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How People With Disabilities Can Make Their Move a Success
This is another guest blog post written by Jenny Wise of Special Home Educator.
For people with disabilities, moving to a new home can be challenging. Luckily, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. By using the right approach, you can make it happen. Uniqueli Made has some tips to help people make their move a success.
Choosing the Right Home
Before you worry about the move itself, you need to find the right home. Not all houses feature accessible designs, and some may involve more upkeep than a person with a physical or mental disability would like to take on.
When you begin your home search, you’ll want to make accessibility features your top priority. Identify your critical requirements as a starting point. What that entails may depend on your condition. For example, individuals in wheelchairs might require wide hallways and lower countertops, while someone with lifting restrictions or limited back mobility may need wall ovens and a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer.
Once you understand your requirements, determine what you need right away and what you’re willing to add after the purchase. That way, when it’s time to start looking, you know where to focus your energy.
It’s also wise to explore home-buying programs for people with disabilities. For instance, veterans with service-connected disabilities may be eligible for grants to make their homes accessible, while people with spinal cord injuries may be eligible for a grant through the Travis Roy Foundation. Those programs may let you broaden your home search since they’ll give you funds to pay for modifications.
Completing the Home Purchase
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, there are several steps you may want to take to make sure you’re prepared. Check your credit score and report to make sure you’ll qualify for a loan. Organize your financial documents so that it’s ready for the lender when that time arrives. Analyze your budget to determine how much home you can afford, and find a reputable realtor to assist with your property search.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to check out your loan options. There are several kinds of mortgages that may be available to you, including:
● Conventional
● FHA
● USDA
● VA
Research the eligibility requirements, fees, interest rates, and loan features. You may also want to research various down payment assistance programs as well. That way, you can choose a mortgage that best meets your needs.
Tackling the Move
When it comes time to plan your move, the earlier you start, the better. Along with reserving trucks or
scheduling movers, you want to begin the packing process as quickly as you can.
Packing can take a lot of time and energy, so it’s wise to start well before you move. Begin by packing items you won’t need for the next few months. Along the way, group like-items together and label the boxes clearly.
Then, as moving day draws closer, start packing up items you use more frequently. Again, keep like-items together and, along with labeling the boxes, mark them with a special note or color that lets you know to unpack these first.
If you’re worried that packing and unpacking will be too much to handle, then you may want to go with a full-service mover instead. While they do cost more — typically starting at $2,300 and reaching as high as $12,000 — the company will take care of the entire process. Simply search online for ‘movers near me to find a list of movers that can help you. Packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and unpacking can all be part of the arrangement, ensuring you have all of the help you need to complete your move.
Moving can be challenging for anyone, especially if you also have a disability.
Fortunately, it can be done with some careful planning and assistance. For more resources for Millennials living with disabilities, visit Uniqueli Made today!