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New Year, New Home Office

By
Real Estate Agent with Pine Knoll Shores Realty NCRE# 242843

New Year, New Home Office

My home office has pretty much been non-existent.  My laptop is usually perched on the breakfast bar, my files in a bag in the corner, everything else is scattered throughout the house and car. 

recently read a post by Lenn Harley.  It was actually a reblog, and if I could find it again, I'd share it with you.  Anywho.... It inspired me to finally create a space that was mine, just for work.  The good news for me, is that we currently have 3 rooms in our home that noone ever uses.  Make that 2 rooms.... Tanner's new Drum Set took over one of those rooms.

We have a formal dining room that is home to a china cabinet, a buffet, and a table.  We have lived in our home for 6 years, and we have eaten in that room ONCE!  That's right.... ONCE!  So, the room is now mine.  I was so excited to create my "office" that I took the Christmas Tree down yesterday, and put all the decorations away.  I cleaned and scubbed the windows, the baseboards, the floors.  I took the china out of the cabinet (never used the china either), boxed it up and am now storing it in the kitchen.  The china cabinet is now home to all of my office supplies.  I know I should probably just get rid of the China, but I love it, so..... For now, it remains! 

I still have a lot of work to do.  Bring the filing cabinet (that I bought specifically for a home office) home and fill it with the paperwork that is crammed in baskets (lots of which I am sure can go in the garbage).  I still need to roam around the house and collect the items that I use all the time, and help them find a place in the room.  I must convince Layla, my dog, that there are 2532 more square feet in the house that she can choose from since I stole her favorite "spot" to place my computer table.  

So, I still have a little more work to do, but I am ready for 2012.  I cannot wait to take a business call and NOT sit on the foot of my bed with my phone & laptop and a scrap piece of paper.  I cannot wait to be in need of a Working with Realtors brochure and not have to ramsack the car or worse, drive to the office to pick one up.  I cannot wait to need an inkpen and very easily reach over the desk in my new home office to have my choice, and I will use that pen to write on the notepad that rests on my desk and not on the back of a receipt I found tossed on the dresser. When I need to print a contract and my printer runs out of paper.... There will be no need to run to another room to get paper, It will be right there!  

Life is too short to waste time, and now that I am setting up my home office, I realize just how much time I have been wasting by not being prepared.   Shame on me!

 

My goal for 2012 is to not work harder, but smarter!  I will start by finishing that home office and using it! 

Comments(138)

Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

Well, it sounds like you'll be more productive than ever with all these new changes. Good for you! All the best in 2012

Dec 28, 2011 12:57 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Hooray for you! My office is in the room that was intended for our pool table. But... after my kid got grown nobody ever played pool, so it's stored in the shop.

Now I just wish my room was inaccessible to the dogs and cats - and sound proof. Every time my husband walks across the kitchen floor I feel like someone is pounding on my head. Fortunately, he spends much of the day out in his shop, or I'd never get anything done.

Dec 28, 2011 01:13 PM
Debbe Perry
Real Living Carolina Property - Morganton, NC
828.439.3084 Morganton/Lake James NC

Great, Amy - you've already given yourself the energy boost each of us needs to propel us into 2012!!

I've only recently realized how overrated expensive office space/overhead is! I'm no longer owner of the office (thank God!), so I actually work more and more from my home office. This has taken some getting used to, but it's actually perfect for getting work done with minimal interruption and maximum "creative" time. And it faces the front of the house, so I feel I have a window to the world - love it! My office at work has no window, and I never realized how much I missed as a result. There's life out there!

I still, of course, do floor time, which gives me the opportunity to interact with my colleagues. What I have to realize is that that time is NOT my most productive, because it rarely is. I have super hearing, and I can literally hear every conversation that goes on in the office, whether I want to or not!

All the best to you in 2012!

Dec 28, 2011 01:27 PM
Spring Haigler
Tradd Residential - Myrtle Beach, SC
CRS, GRI, RSPS

Congratulations on your new home office, Amy! You won't miss sitting on the side of the bed with your laptop ;)

I can relate with #1's comment. My husband and I have separate home offices. In 22 years, I've never owned or leased a home without a room for a home office and that was even before the internet existed. It's one of the first rooms I look for when I'm in the market for a new home. My first priority is that it must have lots of natural light!

 

Dec 28, 2011 02:18 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I have a spare bedroom I use as an office.  However, we may have to down size and I may have an office like the one you have now.

Dec 28, 2011 02:25 PM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Hi Amy

Congrats on the home office space.  You have inspired me to look for my own home ofice space.  I am tired of boxes of files everywhere, and all the phone numbers on scraps of paper.

Dec 28, 2011 06:27 PM
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC
Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Thanks for all the wonderful comments!  I was too busy yesterday to comment individually to each of you, but my home office is almost complete.  I couldn't go to sleep last night without finishing up!  The only thing left is a motivational Poster (that many of you suggested) and the perfect trash can ;0)  Oh, and convincing the dog that she can chill out somewhere else.  She keeps coming in and staring at me in confusion :-(  

It is also good to know that I am not the only person who sits on the foot of the bed to work sometimes, and takes notes on whatever scrap paper I can find.  Will post pictures later on about the transformation!  Happy New Year!

Dec 28, 2011 09:40 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Amy, great post.  I have to use a regular office not in my home otherwise too many distractions.

Dec 28, 2011 10:02 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

Congrats on getting a home office up and running, if you work from home, it's huge to have a separate space that you can go to to minimize distractions and maximize efficiency. You'll love it as you are already recognizing. Happy 2012 to you!

Dec 29, 2011 12:05 AM
The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Amy,

This post is funny and surprising on many levels, i.e. you took down your Christmas tree already? you only ate in your dining room once? you are setting up an office in the same building as a drum set? you didn't make this members only?

Seriously, just kidding you here.  It is great that you are getting organized.  You have done pretty well so far and this will only add to your productivity in 2012!  Have a great new year!

Lisa

Dec 29, 2011 03:14 AM
Sandy McAlpine
RE/MAX EXECUTIVE - Cornelius, NC
Search Lake Norman Homes For Sale - Lake Norman NC

I love this story! Thanks for sharing. I felt the same way last year and I took over the dining room and half of my husbands office (which was the formal living room)

Dec 29, 2011 03:43 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

Amy, I do have a desk set up in my bonus room with a computer. I bought a very good printer/scanner last year. All I have to do now is clean out a large file cabinet that is currently in a downstairs closet and move it upstairs next to my desk. I had been hesitating to do this because my office is in a room with a TV and when my kids have guests, didn't want them to feel like they were in my office. With one in college and the other set to go next year, it's time to claim this space as my own.

Dec 29, 2011 06:22 AM
Anonymous
Peter Michelbach

Amy, congrats on your new office ~ may it serve you well ...let the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step... good luck, traveller

Soon, I need to de - clatter too...moving to my new home....I guess after the 8th owner builder project to have created the ideal, balanced and environmentally friendly home office ...with great natural lighting, a indoor bike, some good tapes and soothing music, a relaxing waterfall...~ Happy Holidays! Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2011 11:28 AM
#131
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Amy - Congratulations on your new office! I did that for 2011 and it feels great. I was always going from my desk in the kitchen to other rooms and to the office. I finally took the plunge and turned our "formal" never used living room into an office. It's so nice to have that space! Best to you in 2012!

Dec 30, 2011 04:16 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'm sure you will be surprised how much more work you will be able to accomplish. I just went to home office recently & took stuff out of an office that I had occupied for 10+ years & bring it all home. Most of the stuff I finally sold this weekend that will not fit anywhere here. I realized one important thing in the move - 50% of the stuff I thought I needed, I didn't. I should have thrown it all out years ago.

Jan 01, 2012 09:19 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Good for you, Amy!   I hope to work smarter this year too!

Jan 01, 2012 01:31 PM
Christine Blaski
Cornerstone Real Estate - Frisco, CO
Frisco, Summit County CO Realtor

Great job on the new office! It feels fabulous to know where you can find the simplest items that help you everyday. ie. a pen and paper.

Now that you've accomplished the new office task you will certainly be able to work more efficiently.

Enjoy the new office transformation!

Jan 09, 2012 04:41 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

Lenn * thanks for the heads-up about my SPAM comments - I do love UGG boots; however, I suspect I am too old for Pandora bracelets and charms....NOW, NASCAR ballcaps! They are so me!

Feb 24, 2012 08:36 PM
Amy Hahn
Pine Knoll Shores Realty - Morehead City, NC
Realtor/Broker - Crystal Coast, NC

Wallace - Just getting ready to email about the spam... I was sure it wasn't you!  I love Ugg boots too, but not that much ;0)

Feb 24, 2012 08:47 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

Checking that the SPAM comments were posted when I was sound asleep dreaming of the Daytona 500....

Feb 24, 2012 08:52 PM