Finding a house that doesn’t fight you at every turn feels impossible until it isn’t. The listings can be a minefield: split-levels masquerading as accessible, “step-free” entrances that hide curbs, narrow hallways no chair could clear. You know better than to trust photos. Still, there’s hope, and it doesn’t have to be soul-sucking. The trick is to approach it like a tightrope walk across moving ground. Be strategic, stubborn, and suspicious in all the right ways.

Prioritize the Right Layout

Start inside. Open floor plans matter more than you think, not because they’re trendy but because they give you options. Furniture can be rearranged, sure, but walls can’t be willed away. Go for a layout that already understands you, or at least one that doesn’t actively resent your mobility needs. A single-story house with wide doorways and a sensible flow isn’t a unicorn, it just takes more time to spot. Look for wheelchair-friendly home design that doesn’t compromise practicality for aesthetics.

Think Beyond Ramps

A ramp doesn’t make a home accessible, it just makes it not impossible. Focus instead on homes built or renovated with universal design principles—things like zero-threshold showers, lever door handles, lower light switches, and consistent, smooth flooring. These are not luxury upgrades, they’re lifelines. Every unnecessary bump or awkward turn becomes a reason to avoid a room, or worse, a daily injury. If the home assumes a non-disabled body, it’s not for you. And pretending you’ll renovate “someday” is just a fast track to resentment.

Invest in a Home Warranty

You finally find a house, and then the water heater dies in winter or the fridge breathes its last. You’re not just covering the basics anymore, you’re covering appliances that might be installed at just the right height, systems that took ages to find. This is where a warranty becomes more than a backup plan. Good home systems and appliance coverage should include removal of defective equipment and breakdowns caused by shoddy previous work. A busted HVAC might be just an inconvenience for someone else, but for you, it could mean evacuation.

Don’t Overlook the Neighborhood

The house may work for you, but if you’re stranded in it, what’s the point? Location isn’t just about schools or commute time; instead, it’s about accessible public transportation options and whether the sidewalks will snatch your wheels. Visit at least twice, once in daylight and again after dark. Count curb cuts, check for crosswalk signals with audio cues, and time the walk to the nearest bus stop. Look around and ask: do other people like you live here, move through here, feel at ease here? If not, keep moving.

Ask the Right Questions

Sellers might not know what makes a place livable, and agents will pretend everything’s “easily fixable.” It’s your job to dig deeper. Bring a tape measure and your cynicism. Check turning radius in the bathroom, height of counters, threshold height at every single exterior door. Use a home accessibility checklist so you don’t forget the less obvious things—like whether the mailbox is reachable or if the path to the trash bins is paved. If someone gets defensive about your questions, that’s a no.

Consider Future Needs

Don’t buy a home that only works for who you are right now. You want one that’ll still hold you in five or ten years, especially if your needs are shifting. Think about where grab bars could go, where a ceiling lift might fit, how flooring might be swapped out for something safer. The best homes are the ones that adapt alongside you. Be proactive—plan for aging-in-place modifications even if aging isn’t what you’re worried about just yet. It’s a long game. Play it smart.

Work with the Right Professionals

There’s no badge for “doesn’t suck at this,” so you’ll need more than instinct to pick your people. Look for architects, designers, and contractors with experience in accessibility, ideally certified aging-in-place specialists. Ask for photos, not promises. Check if they’ve lived with a disability or built for someone who does. And trust your gut. If they talk over you or treat accessibility like an afterthought, fire them before they lay a single tile. You can’t afford to teach someone how to care.

The right home isn’t perfect. It’s just the one that doesn’t require you to shrink to fit it. You deserve a space that makes things easier, not harder, one that recognizes the way your body moves through the world and doesn’t punish you for it. You’ll make compromises, of course, but not the kind that steal your independence. So take your time. Be picky. And don’t let anyone tell you that your needs are just preferences.

Discover the warmth and exceptional care at Quality Care of Howell, where our family treats your loved ones like their own. Schedule a tour to see how we can help.

Article Written By: Marshall Butler