Owning a home that has been modified or adapted is a huge unique selling point for a person seeking to move home that requires a barrier free home. The price of the adaptions and the fact that the work has already been done makes an accessible home very desirable. The trouble is that although homeowners recognise this the UK estate agency sector are way behind and can even view an adapted home as a massive pain!.

How do I know this?

Since 2000 I have been running a number of property websites including overseas property sites a and european real estate websites. One consistent message that came from owners was that estate agents found accessible property a problem. This was particularly prevalent with a "For Sale By Owner" website which was called The Little House Company. The website started to grow an accessible property database from owners who had been told to either rip out the adaptations or hide them in any marketing.

The House Shop Wants To Put Accessible Homeowners Together

Part of the problem with effectively marketing accessible or disabled-access properties is that there is no commonly agreed definition of what makes a home accessible. Disabled peoples’ needs are so diverse, and the range of accessible improvements available so broad, that many advertising platforms simply do not distinguish accessible homes from regular listings. This means that disabled house-hunters are missing out on hundreds of suitable homes, with carefully thought out accessible improvements that will have cost thousands of pounds to install.

Around 10% of the population describe themselves as disabled and an ageing and less mobile population will only add to the pressure for greater supply, identification, and marketing of accessible and adapted property. Unfortunately, many estate agents are failing to recognise this.”

Estate agents blanket approach to marketing means that they typically lack the specialist or niche marketing capability to properly advertise accessible homes.

Disabled homeowners are increasingly turning to direct sales or peer-to-peer selling to market their homes after failing to find suitable buyers through estate agents. 

The House Shop help agents and homeowners effectively market their adapted and accessible homes, free of charge. You can search hundreds of homes that feature accessible features listed for sale and to rent at The House Shop

You can also learn more about accessible homes at the Accessible Property Register