole.
Zoning and Zoning Out
It’s not sexy, but before you fall in love with that mid-century dream or Craftsman stunner, you’d better make sure your city will let you run a business from it. Some municipalities still have outdated zoning laws that put unnecessary restrictions on home-based businesses, especially if clients or deliveries are part of your workflow. You want a home where your business can grow without local headaches. The irony of buying your dream property only to find your work isn’t welcome there can unravel everything.
Internet Infrastructure Isn’t Optional
Some listings are proud to tell you a home has cable hookups in every room. That’s cute. You need to dig deeper. Reliable, high-speed internet is the lifeblood of a modern home business. Before you sign anything, ask about service providers, test the signal in different parts of the house, and make sure the upload speeds match your workflow. Spotty Wi-Fi can cost you clients, credibility, and your last nerve.
Layer In Protection Early
Before you get too far into the home search, take a moment to think about what happens after the keys are in your hand. A home warranty is worth reviewing as part of your upfront investment, especially if your business leans hard on appliances or if the electrical setup will be working overtime. Extended coverage can offer peace of mind when your income depends on everything staying functional. You’re not just buying a house—you’re backing a workspace, and every layer of protection helps.
Functional Storage Over Aesthetic Cabinets
It’s easy to fall for a gorgeous kitchen with glossy cabinetry, but if you’re storing products, files, packaging materials, or photography equipment, you need more than a pretty pantry. Look for utility closets, built-in shelving, garages that aren’t just car caves, and mudrooms that can moonlight as inventory space. Think about how you’ll move within the space on your busiest workday, not just how it’ll look on Instagram.
Noise Is The Silent Killer of Productivity
The wrong kind of noise—leaf blowers, barking dogs, busy roads, loud neighbors—can unravel even the most disciplined entrepreneur. Spend time in the neighborhood at different hours. Visit during school pickup, during a weekday afternoon, during a weekend morning. See if you can hear yourself think. Homes aren’t just physical containers, they’re sonic environments. And for people who work from home, acoustics matter more than most people realize.
Your Clients (or Deliveries) Deserve a Seamless Experience
If your business involves foot traffic or regular deliveries, think beyond curb appeal. Can delivery drivers easily access your home without parking chaos? Can clients step into a designated area without passing your laundry or kitchen mess? Even if you’re not customer-facing, the flow of goods needs to be frictionless. Look for homes with side entrances, mudrooms, or a semi-private section near the front door that could serve as a mini-reception or drop-off zone.
Don’t Forget How You Live
It’s tempting to center the home search entirely around your business. But don’t build a work kingdom and forget the rest of your life. Does the space energize you when you’re off the clock? Can you close a door, mentally and physically, when you’re done for the day? Your business will take up enough space in your head; don’t let it consume every square inch of your home too. Make sure the place you pick feels like a life upgrade, not just a workspace with a bed.
When you run a business from home, the stakes are different. You’re not just picking a place to sleep and eat. You’re picking a place where ideas will grow, where your workday starts and ends, where your professional energy is either boosted or drained. So forget the pressure to go bigger. Go smarter. Find the home that fits how you live and how you work, not just the one that wows you on a tour. You deserve a space that works as hard as you do.
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