Written by Alice Robertson      Photo by Marcus Aurelius from Pexels

It’s no easy task to find a home that can accomodate a mobility issue while also checking off all the requirements on your wishlist. After all, the world was not made for people with alternate abilities. And while most house hunters are used to making a few compromises in their search, those of us who use a wheelchair to get around may find the challenge one of our most daunting yet. The Reasonable Realtor has some tips on finding an accessible home as you plan to age in place.  (Take this FREE FSBO QUIZ to see if you should even try selling your own house.)

 

Financing Your Purchase

 

Most people start their search for a new home by browsing listings online. That is certainly how my wife and I began our home-buying endeavor. While there’s nothing wrong with getting inspiration this way, we found out quickly that the best way to go was to get money in order before we got too excited.

 

There are many different options for financing a home purchase, so be sure to do your research. Certain types of financing are reserved for people who meet specific criteria. For example, if you’re a veteran, getting a VA home loan is one of the best ways to finance your home. Not only can you get a home with no down payment, but VA mortgage rates are typically lower. To learn more about how much home you can afford if you take out a VA loan, research interest rates, APR, and potential closing costs to get an estimate on how much you’ll owe each month. And it’s a longshot, but check with your employer. They might have some small amount of assistance available for employees who want to move closer to the office.

 

Make a List 

 

It’s usually a good idea to make a list of needs and wants before starting your search. This step may be even more important when you need a home to have certain features. When we were looking, for example, we knew we needed at least three bedrooms since I work from home. We also wanted a house that I could get into easily without having to spend a ton of money on a ramp. Wide hallways was another must on our list.

 

Having your needs and wants sorted out will help you stay more organized. But once you actually start searching for houses, Homes.com notes that it’s a good idea to go through a checklist for each home you look at. Having a checklist ensures that you ask all the questions you mean to on each home tour. This will help you make a final decision.  

 

How to Make a Home More Accessible 

 

Most house hunters will agree that it’s hard to find a home that’s perfect in every way. If you’re having trouble finding a house that checks off all your boxes, don’t worry. It’s possible to make a number of modifications so that a home is more accessible. This is another area where you have to have your money in order. Renovations are expensive, especially if they involve making changes to the structure of the home.

 

Switching out flooring materials is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to make a home easier to navigate. For example, switching from carpet to hardwood or laminate flooring can make a huge difference in your home. 

 

Widening doorways, installing grab bars in the shower, and making countertops lower might also be good projects to take on. Installing ramps or stair lifts can open up your options even more, notes 101 Mobility, as these types of projects will allow you to look at two-story homes without having to make compromises. 

 

Other Considerations 

 

While the interior of your home might seem like the primary concern, you’ll also want to think about the outdoor spaces. Homes with extensive landscaping or large yards may require more work than you want to worry about. While it’s possible to hire someone to take care of the lawn for you, having a high-maintenance outdoor area will likely be expensive to deal with. This was an area where I struggled, since my wife and I love to cook together. I wanted to be able to host outdoor barbecues without feeling encumbered moving in and out of the house.

 

With every project involving updating the living space comes documents like receipts and, for larger updates, estimates from contractors. The paperwork adds up and may get lost over time. Consider scanning the documents and digitizing all the paperwork so it can be stored and accessed easily. It’s possible to keep them together in one file with the help of PDF file merger software, such as Adobe’s online tool Acrobat, an easy-to-use (and free) way to maintain all your important information.

 

You’ll also want to think about what the neighborhood has to offer. If you rely on public transportation or need certain services in the community, make sure it’s safe and easy to get to where you’ve got to go. 

 

Making a Smooth Transition 

 

After finding a home that will suit all your needs, you’ll want to arrange for a moving service as soon as possible. It’s important to research movers online so that you’re finding a reputable and affordable service. We got burned once by paying a deposit and then having to change our move date. The company refused a refund, which I thought was an unfair practice at best. Make sure you also look for other ways to save on moving day, such as renting an affordable storage container to help you handle all of your items. 

 

Finding an accessible home for sale takes a little more time and patience, but being willing to make modifications will ease your search. If you’re planning on staying in your home for many years, remember it’s okay to take things slower and be extra picky about certain factors, even the neighborhood and landscaping.