It’s All About Staying Home
Stay at Home -stay safe – save lives. These words will be synonymous with 2020 for ever.
People may well have spent more time in their homes than ever before. Maybe this will give home a new appreciation. It is the hub of our lives - it identifies our ambitions and allows individual creativity to run riot without recourse to others. So, will it change the emotional and practical value of home? Maybe.
It is all down to technology. Working remotely from home wasn’t an option for most twenty years ago. By nature humans tend to gravitate together so isolation has been a steep learning curve for many. Collective visual meetings and chats have come to the fore – distance learning at its best.
For many the lure of the office morning meeting and early evening drink will be what returns life to normal (if that is what it will be) - the commute – the workplace banter cannot be replaced. For many home will have symbolised a sanctuary in difficult times and no doubt many of the jobs on the “to do” list have been achieved - DIY to the fore and gardens will have never been tidier!
It cannot go unnoticed that the economy will take a big hit, jobs affected and by default lenders will be cautious with lending criteria. On the positive side the renewed enthusiasm for getting on with life will quickly regenerate business and open opportunities for a fresh approach to living.
Multi- generational living was quite normal and, in many countries still is. Pooling the capital created by the baby boom generation together with the enhanced income of current executives may create opportunities for the purchase of the country house, the waterside retreat or statement town house.
So, working from home, whether it be office bound with multilateral Zoom call conference calls or the practical business that needs workshops, studios or just outside space. All options will be considered and life could well change beyond all recognition. The carbon footprint and environment will benefit so some good can be seen from a world pandemic – let’s hope the trend can be sustained.
Uphill, Lustleigh offers multiple potential sources of income -or can be used a multigenerational home. A grade 1 listed building in the Dartmoor National Park with original “Solar” dating back to 14th century, as mentioned by Pevsner in “The Buildings of England” series. A studio, converted coach house (currently a holiday let) and workshops provide adequate spaces for the entrepreneurial to create an income in this magical setting. Strutt and Parker (01392 215631).
Hembercombe Farm. Broadhembury is a romantic Grade 11 listed thatched farmhouse with large “annexe” /party room or studio sitting on the edge of a favoured village close to The Blackdown Hills in East Devon. Four bedroom/three bathroom family accommodation also benefits from a large barn (with potential subject to gaining planning permission) or ideal as workshop space and all standing in 2.5 acres. Greenslade Taylor Hunt (01404 46222).
Whatever life’s needs home will be at the core - it is the constant – even if it evolves over the years. Practically, financially and emotionally it gives focus and purpose. Home - It’s all about coming home.