In Your Property Schedules
Incorporating Accessible Features into your website or property press doesn't replace the need to provide good access information in property schedules. In fact, the selling or letting schedule gives your customer a chance to gather information they can't find through searching for an Accessible Features. For example, the fact that there are a couple of steps to the front door and four to the back of a property would not be identified when highlighting the '3 steps or less' Accessible Feature. Noting this is the schedule gives your customer the information - and saves them having to ring you for the information.
Disabled adaptations - adding or removing value?
Many property professionals are wary of mentioning adaptations such as ramps or handrails when describing a house. Some suggest their clients remove them for fear of reducing the price a customer will pay.
'Safety doesn't sell' was the motto of car makers up until recently. They feared that mentioning safety would make customers think of accidents and put them off buying their cars. Now they've realised the public want safety features they go to great lengths to advertise them.
Our population is growing older and less agile. It'll need homes that are easier to access. Will customers really pay less?
Many property professionals are wary of mentioning adaptations such as ramps or handrails when describing a house. Some suggest their clients remove them for fear of reducing the price a customer will pay.
'Safety doesn't sell' was the motto of car makers up until recently. They feared that mentioning safety would make customers think of accidents and put them off buying their cars. Now they've realised the public want safety features they go to great lengths to advertise them.
Our population is growing older and less agile. It'll need homes that are easier to access. Will customers really pay less?
For example, a property highlighted as having 3 steps or less may only have one
shallow step at the front door. Writing this in the schedule, or ensuring it
is obvious through a photograph, could make the difference between your customer
viewing the property or not.
Similarly, wide doors are only of use to a wheelchair user if the hallway is also wide. Incorporating hallway width as an Accessible Feature proved impossible but its size and shape can be described in a schedule.
The property's total floor area and layout are rarely included in the UK but are very useful. The floor area gives an idea of the space standards of a property - the single most important indicator of a more accessible property. Even a basic floor plan can suggest whether rooms could be combined or have their use switched in order to make the property more suitable.
Similarly, wide doors are only of use to a wheelchair user if the hallway is also wide. Incorporating hallway width as an Accessible Feature proved impossible but its size and shape can be described in a schedule.
The property's total floor area and layout are rarely included in the UK but are very useful. The floor area gives an idea of the space standards of a property - the single most important indicator of a more accessible property. Even a basic floor plan can suggest whether rooms could be combined or have their use switched in order to make the property more suitable.
Accessible features
Accessible features are valued by all of your customers - and are not just for disabled people
Accessible features are valued by all of your customers - and are not just for disabled people
