By Patrick Young
Most of the time, searching for the right home is no easy feat. But when you’re looking for an accessible home, the process can be especially challenging and drawn-out. Accessible homes are few and far between on the market, and it can take time to find a home that can be modified to your specific needs. However, if you prepare beforehand, you can set yourself up to find the perfect home faster—whether your goal is to accommodate a disability or to age in place. From knowing what to look for in a home to finding experienced contractors through Bontonde, here are some key factors to keep in mind along the way:
The Architecture
The overall architecture of a home is essential to ensure that it will meet your everyday needs. While it’s possible to modify almost any home, you want to make the fewest number of major modifications as possible. Look for single-floor homes with open floor plans, which will come in handy when you use a wheelchair or are planning to age in place. Homes that have a zero-step entry in place can also save you from having to make modifications. Moreover, make sure any home you’re considering is structurally sound—from the roof to the ceilings to the floors.
The Budget
It’s also critical to create a budget for your new home. Write down all of your specific needs, evaluate your finances, and estimate how much you can spend overall on your new home. Remember to factor modifications and renovations into your budget. Then, you’ll be ready to research your area for recently-sold homes to get an idea of how much you will need to spend.
One way to save money on your home purchase is to find a home that is selling “as-is.” This typically refers to a property in which no improvements or upgrades were made prior to putting it on the market. If you’re interested in a fixer-upper, this might be the way to go. However, it’s essential to speak with a lawyer, look at land records, and closely inspect the property for any hidden issues. That way, you know exactly what you’re getting with the property and what improvements you will need to budget for.
The Professionals
The more qualified professionals you can afford to hire, the better because it will help to speed up the process and make it less stressful. For example, be sure to find an experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the entire home search and purchase process. Use resources like Bontonde to find a reputable contractor who can make any necessary modifications to your home. And budget for a great moving company early in the process; be sure to read online reviews before settling on movers.
The Modifications
Finally, there are many modifications to look into for making your home as safe and comfortable as possible. You can have your doorways widened, floors replaced, and ramps installed to accommodate a wheelchair. Special lighting can be installed to reduce glare. Lowering your countertops and light switches as well as installing a walk-in shower are also great ideas. And you can make a number of DIY changes, such as putting in grab bars, a shower seat, and other accessibility accessories.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to make your home more accessible. Spend time researching your options so that you can determine what will best meet your needs.
Whatever your specific needs, finding a home that helps you lead a high quality of life is critical. Remember to focus your home search on properties with accessible architecture, and determine a budget early in the process. Also, hire a great team of professionals, and learn about all the modifications out there that can make your home more accessible. Taking these steps will increase your chances of finding the perfect home for your current and future needs.
If you need to find a qualified contractor or generate proposals and estimates for your clients, visit botonde.com today!