The rise of remote work has inspired a wave of entrepreneurs to initiate their ventures right from the comfort of their homes. However, if you're among those contemplating this shift but find your current space limiting, the solution might lie in upsizing your home. In this article shared by Direct Property Buyer, we will delve into each of these strategies, providing practical advice to establish a successful home business.

Finding a New Home

Determine How Much Space You Need
Your first step is assessing your business's spatial requirements. You need to account for workstations, equipment, storage, and possible meeting areas. A larger home ensures you have ample room to operate your business efficiently. This planning will inform your new home's size, helping to streamline your search and ensure a smooth transition.

When upsizing, pay special attention to the layouts of potential new homes. Seek properties with spaces that can be easily converted into a functional office or workspace. Remember, a well-structured work environment is conducive to productivity and can make your home business more successful.

Find a House with Lots of Natural Light
The impact of a well-lit workspace on productivity levels is significant, often overlooked. Various studies underscore the role of natural light in boosting mood, fostering a positive work environment, and ultimately enhancing efficiency. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritize homes with large windows and bright interiors in your search for the ideal upsized property.


Expanding Your Business and Designing Your Home Office

Improve Skills with an Online Education
Earning an online degree, specifically considering an online MBA program, offers a unique opportunity to expand your business acumen from the comfort of your own environment. This flexible mode of education allows you to delve into the intricacies of business, strategy, and management, equipping you with the skills necessary to navigate the complex world of modern business. Additionally, an online MBA program focuses on nurturing leadership qualities, enhancing self-awareness, and encouraging self-assessment, which are crucial for personal and professional growth. By enrolling in such a program, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge and a network of professionals, opening doors to numerous opportunities. This educational journey not only broadens your understanding of business principles but also prepares you to apply these insights effectively in real-world scenarios.

Implement Effective Marketing Techniques
Successful marketing is the cornerstone of any thriving business, playing an integral role in building trust and credibility within your brand. This can be achieved through the creation of engaging and informative content tailored to your audience's interests and needs. It's vital to utilize marketing techniques that resonate with your target audience, drawing them closer to your brand.

Install Floating Shelves in Your Office
After transitioning to your new, larger home, it's time to focus on the setup of your workspace. One recommendation is to incorporate floating shelves into your design. These elements bring a sense of aesthetics to your workspace, enhancing its visual appeal while serving a practical purpose. Floating shelves offer versatile storage solutions, enabling you to keep your workspace organized and clutter-free, which ultimately contributes to an efficient and productive work environment.

​Upsizing your home to accommodate a business marks a crucial stride on your entrepreneurial journey. The process involves determining your spatial needs and evaluating your current home's value, providing a clear vision of what your new workspace should entail. Additionally, optimizing the workspace design and selecting a property with natural light further contributes to a more productive environment. Integrating strategic marketing tactics, including lead generation and customer engagement techniques, helps foster a thriving customer base for your business. As you embrace this upsizing journey, you set the stage for your home business to flourish in a new, spacious, and productive environment.

Have a house to sell? Direct Property Buyer purchases all kinds of properties in any condition. The four that are highlighted here were all put under contract to buy in one week in November. 

1. The sellers of the brick ranch (pictured above) had tried to sell it for months with a Realtor. Many showings, contracts that fell apart, and overall frustration led the sellers to accept Direct Property Buyer's offer. The sellers actually had Direct Property Buyer over for an offer very early in the process and ended up calling back and accepting the offer four months later after listing the house and going through a tough process. Inside, the house needed some cleanout and the dogs left their mark. Direct Property Buyer took the house completely "as is" and closed quickly. The sellers moved out of state and started the next chapter of their lives. 

​2. This ranch in Des Plaines was occupied by a very heavy smoker. Smoke stains covered every wall, the windows, cabinets, and appliances. Direct Property Buyer bought this house completely, "as is" (including many personal items and furniture) and will soon begin the renovation process. 

​3. This unique townhouse in Rolling Meadows was owned by a widow looking to move out-of-state. The seller desired a quick closing but wanted to stay in the property for a short time after closing while preparing to move. Direct Property Buyer made a straight-forward offer, closed quickly, and worked with the seller's move-out timeline. 

​4. A couple that owned this townhouse in Bolingbrook had lived there for 5 years and were moving out-of-state. The sellers named their price and Direct Property Buyer accepted without negotiating. The closing happened on the day of the seller's choosing and they elected to leave much of their unwanted furniture and personal items behind.

At Direct Property Buyer, as each successful deal comes to a close we'll ask the sellers what was the most important benefit of selling to us was. Summing up different ways of saying it, it's "flexibility". Here are some examples:

1. Flexibility on closing date: sellers sometimes need to find a new place to move to (buying or renting), need to wait for a new place to be ready to move in to (assisted living or new construction), or have some other event in their life that requires a fluid closing date. 

2. Flexibility on condition: We'll buy the house in any condition and won't require you to do anything to prepare it for the sale. Even leaving behind unwanted personal items is no problem. Sell it "as is" and don't worry about it!

3. Flexibility on possession: It's becoming a more and more popular option for sellers to sell to us and move AFTER the closing. Some sellers need the cash to move somewhere else, some need to sync up with a move-in date at their next place. Regardless of the reason, a custom deal can be made to fit your situation.

When this article was written in early October, 2023, it continues to be a seller’s market. Low inventory has been driven by higher (than recent) interest rates that deter many people from selling their home. If owners with a 3% interest rate sell and buy a new home with an 8% interest rate they won’t be able to buy the same amount of house with their equity. This keeps more sellers in place. Because inventory is generally low, this tilts many listings in favor of sellers that are selling. However, many experts predict the end is near for this strong seller’s market. Locking in a deal with an investor now takes advantage of a potentially higher price than you may get if the market turns south.

So why should a seller still consider utilizing an investor/cash buyer to sell their home?

First, the rate of traditional deals falling apart is at a very high level of 20% right now. Starting over even once usually puts less money in the seller’s pocket with longer hold times and usually a lesser sales price. Lose two deals and a stigma may be attached to the listing which can really hurt the amount you get or the ability to sell it at all.

Next, when it’s a strong seller’s market investor offers go up too. Yes, every investor needs to find a way to make a profit somehow on buying a home. But, as the market goes up, investor offers go up too and you may be able to negotiate with them more.

Finally, enjoy all of the benefits of skipping the traditional hassles of selling a home on the market. At Direct Property Buyer, they’ll buy your home with only one visit to your home, buy it totally “as is”, pay with real cash, and pay for your closing costs. Compare this with buyer inspections, renegotiation, appraisals, and buyers getting cold feet which happens in all markets.

Of course selling directly to an investor isn’t for everyone and many people still choose to list their home with a Realtor. But, if there’s any reason that a seller may want to avoid listing, asking for a free offer from an investor may be a good choice.  

 “Cash Buyer” is an encompassing term that often refers to most real estate investors. The differences can be vast and many different aspects of a cash buyer need further definition for a seller to really understand who they are discussing their potential home sale with. Many sellers get caught up in hearing they are selling for cash and just focus on the sales price. Here are some things to ask any potential buyer if you are working directly with them.

1. Wholesaling vs. Buying
Many times sellers will meet with wholesalers and actual buyers but not know the difference until well into the deal with one of them. “Wholesalers” often try to negotiate a price but can be quicker to agree to get the deal done. This is because wholesalers act as a middle-man. You sign an “assignable” contract with them. Usually the wholesaler does not plan to close on the deal themselves and often lack the financing to do so. Once you agree to sell to a wholesaler, they’ll take pictures of your property and market it as if they are a real estate agent. Wholesalers keep the difference of what your contract price is and what they are able to mark it up to other buyers. Sellers loose control here and have to open their property up to many inspections from other potential buyers. These deals often need to be renegotiated and/or fall apart.
If you are working with someone that is an actual direct buyer, know that you are working with the person or company that will actually be taking ownership of your house after closing. Usually it can close faster and has less hoops to jump through to get to closing. These deals are less likely to fall apart and is certainly more predictable for the seller.

2. Local vs. National
Is your buyer from a national buying company or franchise? Or, are they local and know your areas and city/village requirements to close? National companies that buy all over may market better and are more likely to be seen by a seller. Sometimes these national companies refer or sell the lead to a local investor that’s actually in-town and able to meet you at the property. Local buyers are often smaller and have more flexibility to meet you at a time that works for you. They also are more likely to make the process easy on the seller since they've closed deals in your area before.

3. Financing
“Cash Buyer” doesn’t always mean that the buyer will be paying with cash. Many investors call themselves cash buyers but what they will tell you is that they waive contingencies like someone actually paying with cash would. When selling ask your buyer, “Are you paying with cash in your account or will a mortgage need to be recorded at closing from a 3rd party lender?” If you don’t get a straight answer to this or they tell you they need to borrow money, keep in mind that this is one way your deal can fall through and slow it down.

4. Respect
The industry doesn’t always have the best reputation. There are plenty of reputable investors that buy houses and do a good job and have happy customers (sellers). At Direct Property Buyer, we want every seller to do what is best for themselves and their situation—this may include working with us or not. However, many others play games with sellers by changing terms, treating them with disrespect, not returning phone calls, and simply not following through on doing what they say they will when a seller signs a contract. If you don’t have a good feeling about the person or company you’re working with it might be best to keep shopping for someone that is a good fit.  

Although it’s still springtime, the summer season will be here before you know it. For some people, summer represents hot, humid days and high electric bills. Saving money is the top priority of every homeowner, and energy use is one major expense. 

Here are some tips on how to reduce energy use while staying cool:

• Make sure all of your vents are clear of furniture and obstruction. It’s always a good rule of thumb to clean your vents regularly to keep them free of dust and set a schedule to replace filters in the return vents. 
• Ceiling fans must be turned counterclockwise to create a cooling effect. Turn ceiling fans off when you leave the room. 
• Use heat blocking curtains to block out as much sun as possible to maintain a cooler temperature in your home. 
• Take an extra step with your window coverings by installing a simple DIY window tinted film that will block heat-causing rays from warming your home. 
• Upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat. Set the thermostat to a cool default temperature when you’re home and program it to automatically change to a warmer temp when no one is home. 
• Apply weatherstripping to windows and doors, and use caulk to seal cracks and gaps along the exterior of your home. The cracks and gaps allow heat to sneak into your home. 
• Hire an HVAC professional to seal your ductwork and to service your HVAC unit. Leaky ducts are a common energy waster. 
• Avoid using your oven or cooking big meals on your stove top during the day.
• Unplug electronics throughout the house. By unplugging, you’ll be reducing your electricity use and energy costs. 
• Switch to LED light bulbs, which use 75% less energy, lasts 25 times longer, and run cooler. 
• Keep your thermostat away from heat-generating appliances such as TVs, computers, and lamps. They can trick your thermostat into thinking your home is hotter than it is, making your a/c work harder than it needs to. 
• Time your major appliance usage. Use your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher early in the morning or at night when it’s typically cooler. If you have the space, line dry your clothes to give your dryer a break.

If you have the budget for long-term investments, consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows and ensuring you have enough quality insulation throughout your home. Energy-saving features are increasingly desirable in a high-inflation world. Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report found that 67% of recent buyers are more likely to say an energy-efficient home is very or extremely important. 

Thinking about selling your home? Direct Property Buyer can make a fair all-cash 
offer. Call us today to get the process started!

Get a Quick Cash Offer    |    Call 773.971.7661 or fill out the form

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