Reflecting on a post-pandemic world: lessons I’ve learned as a homeowner
As vaccinations increase and businesses begin to reopen in earnest, it's looking like the United States is on the fast track back to normalcy—and after a year spent mostly inside my home, I can't wait to get out. But, while I'm grateful for the chance to swap out my pajamas for all the new outfits I bought during quarantine, I've also gained a deeper appreciation for my home in a post-pandemic world. And in honor of National Homeownership Month, I decided to reflect upon some of the things I took for granted—until the pandemic forced me to recognize just how lucky I am.
Things I took for granted in my home
Like most people, my husband and I started taking daily walks during the pandemic to stretch our legs and stave off cabin fever. That's when I realized how walkable our neighborhood actually is. Our side streets have little traffic, and there’s a wooded area with trails nearby. When you live in a major city, it’s nice to have access to nature without needing to drive to a park.
Our house has a separate room in the basement that we transformed into a home gym during the pandemic. Being able to work out at home helped relieve some COVID-related anxiety, and gave us an outlet for the stress and frustration of the last year.
What I appreciate most about my home
Since the pandemic, I’ve become more grateful for my back yard. When my husband and I bought our house, we thought the back yard was too big. During the pandemic, it was the perfect size for hosting friends safely and comfortably. We had enough room for our guests to distance themselves around the fire pit while staying warm.
During the winter, having a screened-in porch also meant we could invite a friend or family member over, sit six feet apart, and not be as exposed to the elements.
Because my husband and I have worked at home for several years, we made sure to buy a house in which we could have our own individual home offices. These rooms became even more valuable during the pandemic, because they gave us each a space to retreat to. If either of us had a Zoom call, we could close the door and have total privacy. And unlike our previous apartments and rentals, we didn’t have to worry about neighbors in adjoining units.
How to increase quality of life and home value
During the pandemic, my husband and I completed the fencing in our backyard. We wanted to give our dogs some space to run around—and cut back on the number of walks we needed to take them on every day.
A new fence will likely have a positive impact on a home’s resale value. As more and more millennials buy homes, many are looking for fenced-in yards for both their pets and children.
After fixing the fence, we also updated our landscaping. New landscaping has a 100% ROI, one of the highest for home projects. The landscaping should also encourage more bees to pollinate my outdoor vegetable garden, possibly yielding a larger crop this summer.
Final thoughts
Improving your home costs money, so any time my husband and I embark on a new project, we make sure it’s something that we’ll enjoy. As most of us discovered during the pandemic, your quality of life is greatly impacted by your home. Don’t do projects just because they have a good ROI; do them because they’ll add more joy to your life as well. As National Homeownership Month begins, consider what you really want out of your home and how to make the most of it—both financially and personally.
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