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Headed Back Into the Office? You May Decide To Move

The Gentry Team March 7, 2025

It’s no secret that remote work has surged over the last few years. And that flexibility gave a lot of people the freedom to move — and work — from wherever they wanted.
 
But now, a growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need to move.
 

How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing

During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with yards, while others relocated to more rural areas. But lately, more people are returning to the city.
 
And according to data from Bright MLS, more than half of workers surveyed would have to rethink where they live or deal with long drive times if their job enforced a return-to-office policy (see chart below):
 
 
And maybe you’re one of them. If you moved farther out of the city during the work-from-home era, you may be facing a longer commute that you never expected to make daily. Once you’ve done it a few times, you might find it’s something you can get used to and isn’t as bad as you may have thought.
 
But sometimes, it’s just too hard to make it work — no matter how much you try. A drive or train ride that seemed fine once or twice a week can feel like too much of a grind five days in a row. It may also cost too much to commute so often, take too long, or cut too far into your free time. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, notes:
 
“During the pandemic, when remote work became the norm, homebuyers were able to move farther out. But workers do not have the same flexibility that they used to, and some are going to have to make a tough choice if and when their employer calls them back into the office full-time.”
 
If you’re thinking you may want to move, don’t stress. Talking to an agent can help you weigh your options. Whether it’s finding a home closer to work, balancing commute time with affordability, or even selling a home in one area to buy in another, having a pro on your side makes the process easier.
 

Bottom Line

If having to be back in-office has you considering a move, let’s connect. That way you have an agent to help you figure out what’s possible and what makes sense for you.
 
Where do you see yourself living if your commute or work routine needs to change? 

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If working with a team that truly gives back to the community matters to you, we would make a great match. Reach out today to get started on buying or selling your home with a team that knows Moore County inside and out. With decades in the industry and an exceptional team of sales specialists, The Gentry Team has sold more homes than any other real estate firm in Moore County—and more than the total volume of most real estate companies in the region. This level of experience is unmatched, allowing us to help you sell your home for top value while anticipating and handling every detail along the way. We work collaboratively, combining our collective expertise to achieve the very best results for our clients. It is an approach built on trust, teamwork, and proven success. When you work with real locals, you get real results.

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THE GENTRY TEAM

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5 Chinquapin Rd
Pinehurst NC 28374