You heard it here first, people. During the COVID-19 property market boom, women have bashed through the gyp rock ceiling and taken over underutilised rooms in north shore mansions to create the perfect place to escape and unwind in peace.
Think rooms filled with indoor plants, cozy blankets and 42-inch Apple mac screens. It could be a spare office, art studio, music room, the options are endless.
Our team here at Ray White Lower North Shore Group has witnessed an unmistakable shift in the needs and wants of homeowners and those looking for a new property during the COVID-19 lockdown period that has created demand for these additional spaces to escape. The She Shed, a term I did not coin myself, is fast becoming the new done thing and taking over discussion boards on the local ‘Suburb Living’ Facebook pages.
Worldwide, homeowners are looking to their backyards for additional space, adding customisable sheds and spaces to use as offices, classrooms or workout studios. The pandemic has buoyed many of us to adapt the design of our homes and, thus, the way we live. Those with the money, creativity and unused space have wasted no time in building man caves, she sheds and outdoor rooms that allow us to live apart, together. For one, it’s a cost-effective solution to gain space without upsizing.
Leading shed manufacturer Easy Shed reported a massive 450 per cent spike in shed sales across Australia in the past 12 months. Sheds are being repurposed as separate living spaces, guest rooms, man caves, she sheds, aviaries,children’s playrooms, home offices, gyms, studios – even home distilleries, home cinemas and pool rooms.
COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way we live. Some of us will never again endure office commutes as we once knew them, whilst others may work two days at home and three back in the city.
The need to find more room is one of the key reasons we are seeing house prices soar into uncharted territory with no signs of slowing down.
The shift from size to saved time
It was only a few years ago there seemed to be a shift away from larger blocks with pools and tennis courts to find more low maintenance abodes. Homes that you could lock and leave for weeks at a time to travel the world without fear of returning to an overgrown jungle and green algae consuming the pool. Now, resort style facilities and easy-to-install sheds are back in fashion and may be here to stay.
And you know what… maybe it is fair enough that my dank, dark room with my dust covered home brew kit in the corner and forty-year old mounted dart board needs to go.
Talk to David about buyer trends in the Lower North Shore market.
David Gillan, Director
Ray White Lower North Shore Group
0411 255 914
david.gillan@raywhite.com
Image credit: Lowes Sheds
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