Forget the stereotype about working from home in your pajamas while you sip a leisurely coffee. Telecommuting is serious business. A growing number of homebuyers are basing their decision not on the best commuting route, but on the best location for working remotely.
U.S. Census Bureau data shows that 4.4 percent of residents in New Mexico are full-time telecommuters. Texas and New York rank a little lower at 4.1 percent and 4 percent, respectively. And of all 50 states, California comes in at #10 on the list with 5.2 percent of the population telecommuting full-time.
Telecommuting is a daily and global occurrence. A 2018 Swiss study found that 70 percent of professional workers in the world telecommute at least one day a week, while 53 percent work remotely for at least half of the week.
Santa Fe: One of the Best Cities to Work from Home
When we hear from homebuyers who want to live in Santa Fe and work remotely, we have to agree: Santa Fe is one of the top cities for telecommuters. Our moderate climate packs in an average of 325 sunny days a year. Our geographic setting is nothing short of spectacular. And there’s nothing short about our altitude. Sitting in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Santa Fe is more than 7,000 feet above sea level—the highest state capital in the country.
Santa Fe’s setting and climate make it a mountain biking mecca and a hiker’s paradise. The City Different is one of the culinary gems of the Southwest for its restaurants, fresh produce, and craft beer. Art and culture lovers treasure Santa Fe for its jewelry, folk art, museums, and iconic institutions like the Santa Fe Opera. If you don’t already live here, you’ll want to. Check out our Santa Fe New Resident’s Guide to see what we mean.
Benefits of Telecommuting
More companies and employers are catching on to the benefits of telecommuting. There are multiple articles published on the topic, but this one from Forbes caught our eye. It describes telecommuting as “the future of work” as more companies adopt telecommuting policies. Telecommuting benefits include:
- increased productivity
- reduced employee turnover
- fewer unscheduled absences
- increased health benefits
- improved morale
- reduced pollution
Preparing Your Home to Telecommute
If your goal is to buy a home from which you can work remotely, preparation is key. Right from the start, you should look for a home that will support telecommuting.
One of the top telecommuting considerations is internet access that supports all your connectivity needs from screen sharing to video conferencing. Since your residence will be your primary workplace, you also need a home that is easy to maintain. Another top priority is having a dedicated workspace that reflects your professionalism.
In short, the homebuyer who aims to telecommute needs a plan to find the home that hits the target. As with any home purchase, determining your criteria can save you time during the search process. Just as important, figuring out your needs can help your Barker real estate broker zero in on the homes that will (literally) work for you.
Your Telecommute Homebuying Checklist
This checklist includes criteria that are often important to telecommuting homebuyers. Add the criteria that support your individual needs and goals. Categorize each item as a “must have” or “would like to have.”
| Criteria | Must Have | Would Like to Have |
|---|---|---|
| Low cost of living
Turnkey home High-speed internet access Smart home features Dedicated office space Proximity to free Wi-Fi Proximity to local gyms Low maintenance interior Low maintenance exterior Easy maintenance lot First-floor master suite Upper-level master suite Casita for guests or rental Gated community In-town location Remote location Nearby outdoor recreation Nearby restaurants High walkability score Other (add your own) |
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Once you’ve completed your checklist, you and your Barker Realty broker can use it as a guide to find the homes that best meet your needs. As you look at available homes, you may need to revise your checklist based on current market conditions. That’s OK. We’re here to help you find the home you need so you can reap the benefits of telecommuting right here in Santa Fe.
