Remote Work + It’s Impact.

How has working from home impacted the Central Illinois home choices? Well, globally, working from home has had a lasting impact. In fact, according to some studies, as much as 70% of the labor force is working from home at least 5 days per month, as of 2025. And this impact has not only affected individual lifestyles and corporate dynamics, but it has significantly influenced the real estate market as well.

Today, let’s explore the impact of remote work on central Illinois home choices.

• A migration out of the cities. When the need for a daily commute went out of the picture, it sparked a huge migration to more rural areas. We saw this as a result of the onset of the pandemic in 2019. Now, as working from home is now here to stay for many with more and more companies incorporating it into the framework of their work culture, we continue to see a higher demand for housing, like Central IL. 
• Small town rejuvenation. In tandem with this movement towards more rural living, it has been amazing to see some new life breathed into small towns in central Illinois! Between 2019 and 2021, many small towns in the central Illinois region saw an influx in their population, allowing for more robust local economies and some exciting fresh energy. As a small-town and small-businesses lover, this has been so fun to see unfold over the past few years! 
• Prioritizing home offices. Another huge impact of remote work in real estate has been the demand for housing with home offices. Homeowners have begun to prioritize a floorplan that includes a quiet workspace, or an extra bedroom that can be repurposed, more than ever before. 
• Rising home prices in rural areas. Supply just couldn’t keep up with the sharp increase in demand, resulting in housing prices that increased as much as 60% globally between 2019 and 2021. Springfield, IL, for example, saw a 6.2% year-over-year increase in their median home price by the end of 2025.

So, what does this mean for those of us living in Central Illinois? It means that these are exciting times, with an increasingly competitive and robust real estate scene. As always, the Sue Neihouser Team is more than happy to assist and offer our expertise in any way we can as you and your family take steps to “unlocking new doors” in Central Illinois – selling or buying!