What to Look For:
Part One

With the foreclosure market heating up in Florida and around the nation as a whole first instinct is to jump into the market with wallet or purse in hand assuming everything will retain its value at this low price and at worst you will come out even. While true in some senses it is important not to forget, in all the buying commotion, what truly makes a piece of property attractive to yourself, but also importantly, others in the future. When looking at vacation property or playing the market lulls a few simple ideas can make or break big gains on turn-around housing values.

In this edition we will take a closer look at the sadly oft-overlooked idea of universal design. And, no, this doesn’t only include elevators, rail-chairs, and huge infrastructure modifications. Sure, those aforementioned ideas are a common representation of a universal designed house, but the subtle structural and design touches can make or break the usability and access of a house, and with that, a prospective future sale. The overwhelming majority of home buyers express some interest in growing old in their new home, even if they will need assistance. So, whether you plan to yourself grow old in your new investment or to sell, keeping things friendly for elderly and handicapped is always a plus. So what do we need to look for in a house to make it universally accessible?

Take a close look at the doorways. Wider doorways don’t just create that much desired open feeling in a house, they also are simply more accessible to everyone including those with disabilities.

Look at the entrances. Does at least one of the entrances have a slopped or step-less walkway? Sloped and step-less entrances are functional for all people and are preferred by most for a variety of reasons. Of course, also, these entrances are handicapped and universally accessible.

Make sure your restrooms are spacious. The benefits of a spacious restroom I’m sure needn’t be listed, but often times housing changes and old houses leave potential buyers with small converted closet bathrooms.

Perhaps of less importance on older, in need of remodeling, kitchens is the idea of staggered height countertops. Staggered height counters are advantageous to everyone and ergonomic in a variety of uses.

Keep in mind, keeping your place ergonomically friendly and universally designed is not just for a minority of people. People come in all shapes and sizes and needs are different for all sorts of different people. A universally designed house needn’t be full of bulky mechanical devices and electric powered everything, it merely must be accommodating to all people young and old in all of our variety of shapes and sizes.