Office space finds a place in new home plans

A new home without a dedicated office would not be worth much to Kip Murphy.

Murphy, an account executive for Dell Computers, works from his Bartlett home and does not commute to a company office.

That's what made the office space critical when he and his wife, Lisa, purchased the home at Regency Oaks last summer.

"Every night before I go to bed I check my e-mail to be sure nothing is outstanding. My customers know that I'm always available, but I don't get 3 a.m. phone calls. I used to."

Besides his computer and phone systems, other office equipment is important, too.

He has a large desk and the classic Aeron chair from Herman Miller.

Murphy would like to get more bookshelves. And his office is open to the family room without doors. Since the Murphys had their first baby last month, that might have to change.

"It was important to have an office space, and it was important that it be on the first floor. In our other house, I converted the living room into my office."

Murphy is among millions of Americans who work from home.

A recent New York Times article pegged it at 4.2 million people working exclusively from home and as many as 20 million who work part time. Other estimates have been higher.

Regency Oaks is built by Kimball Hill, which shows home office space at every community, says Ruth Stefl, sales manager for the company.

"We see far more of it today than even five to 10 years ago, because of advances in technology, I'm sure. And we've taken this lifestyle change into account when designing our homes."

The homes still available at Regency Oaks start at about $500,000.

Offices also come in townhouses these days.

"Many buyers think only single-family homes provide adequate space for a home office, so they're surprised when they find that many of our townhome models devote an entire room to a private workstation," said Leigh Nevers, vice president of sales and marketing for Lennar's Chicago division.

"And our plans accommodate a variety of work styles, from the early riser who wants to jump out of bed to check their e-mail in the office next to their master suite, to the sizable lower level that provides a comfortable area for client meetings or conference calls."

At Arlington Reserve in Arlington Heights, the Devonhurst floor plan offers a second master suite that the company says is large enough to be an office and a guest room. Prices start at $355,900.

Trafalgar Woods in Morton Grove, Concord Commons II in Des Plaines and Morgan's Gate in Wood Dale not only have a lower level, but also feature three bedrooms so one can be used as a home office. Prices start at $307,000 in Wood Dale and are higher in the other two communities.

Buyers should take the location of the office into consideration when buying a home.

The fancy office inside a front door might be appealing, but the space back behind the kitchen where privacy is assured could be more practical.

And for some that second-floor room or loft is probably fine.

While Bigelow Homes shows an office in a model loft home at HomeTown Aurora, family computer centers for homework, paying bills and organizing photos are really more popular, said Mike Venetis, vice president of sales and marketing.

Bigelow includes modern wiring for phone and computers, he said. Options are available for wiring that connects computers throughout the house, but most people prefer wireless for that, he said.

The Lofts at HomeTown Aurora start at $234,190 and a home with an additional floor for an office or other use is available from $266,360.