Amid Return to Office, People Seek Support in Community-Oriented Homes

Among the most serious repercussions of the pandemic, apart from the health risks, were the interruptions in community life. Ordered to stay home for safety, people ceased meeting face to face and instead turned to online platforms for support amid the crisis.

Now that the number of coronavirus cases is stabilizing and people are returning to pre-pandemic activities, there seems to be a movement to re-establish and strengthen community ties. This trend is reflected in property platform Lamudi's data on top searched amenities.

A Craving for Connection
According to the company, almost 30 percent of amenity searches on its portal are for features that foster connecting with others, whether online or offline. These "social amenities" include the swimming pool, WiFi and broadband internet, gym, and garden.

There are several possible reasons for the popularity of the mentioned amenities. While we've seen these amenities enduringly popular amid the pandemic, the motivations for preferring these facilities over others may be tied to the gradual return to pre-pandemic activities. It's no secret that going back to what was normal can be quite overwhelming.

As much as getting used to working or studying from home required major adjustment, going back to the physical workplace or school is also a transition. For many, a solid community is essential for support, and this influences real estate decisions. Many are compelled to find a home equipped with spaces that allow them to interact with others.

Return to Pre-Pandemic Activities
Recently, more businesses urged workers to physically report to the workplace. The government ordered information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) firms to return to full office operations last April to keep tax incentives. The move contributed to a positive net take-up in the office sector for the first quarter of 2022, Colliers reported.

Net take-up refers to the change in occupied space between two periods. The net take-up for the first quarter was 26,000 square meters. The consultancy firm estimates that it will reach 350,000 square meters by the end of the year, which is a drastic increase from the annual net take-up of -274,000 square meters recorded in 2021.

Similarly, students are returning to schools. In a recent report, the Department of Education said that 56.89 percent of public schools nationwide have already adopted in-person learning amid the pandemic. Meanwhile, 5.47 percent of the total number of private schools have resumed face-to-face classes.

Property seekers coping with the changes and challenges of returning to office and school may go after communities abundant in social spaces for a morale boost. This preference is already shaping what the future home looks like moving forward from the global crisis.

A better built home environment is one that has dedicated spaces for community, fostering stronger ties. Real estate companies that thoughtfully plan their amenities help people come together, discover common interests and goals, and satisfy the need for social connection.

Emphasis on Collective Strength
As the property market values the community atmosphere in their homes, Lamudi is also putting a spotlight on collective strength as the real estate industry recovers from the pandemic. The company believes that the sector is ready to come together and make the shared vision of a better built environment for the Filipino people a reality.

The power of shared resilience is the focus of The Outlook 2022 by Lamudi, a lineup of in-person events that gather the most prominent and respected personalities in Philippine real estate to open avenues for discussion of the latest news and developments in the industry.

The Outlook 2022 features two highly-anticipated events: The Philippine Real Estate Conference and The Philippine Real Estate Awards. In the former, a gala night will be held in honor of the most outstanding property developments in the market. An esteemed panel of judges and active Lamudi property seekers surveyed decide which real estate projects are awarded.

Meanwhile, The Outlook 2022: Philippine Real Estate Conference will gather industry experts for in-depth panel discussions of issues that have been in the property market's consciousness over the past two years.

The Outlook 2022 is co-presented by KONE and in partnership with reputable media organizations Manila Standard, Business Mirror, Malaya, and Sunstar.

For event partnerships and inquiries, contact events@lamudi.com.ph.

For more information, visit https://www.lamudi.com.ph/

Contact us at: wecare@lamudi.com.ph

Lamudi.com.ph is the leading real estate platform in the Philippines. We offer sellers, buyers, and renters a secure and easy-to-use platform to find or list properties online. By connecting developers, real estate agents, and private owners with property seekers, Lamudi Philippines helps individuals find their ideal house, condominium, lot, or commercial property whether for personal use or for investment purposes. Our dedicated team aims to empower consumers by providing them over 160,000 listings to choose from, and by supplying the most relevant and up-to-date information in the real estate market today through our Journal, Trend Reports, The Outlook: Real Estate Conference, and Roundtable Series.

This release was published on openPR.