- Accessible Home - Google
Most people consider owning their own home a fundamental right, a natural progression into the world of independent living.
But you can’t just wake up one morning, decide to buy a house and expect it to happen overnight. There are some steps you will need to follow to make your experience easier and more enjoyable.
Make a List of Your Needs
When you begin to think about buying a home, the first thing you need to do is make a thorough list of what you need and want in a house. This list will also help you to decide if owning a home is truly the right choice for you. Examples of the questions you should ask yourself include:
- What is your monthly and annual income?
- Will you be able to afford a house payment plus utilities?
- Will you be able to live by yourself or will you need 24-hour PCA care?
- Do you want a roommate?
- Where do you want to live?
- Who will perform the upkeep?
Home Loans and Accessibility Grants
After you have thoroughly considered these and any other possible question that may pertain to your ability to purchase a home, start doing research. Research the different types of home loans available, and the programs that are specifically tailored to potential homeowners with disabilities. Some of these programs include HUD’s Housing Choice Vouchers, Fannie Mae HomeChoice and FHA loans. Home loans vary from state to state.
While you are researching home loans, it is a good idea to also research loans and/or grants that you can get to help make your new home accessible if need be. Most of these loans can be combined with the home loan and therefore can be available for use as soon as you buy your home. Many accessibility grants (money that you do not have to pay back) will not let you file an application and prequalify before you buy your house. This generally means that you must find at least a passably accessible house that will work for you until you can get a grant. Contact your local CIL for more information on accessibility grants.
Begin Searching for an Accessible Home
Start your search with the Yellow Pages. Locate all the real estate agencies in the area where you want to buy a home and find their web addresses (real estate agencies in even the smallest towns usually have a website). Once you’ve browsed the listings different agencies have to offer, decide on one agency and ask to speak with an agent that has experience in dealing with the disabled. You might have to meet with several agents until you find one you like, get along with and trust will do the best job of helping you meet your needs.
Look for a realtor who knows something about universal design or accessibility. You want your home to work for you, not against you. Sadler Construction, based in Cary, NC, specializes in universal design for homes. Ask your realtor to check out their website to get an idea of what you might need in a home.
In most areas, one realtor will be able to show you any home, regardless of the agency that the home is listed with. This makes the home buying process much easier on a buyer with a disability since one realtor can get to know you and your accessibility needs rather than trying to deal with five different realtors.
Don't Rush the Home Buying Process
Be patient. Buying a home, much like waiting for a baby to arrive, is a long process with a great reward at the end. Don’t expect your dream of owning a home to happen overnight. The home buying process takes a great deal of research, time and patience and can be overwhelming at times. But if you are persistent and don’t give up, you can achieve your dream and become a homeowner.
Happy hunting!
Megan Abrams - I have lived with the effects of a childhood stroke for more than half my life and offer a uniquely personal perspective on disability.
