I do not tell clients that I am working out of my home, unless I am asked. Instead if people want to have a meeting, I usually suggest the local coffee shop or I have even rented a conference room in a local office building. I just like to play it safe and not invite clients into my home, but I have not had any negative comments when my clients when I tell them I work from home either.

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Kathy Altman
www.offsiteofficesolutions.com

I agree with the others that home offices are not unusual. I've known many professionals (accountants, lawyers, engineers, etc.) who have worked from their homes so I don't think that is too questionable. I do have concerns about those who volunteer that they work from home in order to be with the kids or that they work from the kitchen table. Those things are great and those who do it understand how it works, but it can raise concerns about priorities and professionalism among potential clients.
Say it with confidence, matter of factly, and don't act as if it requires any justification. Working from a home office is smart and doesn't require an apology or defense.

Best wishes,
Karen Cole
Aveon Business Services
www.aveonservices.com

These days, it's becoming commonplace for people with 9-5 jobs to work out of their homes to get everything done, so I don't see anything wrong with telling people you work out of your home office. I think it's something we hear so often that we don't think anything of it anymore - if anything, I've found more and more people expressing a wish to do the same!

There are lots of professionals who work from a home office nowdays. I think the key is to be professional and separate our work environment from home disruptions.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

Yes, very good question. I agree that working from a home office is not a issue for employers.

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Bonnie
Protege Business Solutions, L.L.C.

Good question and I agree that most would not find it to be something negative. I prefer to say I work out of "my home office" rather than I "work from home"... a slight difference but I think "home office" sounds more professional.

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LoriAnne
OnlineOfficeLink

Very good advice. I don't think that prospective clients assign more credibility to people who work in office buildings, and especially since technology is such that what really matters is how quickly you deliver your services and also the quality of your work.

We are so fortunate to live in the 21st Century, and with the present economic environment and the cost of commuting, more and more businesses are going to be going more towards the home-office concept. Granted, there are still what I call "dinosaurs" out there in management positions (working in big companies that can afford to hire permanent staff) who don't feel comfortable with the virtual environment and still think that a secretary is somebody who makes the coffee, picks up the mail, and above all else needs to be supervised 100% of the time. Oh, and yes I almost forgot, needs to look perpetually in her 20's and smile and look pretty all the time.

There is still quite a ways to go before all businesses, big and also some small, accept and recognize the benefits of virtual assistants. We VA's need to continue to educate everyone we talk with, I believe this is just the beginning of future business structures.

I have worked from my home in a seperate business (still do) and there has never been any questions asked or problems with it. The Home based business industry is always expanding.

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Cynthia Sebry
Your V.A. Diva

I had a potential client call a couple of weeks ago and my having a home office was a plus for him.

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Julia

Having a home office should not hinder whether or not you get the client. I definitely agree with everyone here. There are many people who have work/live spaces. It seems more economical and makes sense.