(Submitted by Andy Hughes.)
Home-based businesses are surging in popularity, but not all homes are equipped to house a business. Your home may lack sufficient space for a dedicated office or be unsuitable for meeting with potential clients. If you’d like to upsize your house and start a home-based business in Pendleton, OR, or the surrounding area, get the house-hunting process started with these tips.
Searching for and Purchasing a Larger Home
Find a real estate agent who specializes in your desired area. Meet with them to explain what you’re looking for in a new house. Consider both new builds and older homes, but know that older homes usually require an upfront investment in upgrades as well as regular maintenance. If your time is limited, focus on finding a newer home in great shape.
When evaluating properties for home office potential, consider your space requirements. Will a spare room work, or do you need a self-contained suite? Would a separate structure be ideal? Share your preferences with your realtor so they can prioritize possible matches.
Setting Up Your Home Office
Once you purchase a bigger house, updates may be needed to create the perfect work environment. Will clients visit you in your office? If so, you may want a separate entrance and a small waiting area.
At a minimum, your home office will need:
- Furniture, including a desk and an ergonomic chair
- Technology, such as a laptop, monitor, printer, surge protector, and paper shredder
- High-speed internet access
- Excellent lighting
- Storage, such as a filing cabinet and shelving
- Office supplies
Most items can be purchased online, and companies like Amazon and Wayfair have professional accounts with special discounts and features. You can even set up office supply subscriptions, so you don’t have to worry about reordering.
Registering and Promoting Your Business
If your business is new or you’re moving across state lines, you may require some combination of licenses and permits. If you’re forming a limited liability company or LLC, work with a lawyer to file the necessary paperwork or save money by filing through an online formation service. Find the requirements for incorporating in your state and follow these steps to set up your LLC.
Look for opportunities to promote your start-up. While traditional advertising, such as print ads and sponsorships, can still be effective, your business will benefit most from a strong online presence. Hire a designer to build a professional-looking site, or create your own using Wix, Square Space, or WordPress.
You can easily create an attention-grabbing banner for your website using an online tool. Start from scratch or search for a banner maker with a huge template collection. Choose a template, then customize it using your brand’s colors, fonts, and tagline. You can even add a short animation or video.
Upsize for Success
Moving to a larger home to make room for your new business is a good idea if your current home doesn’t offer the office space you require. Finding the right property and getting your office set up can take time, but the work-life balance you achieve could pay off in spades. If you’re looking for a larger home in Pendleton, OR, contact Eastern Oregon Living to find the perfect property.
