Live Work Housing - Work From Home Business
The Best Place to Live and Work
For centuries, people have merged their personal living space with their professional work space, as a means for enhancing both. Back in the day, the corner grocer would simply go up a flight of stairs, taking him from his business to his home, in a matter of seconds. Perhaps, back then it was done out of necessity; today it is being done because people are beginning to realize the huge advantages associated with this type of “live-work” arrangement.
Although live work communities are still a prominent part of the European culture, in America we often try to reap the same benefits of a live work space by converting a spare bedroom into a home office. In some cases, where the need for a work space doesn’t go any further than just having a place to set up a computer, this may do the trick. However, there are plenty of scenarios where this arrangement simply won’t do.
The “Live” Component of a Live Work Property
The Lofts were designed for an array of people who all have one thing in common; they want the convenience of living in the ‘burbs without sacrificing the cool lifestyle that comes with living in the city.
With an open, spacious living space, including an urban-designed kitchen with island and 9 foot ceilings throughout, your home is stylish to say the least. An attached 2-car garage provides the convenience
and security that is almost impossible to find in the city. Add in the fact that these are amongst some of the most “green”, energy-efficient homes in nation and you’ll find gratification knowing that you’re
not only helping to save the planet, but saving lots of money in the process. View Live Work Home Photos >>
The “Work” Side of Living in a Live Work Building
It’s not just a professional work space—it’s your professional work space and it’s literally 12 steps from where you live. You own it and can pretty much use it however you wish. Make it an artist studio,
a law office, a dance studio, a computer repair business or whatever else you’ve always dreamed of. Since your work space has its own separate entrance and is just steps from HomeTown’s town center, it’s a
perfect space for customers to visit. Just the work space alone has approximately 635 sq ft and is equipped with a full bathroom. Or, if you’d rather use the additional square footage to increase the living
space of your home, the space can be designed as a family room, an additional bedroom and a 3rd full bathroom. View Live Work Office Photos >>
Having the Time of Your Life Working From Home
Did you know that, in Chicago, the average one-way commute to work is 34.3 minutes? That’s over an hour a day or approximately 297 hours per year that the average person spends behind the wheel. And that’s just the average. How long is your commute? Our guess is that you could probably think of something better that you’d rather be doing with your time. Whether the extra time allows you to finally start that exercise routine you’ve been putting off, read an extra book a month or simply spend more time with friends and family, we’re certain you’ll find something worthwhile to do.
Live – Work – Save with a Home Based Business
There are a number of ways in which owning a live work home will save you money. Consider the following;
- Gas money – With the average one-way commute to work being 34.3 minutes that comes out to be just over 900 miles driven per month, which means you are spending approximately $181 per month in gas. With today’s low interest rates, applying that same amount of money towards a new home would allow you to purchase $32,000 more home without increasing your net monthly expenditures.
- Car maintenance and wear and tear – It only makes sense that the less you have to drive your car and less you’ll have to spend on things such as oil changes, new tires and brakes, cleaning, etc. You’ll also save money on auto insurance and your car will have a higher resale value when you go to sell it.
- Tax write-off – With a dedicated work space the IRS allows you to write off a portion of your mortgage payment, as well as phone, electric, gas and any other utilities necessary to operate your work space.
- Dress clothes – Working in a formal business office usually means that you have to dress the part. When it is your own business you make the rules. Consequently, you’ll end up saving money on new dress clothes, dry cleaning bills, etc. And, if in the middle of the day, you have to meet with an important client; your full wardrobe is just steps away from your office.
- Higher productivity. Research has shown that most people who work from home are actually more productive than their counterparts who work at the office. Fewer interruptions, less small talk by the water cooler, and the ability to work when you’re feeling most up to it, rather than when the office building is open.
- Lunches at home – Think about all the money you can save by preparing your own lunch at home, instead of going to a restaurant every day. Cheaper, healthier and who knows—maybe you’ll even have time for a little nap before returning to work.
- Day care – If you have children you know that your schedule revolves around their schedule. If they’re sick, that usually means you’re stuck at home. In your Live Work home, your child can be resting upstairs and you are seconds away if they need something.