Gain an efficient, attractive work space in your own home by following these recommendations.
Where to Locate ItThe "where" should depend on how you work and your family needs. "If you've got young children and want to keep an eye on them, a central location, perhaps in a kitchen corner, may be best," says Joshua Zinder, a Princeton, N.J.-based architect.
In other cases, a kitchen corner may be too highly trafficked for someone requiring quiet, says Atlanta designer Johnna Barrett. For different reasons, she frowns upon offices in master bedrooms. "You have to put away work every night so it's not in view or it will be tough to get away from it," she says.
Other questions to ask before deciding on where to locate your office:
Do you need privacy, quiet, and a door to keep family out?
Do you need sunlight and views—which may rule out a windowless basement?
Do you need room for clients to meet with you? If so, you should nix a walk-in closet, alcove, or second-floor spare bedroom as options.
What Furnishings You Need
Think about how you like to work: Do you like to sit at a desk or big table to spread out papers, stand up, or have mobile work stations in several rooms?
If long periods need to be spent working at a computer, Kristie K. Abruzzo, owner of The Back Place in Kalamazoo, Mich., stresses the importance of having the right work surface, monitor, keyboard, chair, and storage.
Work surface. A work surface should be level with your elbows so you are able to get close enough to the keyboard without leaning forward or reaching up, which puts extra pressure on your neck and shoulder muscles, says Abruzzo. Leaning against the back of the chair for support is also important, she says. Barrett has found attractive, functional, and mid-priced desks at retailers like Crate and Barrel, Ikea, and West Elm.
Pending home sales rose again, marking eight consecutive monthly gains – the longest streak since measurement began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in September, rose 6.1 percent to 110.1 from a reading of 103.8 in August, and is 21.2 percent higher than September 2008 when it stood at 90.9. The gain from a year ago is the largest annual increase on record, and the index is at the highest level since December 2006 when it was 112.8.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the momentum is understandable. “What we’re witnessing is a rush of first-time buyers trying to beat the expiration of the tax credit at the end of this month,” he said. “Home values will stabilize sooner rather than over-correcting. That, in turn, will mean wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families and lay the foundation for a durable economic recovery.”
NAR estimates approximately 3 million renters are now financially well-qualified to buy a median-priced home. “As long as buyers do not overstretch and stay well within their budget, a sizable pent-up demand can be tapped among financially qualified potential buyers,” Yun said. “Although the tax credit is greatly reviving the existing home market, new-home sales may continue to struggle as home builders hold back production to drive down inventory. In addition, there remains an ongoing credit crunch for construction loans.”
Average 30 yr fixed rate:
Last week: +0.01%
This week: -0.05%
Stocks (weekly):
Dow: 9,800 -200
NASDAQ: 2,060 -100
***William Raveis Mortgage weekly rates ending 10/30/09 **Rates Subject to Change and final credit approval***
15 YR Fixed Conforming 4.375% 4.520%
15 YR Fixed Jumbo 5.625% 5.839%
30 YR Fixed Conforming 4.875% 5.027%
30 YR Fixed Jumbo 6.000% 6.163%
30 YR Fixed Super Jumbo 6.000% 6.163%
5/1 YR ARM Conforming 3.625% 3.640%
5/1 YR ARM Jumbo 5.000% 4.018%
5/1 YR Portfolio Arm 4.875% 3.711%
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