Actualité - Remote work: how the home office is redefining property choices

Since 2020, partial remote work has become firmly established in French professional habits, and this is concretely transforming property search criteria. A dedicated home office room, well insulated and well connected, has become a selling point almost as important as the number of bedrooms. This article details how this new use is influencing the sought-after floor area, budget, purchase geography and even the taxation of self-employed workers.

Key takeaways

Partial remote work (an average of 2 to 3 days per week) has become firmly established and is pushing buyers to look for an additional room dedicated to work.
Natural light, soundproofing and fibre-optic internet have become selection criteria just as decisive as floor area or aspect.
Medium-sized towns and the outer suburbs are becoming more attractive, driven by buyers seeking more space for an equivalent or lower budget than in major cities.
Self-employed people working from home may, under certain conditions, deduct part of the costs related to their office, a point to consider from the moment of purchase.

Partial remote work, a habit firmly established in 2026

Six years after the lockdowns that generalised remote working, remote work has not faded away: it has stabilised in a hybrid form, generally involving two to three days per week spent away from the office for a large proportion of managers and intermediate professions. This regularity changes the nature of housing needs. It is no longer a matter of improvising a corner office at the kitchen table, but of integrating a genuine workspace into the purchase project, on the same footing as a child's bedroom or a garage.

Estate agents and property advisors note that the question "is there a room for remote work?" comes up systematically during viewings, even among buyers without children. This criterion is now factored in from the very definition of the project, even before the search for listings begins.

A dedicated extra room: the new sought-after standard

Demand increasingly focuses on an enclosed office rather than a simple corner in the living room. Buyers want to be able to close a door, isolate themselves from household noise and visually separate work life from private life. This requirement has several direct consequences for property searches:

An additional bedroom becomes a non-negotiable criterion for many households, even two-person ones.
Convertible attics, conservatories and outbuildings (garden studio, workshop) are being reassessed as potential office spaces and are gaining in value.
Properties with outdoor space allowing an independent office to be set up (pool house, insulated garden shed) are attracting growing interest, particularly in outer suburban areas.

To assess this potential objectively before buying, it is worth using an online property valuation, which allows several properties to be compared and helps check whether the asking price correctly reflects the added value of an office room.

Practical criteria for a good remote-work space

Natural light and visual comfort

Spending several hours a day in front of a screen in a dark room quickly tires the eyes and hinders concentration. An east or south-east orientation, offering gentle natural light in the morning, is particularly sought after for an office. Buyers now systematically check the exposure of the room intended for remote work, in the same way as they do for the living room.

Sound insulation

Noise is one of the leading sources of disruption when working remotely, especially during video calls. Good soundproofing between the office and the other rooms of the home, and even in relation to the outside, has become a key point to check during viewings. Older properties with poor sound insulation may require additional work that needs to be budgeted for.

Fibre internet connection

A stable fibre-optic connection is now almost as decisive as having a garage. Before making any offer to purchase, it is advisable to check fibre eligibility for the exact address, as some rural or outer suburban areas remain poorly served despite the national rollout. This point should be confirmed directly with the operators, rather than simply assumed on the basis of the municipality.

Impact on sought-after floor area and budget

Incorporating a home office room into the property project mechanically results in an increase in the surface area sought, often an additional 10 to 15 m² compared to a need without a dedicated office. This requirement has a direct effect on the budget, in a context where prices per square metre remain high in major urban areas. Several strategies allow for trade-offs:

Accepting to move further from the city centre in order to gain surface area at a constant budget.
Favouring a property with development potential (attic, garage) rather than an already finished surface area, in order to spread the investment over time.
Reducing other less priority criteria (garden, second bathroom) in order to preserve the budget allocated to the office room.

An Optimhome property consultant with in-depth knowledge of the local market can help identify properties that offer this development potential without blowing the budget, drawing on their knowledge of neighbourhoods and the types of properties available.

The tax deduction for a home office for self-employed workers

For self-employed workers who carry out all or part of their activity from home, a room dedicated to an office may entitle them to a partial tax deduction. The principle is based on the allocation of the surface area of the home used for professional purposes:

A share of household expenses (electricity, heating, insurance, loan interest) can be deducted in proportion to the surface area of the office relative to the total surface area.
This deduction assumes that the room is exclusively or predominantly used for professional purposes, and not shared with everyday private use.
The precise terms depend on the self-employed worker's tax regime (micro-enterprise, actual regime, company) and should be confirmed with an accountant before finalising the layout.

This tax parameter can legitimately influence the choice of a property: favouring a clearly delimited room rather than an open space makes it easier to justify this professional share in the event of a tax audit.

The effect of remote working on the attractiveness of regions

The ability to work remotely several days a week has loosened the constraint of immediate proximity to the workplace. This has redistributed geographic attractiveness in favour of areas that were previously less sought after:

Medium-sized towns well connected by train (one to two hours from major cities) attract buyers seeking a more spacious and more affordable living environment.
The extended suburban fringe, beyond the immediate outskirts of major urban areas, appeals to households willing to accept an occasionally longer commute in exchange for a garden and an office room.
Certain rural municipalities with good fibre coverage and nearby amenities have seen an unprecedented renewed interest over the past several years.

This geographic reshuffling nevertheless remains nuanced: proximity to transport, schools and shops remains a key criterion, and complete distance from major cities is only relevant for those working remotely full-time or nearing retirement. Browsing Optimhome property listings by geographic area makes it possible to concretely compare prices and property types according to distance from major employment hubs.

Practical tips for choosing a property suited to remote working

Before signing a purchase offer, it is useful to picture concretely the everyday use of the future office. A few simple checks can help avoid unpleasant surprises after moving in:

Test mobile phone reception and fibre eligibility on site, at different times of the day.
Observe potential noise nuisances: busy street, neighbours, nearby construction planned in the local urban development plan.
Check the possibility of converting an existing room (office, laundry room, garage) without major structural work.
Anticipate the household's future needs: an office room can also become a child's bedroom, which argues in favour of a certain versatility of spaces.

Conclusion

Partial remote working is no longer a temporary phenomenon but a structural component of professional lifestyles in France, and it is lastingly reshaping the expectations of property buyers. A dedicated room, natural light, sound insulation, fibre optic: these criteria now carry as much weight as location or the number of bedrooms in the purchasing decision.

For self-employed workers, this development comes with a tax issue that should not be overlooked, while for buyers in general, it opens up new geographic opportunities towards medium-sized towns and suburban areas. Being supported by a local professional remains the best way to turn these new criteria into a realistic and well-targeted property project.

FAQ

Is a closed room absolutely necessary for remote working?

It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended for comfort and productivity. A closed room makes it possible to shut out noise and to separate professional and personal life. A well laid-out open space can be suitable for occasional remote working, but quickly becomes limiting beyond two days a week.

How can you check a property's fibre eligibility before buying?

You need to check the operators' coverage maps by entering the exact address of the property, not just the municipality. It is also advisable to ask the current owners or the managing agent about the connection quality actually observed. This check is essential before signing, especially in peri-urban or rural areas.

Does remote working justify paying more for an extra room?

This depends on the overall budget and how often the household works remotely. For regular use, the investment is often justified by day-to-day comfort and, for self-employed people, by the possible tax deduction. It is nevertheless advisable to compare several properties via a valuation to check that the extra cost remains consistent with the local market.

Which medium-sized towns benefit most from the rise of remote working?

Towns located one to two hours by train from a major city and with good fibre coverage are generally the most sought-after. They offer a more spacious living environment at a more affordable price, while still allowing occasional quick access to the main office. However, dynamics vary considerably from one region to another.

Can a self-employed person deduct their home office even when renting?

Yes, the tax deduction of a share of costs can apply to a rented home as well as to a property owned outright, provided the room is used for professional purposes. The procedures and supporting documents required vary depending on the tax regime chosen. Support from an accountant is recommended to ensure this point is properly handled.

How can you estimate the added value of an office room on a property?

There is no official scale, but a functional extra room generally increases the appeal, and therefore the perceived value, of the property. Comparing several similar listings with and without a dedicated remote-working space provides a first concrete indication. A local estate agent can refine this analysis by taking into account the specific features of the market.