WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Universal Design and Aging in Place resources:

·        The National Association of Home Builders has a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program that teaches contractors how to modify homes for disability accessibility and aging-in-place.

https://www.nahb.org/education-and-events/education/designations/certified-aging-in-place-specialist-caps/Additional-CAPS-Resources-Search#sort=relevancy

·        The National Council on Independent Living is a network of city and statewide nonprofits focused on people with disabilities living independently, not in institutions.

 ItIt has a wide range of resources, including the Visitability guidelines created by Eleanor Smith.

https://ncil.org/visitability/

 

 

 

 

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Universal Design and Aging in Place resources:

The AARP is the largest nonprofit in the U.S., with 38 million members.

It developed the: Walk Audit Tool Kit “Learn how to assess and report on the safety and walkability of a street, intersection or neighborhood — and inspire needed change.”

https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/getting-around/aarp-walk-audit-tool-kit-english/

 Understanding Aging in Place and Accessibility is a must to capture a growing market

·        Selling a high quality of life to people with disabilities includes the barrier-free accessibility of the community beyond the four walls of their residence

·        Soon, there will be more Americans age 65-plus than under 18. Nearly 40 percent of those older than 65 have some type of disability that impacts their daily lives.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Universal Design and Aging in Place resources:

The AARP is the largest nonprofit in the U.S., with 38 million members.

Not only has it partnered with the NAR on many livability issues, but it also is becoming the nation’s go-to resource for developing information that supports a high quality of life for people of all ages and abilities. Some of its resources include:

HomeFit Guide “Smart ways to make a home comfortable, safe and a great fit for older adults — and people of all ages”

https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2020/homefit-guide-download.html

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

The bottom line is educating oneself DOES NOT require the expertise of a physical or occupational therapist, nor does it require personal or close family experience with a disability.

It simply requires being observant, asking a few questions and noting the downside of potential barriers and the upside of welcoming, accessible to all facilities.

REALTORS are already very good at this.

They are immersed in their communities.

They serve on municipal boards and committees with a higher frequency than many professions.

They already know how to sell community assets such as schools, parks, activities and transportation.

By simply raising awareness, digging deeper and taking a few notes – they can assemble a toolbox to capture the growing market of a graying America, many who benefit from barrier-free community design and facilities.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Many cities have adopted a Visitability code – which requires minimum access to the unit (32-inch wide, level door) and one accessible bathroom on the first floor.

Considering that the ADA Network has documented that virtually 40 percent of people 65 and older have a disability that impacts their daily lives, basic/comfortable/welcoming access can be marketed as a desirable amenity.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Keep an open mind that accessibility is an asset, not something the constrains a home to only being attractive to a buyer with a disability.

A zero step entrance into a home makes it easier to bring home groceries and carry in all those Amazon deliveries.

A larger bathroom with a walk in/roll in shower can be made beautiful with a teak flip-down seat, elegant decorative grab bars, sleek channel drains and a combination of rain head shower plus a handheld shower wand that bathes the hard to reach places.

 

 

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Is the housing near local and regional parks?

Does public sidewalk/pathway network connect to recreation, or are their gaps.

Gaps = zero safe passage for not only older and disabled people, but their children and grandchildren.

Does the park have an indoor or outdoor pool with hydraulic lift that can accommodate a person with a physical disability safely?

Does a waterfront park offer accessible kayaks and canoes?

Does the gymnasium or recreation center offer wheelchair basketball leagues, wheelchair tennis/pickleball and other adaptive sports?

Is there an active city senior center near your client’s ideal housing?

Does it also serve meals (this is hugely popular and common in greater Miami.)

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

There is nothing wrong with a suburban, exurban or rural home – but realize two things when thinking of an aging or disabled client.

1) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not apply to single family housing, so a landlord is not obliged to pay for a roll-in shower or other modifications.

2) According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, less than one percent of all housing is move-in ready for wheelchair users, and virtually all of that tiny one percent is newly built multifamily housing.

So the hard fact is that newer multifamily housing may be the only option with move-in ready design to accommodate a buyer/renter who uses a wheelchair for mobility.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Is the housing near the center of the city or a town center?

This does not mean the only option is a skyscraper or gritty townhouse.

It simply means keeping an open mind for a condo as a sale option or an apartment as a leasing option – to serve a client who can benefit from having a full range of services within walking/rolling distance.

For half a century, most growth in America was based on separating uses far from each other.

For the past several decades, the trend has been toward mixed-use communities, where jobs, schools, parks, medical offices and shops are clustered in a vibrant community.

Many of Florida’s suburban, new growth cities are actively soliciting major redevelopment that creates a mini-downtown – with pedestrian activity, density and a mixed of uses – where there was none.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Is public transportation nearby and is it efficient.

This doesn’t mean the single or multifamily housing has to be next to a New York City-like subway system or Chicago elevated train network.

Only a few cities such as Miami and Tampa have fixed rail transit.

So in most Florida communities, the question is are there buses, shuttle buses or other public transportation that runs on a regular route and has stops frequent enough to serve a senior or person with a disability that uses it to get to work, healthcare, shopping, recreation and other daily needs.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Are there dedicated bike lanes?

Are delivery trucks and other vehicles ticketed and towed when they illegally block bike lanes?

Many senior citizens can bike to shops and services.

It provides healthy exercise and an alternate means of mobility if driving is no longer an option because of deteriorating physical, visual or cognitive ability.

There are three-wheeled and handcycle bikes that can accommodate people with many physical disabilities.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Simple tools to better serve the growing market for Aging in Place and People with Disabilities:

Does the community have wide sidewalks on both sides of the street?

Are they well-maintained (tree root buckling repaired, landscaping trimmed back) and unobstructed (no speed limit signs in the center of the sidewalk, no dockless scooters allowed to be discarded and blocking safe passage)?

Are crosswalks safe (center median safe harbor to pause halfway when there are four or more lanes)?

Are curbramps consistent or missing?

Without them, a wheelchair user is forced into dangerous traffic.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Millions of Florida residential real estate clients are aging and are likely to experience some loss of mobility.

Many just plain enjoy a barrier-free home in a community that doesn’t demand that they drive a car – past the age they can do so safely – to meet their daily needs.

Others are downsizing and want to live close to arts, culture, urban vibrancy and healthcare options.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Relevant stats regarding the market for Universal Design in single family homes:

The CDC reports that one in four adults in the United States has a disability that impacts major life activities.

The World Economic Forum has calculated the spending power of the disability community, along with friends and family, is $13 trillion.

The U.S. census tracks that by 2034, for the first time ever, there will be more Americans age 65-plus than under 18. 

The U.S. Department of Labor has calculated the large and growing market of people with disabilities has $175 billion in spending power.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Ryan Gebauer, leader of the Ryan Realty Group Brokerage in Coral Springs, noted that most major medical facilities and hospitals are in more dense, central areas – not in rural or exurban settings – so if person is maintaining a health issue, they may want to secure housing closer to an urban core or town center.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

“If you have a wheelchair accessible van, you might want to live near a company that does repairs. You don’t have the option to just hop into an Uber sedan, so proximity to a competent repair place for your van and wheelchair can be a location factor,” said Ryan Gebauer, leader of the Ryan Realty Group Brokerage in Coral Springs.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

As a REALTOR with nearly two decades of experience, Ryan Gebauer, leader of the Ryan Realty Group Brokerage in Coral Springs, sees a growing trend of people who are aging who might not consider themselves disabled, but who benefit greatly from barrier-free living within the four walls of their dwelling and within their community.

“Many people have been relocating to Florida since COVID and for the warmth. Proximity can be key. 

If you are coming from far away, you want your REALTOR to consider price point and home accessibility for sure – but you also need to know if you are near a facility with wheelchair basketball, beach accessibility, accessible sailing, a meeting place of support groups,”

said Gabauer, who estimates upwards of one third of the clients he represents for purchasing or leasing have a physical disability.

WHAT HOMEBUYERS WITH DISABILITIES NEED BEYOND THE FRONT DOOR

AS THE POPULATION AGES, BARRIER-FREE LIVING AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITIES ARE BECOMING KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE IN REAL ESTATE

Location has always been as important as price point and amenities within the four walls of a dwelling.

With America rapidly aging, figuring out if a neighborhood is suited for Aging in Place and functions well for people with a disability – could become one of the biggest value added assets in representing buyers and sellers.

Ryan Gebauer, leader of the Ryan Realty Group Brokerage in Coral Springs, understands accessibility from many perspectives.

As an individual, he has used a wheelchair for mobility and required accessible housing since he became a quadriplegic at 16.

LITTLE HAVANA ME IMPORTA

COMMUNITY WORKSHOP 

Thank you to the 100+ community members who shared the vision for Little Havana's future at the workshop PlusUrbia Design hosted with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Dade Heritage Trust, and Live Healthy Little Havana.

We were gratified to get the input of Little Havana residents -- including senior citizens, families and young people -- as well as business owners, activists and city officials. Our design team is working on the input, mapping big ideas shared at the workshop to a map of the study area.

Thanks again to all the volunteers and stakeholders who filled the library at historic Miami Senior High School Saturday March 11.

http://plusurbia.com/workshop-littlehavanameimporta/