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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mubington on July 24, 2015, 06:47:53 PM

Title: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: mubington on July 24, 2015, 06:47:53 PM
What do you think the perfect size house is for a single person who works from home? Is there any upper limit on the area usefulness of solo living?




Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: forummm on July 24, 2015, 07:01:56 PM
I guess it's really a matter of taste. I lived in a space less than 100 sqft for 6 years, and worked from it daily. It worked for me.
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: ender on July 24, 2015, 08:53:16 PM
If you buy rural, be careful that you are not stuck with your current job (or significant hassle for relocating/commuting).

Perfect size is very variable. You don't seen to have roommates which to me would be a good option for saving a bunch of money fast.
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: ShoulderThingThatGoesUp on July 25, 2015, 04:37:12 AM
Personally I need my workspace separate from my living space so I don't think about work all the time. I don't plan to see my desk until Monday morning. I work from home full-time, so I have a slightly larger house to accommodate that. It's worth it.
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: alsoknownasDean on July 25, 2015, 05:03:52 AM
A two bedroom place? Stick the home office in one bedroom and live in the rest?
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: trufire on July 25, 2015, 07:00:31 AM
I would try for a 2 br or possibly a 3 br place. There are several variables to consider. I was in your shoes years ago but did not work from home. I ended up buying a small 2 br cape style house in a good neighborhood that had a good elementary school which was 5-15 min dr to work. Why? Although I had no children or had plans, I knew that if I wanted to sell the home, I had a better chance of making money (I broke even because I had to sell when the market was down to buy a new house with my newly wed wife who wanted something to consider "ours" and was closer to her work). 

Things I considered at the time

Property tax (larger more $)
General upkeep cost (larger more $)
Utilities (generally, larger more $)
The larger a place, the more you have to clean!
Sometimes a great deal can be had for a larger place in a great location->future resale/investment
Location
Structural issues, bad roof, heating and cooling, exterior state can be expensive fixes or deal breakers

It sounds like you are in a very good position because you can be patient and have a better chance getting exactly what fits you. So many people are in a rush, fall in love with a place and then overspend.  Good luck in your search!
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: former player on July 25, 2015, 01:26:29 PM
Speaking as a single person who has occasionally worked from home -

Bedroom.  Kitchen/diner.  Sitting room.  Study/library/office.  Bathroom.  These could be all in one big space (except for the bathroom, maybe) if open-plan living appeals to you.  Otherwise, none of the rooms has to be particularly big.

Guest room only if you are likely to have frequent guests.  Otherwise you won't use it from one month to the next, and are better off with a sofabed in the sitting room.
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: frugaldrummer on July 26, 2015, 10:43:28 AM
Seems like two bedrooms would be ideal (I like the idea of keeping work confined to an office/bedroom so it doesn't take over your life). However, three bedrooms is undeniably better for resale, AND gives you flexibility if you were going to get a roommate or partner in the future.

If you're asking what's the smallest house you could get away with, it depends on the climate. In a mild climate where you can use outdoor patios or decks to expand your living space, and a 600-700 sf two bedroom cottage might be fine. If you live in a harsher climate where more time is spent indoors, I'd say 800 sf minimum.

In my younger days I lived in a 800 sf 2 1/2 bedroom one bath house which was well laid out and had a large deck; we were a couple with a baby and a live in nanny and it worked fine, so it would be more than enough for one.

Much later I lived with my mom in her 1,050 sf three bed two bath home which was quite luxurious.

Also....if you find a one bedroom cottage that you love, is the climate such that you could add a large garden shed converted to an office? 
Title: Re: What sized house for a single person working from home?
Post by: lbmustache on July 26, 2015, 01:28:55 PM
I lived on 500sqft and was totally content. A bit small at times (especially with guests) but day to day, totally livable and cozy. Long term, maybe 2bd, ~1100sqft. I am not a fan of big homes in general, and especially not as a single person.