This week, the Bunch Team is happy to host guest blogger, Candace Sigmon! You could say Candace Sigmon was born to DIY. She has always loved to tinker, fix, and build, and she has been working on home projects with her dad pretty much ever since she could hold a hammer. She created AtHomeHelper.com because she thought it might be fun to share some of what she has learned along the way as well as resources that she finds especially useful.

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Watching your in-home business grow is an exciting time. However, what do you do if you start to outgrow your home? To keep the convenience of working and living in the same place, you can upgrade. Consider these five tips from the Bunch Team for finding a house that accommodates your family and your business.

1. Evaluate What You Need

What isn't working for you currently, and how could you improve on it in your next home? Evaluate the needs your home is not meeting and write down exactly what you need from a new one. Make sure you account for future growth. For example, if you know that your production area will need to expand in the future, look for a home with a large backyard where you can add on a separate building for production. Work with the Bunch Team Realty Group to help you find exactly what you need within your budget.

2. Research Homes in the Right Location

Location is everything in real estate. Where you live is often much more important than the home you live in. Location affects your life and your resale value. Perhaps you love the idea of living in the middle of the woods, miles from the nearest school or store. That may be perfect for you. However, when your business outgrows that home and you need to sell and move again, you'll sell significantly faster in a more desirable area.

3. Set Up an Office Space

Once you get into your new home, set up your office space. You need an area of the house far from the busiest parts. Anything near the kitchen or living room will be distracting. Paint the room a color that makes you feel motivated, and get everything organized so you can get right to work with nothing slowing you down. Make sure you choose a room with plenty of natural lighting. Research shows that natural lighting in an office setting makes you more productive and happier in your space overall.

4. Purchase the Right Insurance

Insurance is an important part of any home. The average policy covers damages to the house's structure and offers coverage for stolen belongings. It may also protect you from liability for injuries that occur on your property. However, if you want something that will cover your HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems, you need a home warranty. Make sure your appliances are covered as well. You can renew the contract annually. Be sure to do your research before choosing a home warranty company. Be sure to check out home warranty reviews and get quotes before you commit.

5. Make Updates

Make the updates you need to make the property perfect before you move in. When you run a business out of your home, you need the space to be ready to go as quickly as possible. Having renovations or repairs while living and working there can be a major frustration and distraction. If you want a larger garage to store products or supplies for your company or a bigger office area to accommodate staff changes in the future, prioritize those changes before others.

The need to upsize your home is a sign that your business is thriving. Giving yourself more adequate space to work keeps your success on the incline. It's the motivation you need to catapult to the next level.



This article is brought to you by Cindy Bunch, Realtor with the Bunch Team Realty Group at Keller Williams Atlanta Partners. Learn more about our team and reach out to us anytime to help with your real estate goals.