Simple but Effective Tips to Get You into an Accessible New Home by Patrick Young
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Simple but Effective Tips to Get You into an Accessible New Home
Although accessible home design (aka universal or inclusive design) is an architectural trend that’s gaining steam, the majority of houses on the market weren’t designed with your accessibility needs in mind. Having said that, not all homes are created equal when it comes to accessibility. Finding the right one and then taking steps to make it even better before you move in can be made easier if you are smart about it. Here are some tips to put you on the right path.
Figure Out Your Ideal Floor Plan
Your ideal floor plan will depend on your specific accessibility needs, but most accessible homes will have open plans, first-floor master suites, wide hallways and doorways, and at least one stair-free entrance. Determine your basic requirements and use that knowledge in your search.
Don’t Buy More Than You Can Handle
Be honest with yourself about your abilities and limitations, and use that to determine the size of both the home you need and its accompanying yard. With Lancaster homes having a median listing price of $235,000, it’s crucial that you’re honest about what you can afford as well.
Be Sure to Budget Smartly
There are a whole host of modifications you may need that don’t already come with the home you settle on. It’s imperative that you figure out the potential cost of these modifications and factor it into your total home-buying budget. The good news is that a lot of these modifications, such as installing ramps, handrails, grab bars, extra lighting, and non-slip floor and tub coverings, are easy DIY projects. But some modifications, like widening doorways, replacing shower units with accessible, walk-in varieties, and installing mechanical lifts, can be costly.
Don’t look at modifications as a burden. In reality, being able to mod your new home to have it perfectly suit your needs is one of the pros of owning instead of renting! You’re not going to be able to avoid them anyway — studies have found that only 5 percent of homes in the United States, as they stand, are fully accessible to someone with moderate accessibility needs.
Take Your Time and Take Care of Yourself
If house hunting isn’t a full-time job it’s a least a pretty tough part-time one. Remember to pace yourself and let the hunt progress at a deliberate pace. Don’t try to go to a dozen open houses every weekend or try to schedule multiple walkthroughs after work. Use apps and online resources to help you conserve energy. Make self-care an everyday priority. Eat a healthy diet. Practice stress-relief (it can be done in just five minutes). The better you take care of yourself the better the home-buying process with go — guaranteed.
Do This One Additional After Buying Your Home
At the end of the long, hard home-buying journey, you may want to call it quits. Nobody would blame you, but you can make what comes next (moving, unpacking, and settling in) so much easier if you take care of a few things early on before the moving process begins. First, think about security. Find a top-quality locksmith in your area, and they can help secure your home before you start filling it with your valuable possessions. The average cost of hiring a locksmith in Lancaster is $194.
Also, consider doing some searching and shopping for furniture and appliances that can help with accessibility, and even consider installing some smart home devices before you move in. Check out reputable local companies that can help you with the installation.
It would be misleading to say that finding an accessible house and turning it into a comfortable, accessible home is easy. However, you will be able to enjoy the experience and in the end succeed if you follow these simple but effective tips!
This article was contributed by one of our current tenants, Patrick Young.
