Wheelchair access

5 Tips to Help You House-Hunt for an Accessible Home

When you have a disability, a lot of the standard advice for dealing with life’s challenges can be a little irrelevant. Basic tips for house-hunting, for instance, may not take into account key factors such as accessibility or the difficulties you face during the process of shopping around. And if you have a disability, you know how important it is for you to find a home that meets your needs. Accessibility in your day-to-day vastly improves your quality of life. A lack thereof, on the other hand, has an adverse effect not only on your personal life but on your work and education as well. So here are some house-hunting tips especially geared towards those in search of accessible homes.

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1) Know your budget.

This is a necessary first step for any home buyer. But when you are shopping with a disability, your budget needs to include additional expenses or considerations. In general, living with a disability can entail extra costs that others may not have to deal with or even think about. Make sure your budget for home-buying also includes costs for personal assistance, health care, special nutritional needs, and hiring disability-friendly movers. Also, be aware that there may be funding and resources to assist you in meeting these expenses.

Another cost you’ll need to consider is hiring movers. Moving averages $970 nationally, but costs can be much higher depending on the distance and difficulty of the move, items and furniture you’re moving, and where you live. To find reputable movers, Google “local moving companies near me” and look over reviews and testimonials from past customers. 

2) Make a list of needs and wants.

Every house-hunter goes in with a general idea of what they are looking for in a dream home. Sometimes it has to do with amenities, such as the number of bathrooms or the size of the kitchen; other times, it has to do with aesthetics, such as a wrap-around porch. When you are shopping for an accessible home, you need to put certain needs at the very top of your list. Some of these may include having the whole home on one story, entry ramps, an accessible bathroom, wide doors and hallways, and a basement-free structure. Other features may be desirable but not necessary as they can more easily be added should you opt to make modifications.

3) Decide what modifications you can make.

It would be amazing if you could find the perfect accessible home in the best imaginable location. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen. Fortunately, there are many modifications you can make that can turn a so-so home into a perfectly accessible home where you can truly settle in and enjoy your autonomy. Features such as accessible switches and handles, grab bars, or anti-slip flooring can always be added later without too much cost or hassle.

4) Work with the right real estate agent.

A good real estate agent will understand your unique needs and advocate for you in the housing market. Get references and read reviews before choosing a realtor, and see if you can find one who has experience assisting either older adults or those with disabilities. A good realtor will understand the Fair Housing Act and avoid any discriminatory practices. They will also be aware of resources that can help you afford the home you are looking for. 

5) Consider the location.

Some significant considerations, when it comes to location, include whether or not accessible amenities are in proximity. Is there a grocery store you can easily shop at? A drug store? What about access to health care? Also, consider safetyissues. These will extend beyond typical concerns about crime, traffic, or pollution. You also need to be sure the community infrastructure will allow you to be active and mobile without undue risk. So consider such details as the width of sidewalks and steepness of grades. The location you choose may depend partially on budget, too. Look at average home prices in your area of choice to see whether you can afford to buy there. Before you decide to start shopping in a particular area, note that median home prices are up more than 20 percentin Tampa in the last year alone.

It’s important for everyone to have a home in which they can feel safe, secure, and free to enjoy both work and recreation. This is as true for those with disabilities as it is for anyone else. Talk to your realtor about your concerns and keep these guidelines in mind as you shop so you have a clear vision of the home in which you truly can thrive.