Are you on the hunt for an accessible home? Finding and buying any home can be a complicated process, but things can become even more challenging for buyers who are living with disabilities. Some disabilities can require certain design elements and home features to ensure safety and comfort, which can make finding an accessible new home more of a hassle. Luckily, In addition to working with The Mark Hite Team, there are a few ways that buyers who are living with disabilities can save stress and time during their home search.
You May Need to Budget for Additional Modifications
When it comes to finding a home with accessibility features, each person’s needs can be vastly different. So during your house hunt, you may need to think about adding features and making modifications before or after you move into your new home.
One such modification you can consider is replacing carpet with hardwood flooring. If you use a wheelchair or other assistive devices, having hardwood floors can make it much easier to move about your home, and hardwood floors can also be easier to keep clean. While this can be a rather costly upgrade, choosing less expensive woods like pine or bamboo can keep project expenses more manageable. Having subfloors that are in good condition and completing the upgrade before your heavy furniture is moved in can also keep costs lower. For smaller homes and less-involved hardwood floor installations, homeowners can pay as little as $1,000. Other home modifications you may need to budget and plan for include widening doorways for wheelchair access or remodeling bathrooms for fall prevention.
You May Need to Use Grants for Accessibility Modifications
Making modifications to your new home may be your safest bet for ensuring that it truly fits your needs because finding a home that includes the accessibility features and upgrades you need to live a comfortable, safe, and independent life can be challenging. If you’re worried about being able to afford accessibility changes to a new home, rest assured that there are grants and funding programs that can help you out.
Both low-income and veteran homeowners may qualify for special grants aimed at helping those with disabilities make the necessary adjustments to their homes. VA grants can be especially helpful for veteran home buyers, since veterans can use these grants to purchase accessible homes or make needed upgrades. In addition to home modification and accessibility grants, qualified veterans who are living with disabilities may also be able to use VA loans to purchase a home with no money down. Then they can put the savings toward modifications.
You May Need to Use Online Tools to Find a New Home
Honestly, finding accessible homes can be a challenge for most buyers. This is an ongoing issue facing realtors and buyers alike, but there are few online resources that can make your search a little easier. From the Fair Housing Act to ADA requirements, you can use these resources to research specific requirements if you plan on purchasing a new home within a building or community.
If you want to buy a more traditional property, however, you may need to dig a little deeper to find properties that fit your unique needs. Your first step should be to take a look at the market and average home prices in the area where you wish to live. Next, you can compare listings you find through real estate websites that have been tailored to help those with disabilities. For example, the site Accessible Properties provides listings for homes, apartments, and other properties that all include accessibility design features. Just enter your zip code and you should be able to view wheelchair-accessible homes in your area. If you are looking for financial resources to help you buy an accessible home, know that there are programs and special loans for non-veterans, too.
Whether you need help financing or finding an accessible home that fits your unique needs, this guide can help. Refer to it as you begin looking for your new home to aid your search and relieve stress.
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Author: Patrick Young