Real Estate Central

WASHINGTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For many house hunters,
finding a home that has everything they want and fits their budget can be a
challenging task. People with physical or mental disabilities must also
overlay those interests with their needs for accessible housing features,
and that can sometimes be the most difficult part of the home buying
process.

That’s according to David Layne, co-founder of HOMES Coalition, which
raises public awareness of the desperate need for accessible housing for
persons with disabilities. Layne spoke to Realtors(R) during the Equal
Opportunity and Cultural Diversity Forum at the National Association of
Realtors(R) Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo here through
Saturday.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 50 million Americans, or
one in five individuals, have some level of disability; however, only 7
percent of adults with disabilities currently own their own home.

“Realtors(R) build communities and can be invaluable resources for
people living with disabilities who want to find a home that best suits
their needs and desires,” said NAR President Dick Gaylord, a broker with
RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists in Long Beach, Calif. “People with
disabilities face many challenges when trying to locate and purchase a home
- it may take longer and require more research - but Realtors(R) are
committed to helping their clients succeed, whatever their real estate
goals are.”

Accessible homes include features such as wide doors and straight
hallways, enclosed stairwells, limited steps and stairs, and consistent
flooring without rough or uneven textures. Layne noted that marketing
accessible homes to people with disabilities is not only the right thing to
do, but also offers Realtors(R) an opportunity to become more involved in
their community as well as grow and expand their business.

According to Layne, Realtors(R) who want to market to families or
individuals with special housing needs should first assemble a local
resource guide. The guide should include information on local disability
housing providers as well as information on private organizations and
government agencies that offer lending, down payment or closing-cost
assistance, and even grants for help modify a home after purchase.

“Becoming a specialist at helping people with disabilities achieve
their homeownership goals often means, first, acting as a resource for
locating financing and other assistance, and second helping them find a
property that meets their needs. Frequently your relationship also extends
beyond the sale by finding qualified contractors to refer clients to when
they need home modifications,” said Layne.

To help serve this population, Realtors(R) should expand their Web site
content to include information on accessible parks, medical facilities and
public transportation; develop partnerships with special needs
organizations and support groups; update marketing and other materials with
their capabilities in assisting home buyers and sellers in finding
accessible housing; and hold home buying seminars at community
organizations or conferences for people living with disabilities.

The National Association of Realtors(R), “The Voice for Real Estate,”
is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members
involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate
industries.

Information about NAR is available at http://www.realtor.org. News releases
are posted in the Web site’s “News Media” section in the NAR Media Center.

REALTOR(R) is a registered collective membership mark which may be used
only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS(R) and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not
all real estate agents are REALTORS(R). All REALTORS(R) are members of NAR.



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Source: Real Estate Newswire