Decades ago, my accountant/attorney told me that in order to deduct home office expenses and all that goes with it, a dedicated room not a space must be in place. Meeting IRS guidelines, a specific room is a MUST. People have tried, with no success, to argue with IRS agents who are sick of the stories and pay you back in by the book dealings/fines etc. The rules....RULE

There are many, many jobs where "at home" is not an option.  Companies are moving back to in person work, some (like Tesla) are firing people who refuse.  There is greater efficiency and accountability, sometimes, at an office.  Much easier to find the slackers at the office, than when they're at home.

It has had legs for me even before my real estate career over 19 years ago. 

When I worked my last high-tech job at Cisco, I worked half day from home. Early morning was dealing with Europe then I would return to my home office and work with Asia Pac.

From day one in real estate, I worked from home. The pandemic had nothing to do with my working from home for me. 

People will modify their homes or trade up to meet their needs. 

While I can't speak for every business, the mortgage industry basically pivoted overnight to "work from home" amidst the pandemic restrictions combined with the spike in refinance activity. Since then, most staff that I know (in my company and others) has opted to continue working from home, at least for part of the week. That said, I think it would behoove Builders to include dedicated home offices in their floorplans moving forward.

Not legs - wings! I have not had bricks and mortar for 15 years! Pretty much everyone I know has a home office, and has for a while . . . yeah they need a dedicated office, new and remodels should and usually will factor that in.

Peter Mohylsky. BRIX REALTY 

I think all homes should have space for at-home offices. Those who work from home are not going away. In fact, more people are moving to their ideal locations because they can work from home. 

For Realtors, it would work OK I think.  They can meet once a week for Broker tour.  For others, it wouldn't work so well.  I think in tech, and other occupations, collaboration is beneficial when all are under the one roof.  

Since January 1993, thank you!

Yes, one room should be for your office, and ONLY for your office.

  New construction "dedicated space"?  The only concern might be do you need a closet, do you need a bathroom - for future sales, for a real estate appraiser, etc.  A bare-to-the-walls room probably won't fly as a third bedroom if you put it into MLS.

Aside from the IRS Tax reasons so eloquently put forth by Richie Alan Naggar, your State Department of Real Estate may require you to have a dedicated room (if you are the Broker of Record).   

   Also, a separate room keeps you free from distractions (including family members). 

Also, working from home, you still need an "office mindset".   I know, I know, some people can work in their pajamas by the swimming pool, but that is not my style.  When I go into my office, especially in the event that a client, customer, or other party is meeting me, I dress for business.  

Most of my clients asked for that space, sometimes even 2 spaces.

The Pandemic gave it legs, nothing will be the same as 2019 in that regard. I know many here in CA that permanently work from home and maybe drive in once per week.

I've been a REALTOR* 23 years and 20 were at an office, I'll never return to office life - I love being homebased and have no need for a commercial office space anymore.

Work from home has arrived! For many workers, there will no full-time return to the office. Those workers need a place to work from home. That can be an extra bedroom (as in my case) or another dedicated space of some kind. The landscape is changing as we evaluate this question.

Up here our Canadian Revenue Agency (your IRS) employees are all working from home still and I don't see that changing.  I was speaking with an agent looking into a missing cheque for me and I asked him if he had a dedicated office and he just laughed and said "I wish".  I could hear his kids and his pup in the background, lol 

Any room can be turned into a work space, no need to create one but it must be a dedicated space for business only for tax purposes! I do have a small office downtown with an available conference room for clients.

Home offices can be used for many things, guest room, kids homework, library, meetings, etc.

I still have many clients working from home, and some have dedicated offices, so use the kitchen table.

New construction in the Charlotte area has been providing dedicated office space in homes for more years than I can count, including an option of walling of a formal living room to work as a home office or expanding the floor plan to add a study/home office.

I'm still not sold on the remote working lasting "forever." Many of my corporate clients who were remote during the pandemic are now back in the office at least three days a week. 

Hello Peter, I have more clients that are looking for homes that want a home office, one if not two.  Covid creative working at home and companies are seeing that this works for their employees.

I believe the workplace has been changed and it would be a good idea for new construction to add the option of a home office

Yes! I work in a high tech area so working from home isn't new. However, it did pick up pace due to the Pandemic. When the pandemic hit, I had clients trying to figure out where one or both adults would be able to work. And, at the beginning where the kids can do online school. 

I think we'll go to a hybrid mode for many. Companies do want people back in the office. The collaboration and creativity is stronger when people are together. However, people don't miss the drive into the office.

If companies think their employees aren't as productive we'll see more people going back into the office.

On a personal note, my husband works from home and I think he works more than ever. For highly motivated people it can be difficult to bring the workday to and end.

So, having said that, I do think having a home office will be important for quite a while.

Many will never get the chance. For those who can, some will be productive, some will take advantage. Some businesses can do it, some cannot. The current work ethic of some people will demand it. If their productivity dips, can companies just part ways with them and free up their future. Watch the lawyers swarm!

Every one has their preference, I prefer to have a productive office set up.

The challenge for my wife is to not let my office take over the entire house.

The current state of home ownership has increase the demand for a downstairs bedroom.  Home office, elderly relatives and visitors and aging homeowners make it highly desirable.  Many homeowners actually need two home offices.  Times have changed drastically in the past few years.

Peter home offices have been quite popular in my area for a number of years actually.  I have seen builders incorporate them in to floor-plans more often as well. And some folks want more than one office plus a kids learning room these days.

I like an office - I like knowing my coworkers, seeing their faces, laughing, and breaking bread with them - I think it creates better relationships.

That said, I love not commuting - a hybrid model works best for me.  Some industries can't be remote, and others shouldn't.  Businesses that allow everyone to work remote run the risk of alienating some people who don't want to, and also losing productivity from workers who don't do well at home.  But after two years of this, good luck getting back to normal!

In videos and descriptions and image notations, it is pointed out to recognize the need "here is where you can easily, comfortably work from home at your remote online job". You and I recognize the needs of folks out in the audience that telecommute and don't need a job. They are packing up and bring the one they already have if Internet is long and strong. Match up buyer and property. Describe the real estate buyer for this home would want this home with these features because of this, this and that in describing the sticks and bridges Peter Mohylsky. BRIX REALTY 

Space is at a super premium here- but clients are simply buying larger homes since covid to work from home. Many of the new construction buildings were already putting in video conferencing rooms as part of the ammenities package- now they are adding private conferencing rooms a bit larger than a phone booth in addition to the room with the giant screen tv with video conferencing ability and the board room sized conference table. For smaller buildings with no amenities package- clients are just moving a size up or removing roommates from the equation (for the renters).

My firm is going the opposite direction- with 360 degree views of the city on the 25th and 26th story - direct views of the Empire State Building a few blocks to the south of us. We are encouraging clients to visit our office. In the next few weeks we will be opening Studio 25- our video and podcasting recording studio for all see on the 25th floor. 

Many new homes already have home offices and yes, they will be in greater demand. Many companies realized they don't have to pay for expensive office space if employees can just work from home and many employees like that as well.

it is not the practice for anyone including real estate professionals in my market.

Yes, it is convenient and saves a lot of money, especially with $7 for gas.