Traditionally, BHB is a blog where authors plant seeds of information in the minds of readers from all over the nation (and globe if you will). Today, rather than give advice, criticize something or tell you my thoughts about the RE industry, I pose a question based on a bizarre dream I had last night (and my own ignorance):
Have you ever worked with a blind, deaf or special needs client? What considerations were made? How does a blind person know the home is not in disrepair? If someone is disabled, how does that change your search to narrow down homes to purchase? Are closing documents available in braille? How long does a closing take in sign language?
Most of you know I’m not a Realtor (rather a Realtor sidekick), but I do spend most hours of my life focused on my husband’s clients and business. I think most people are scared to ask stupid questions… but not me!
So, tell me (and the readers) about your biggest challenge when representing buyers or sellers with special needs- knowing laws and how to handle special situations can prepare new agents and new readers for potential clients! Knowing how to catch a curveball (baseball allusion for Jeff) in advance of the pitch makes any batter more confident when it’s time to step up to plate!
Derek Burress says:
This is going to be an interesting topic to read.
I am hearing impaired… I have a little less than 20% of my total hearing left.
June 23, 2007 — 1:33 pm
Lani Anglin says:
Maybe you could start us off… what complications/simplifications have you experienced as a Realtor? Duh, I hadn’t even thought of that angle!
June 23, 2007 — 7:11 pm
DSB says:
I have not been able to find a job as a real estate agent due to my hearing so I am back in school to be a history teacher. Got kicked out of nursing school because of my hearing, can’t get a job as a real estate agent (which is often why I am not afraid to say call real estate a bunch of simple BS) , etc. I personally think I would be darn good at this stuff but…. who knows?
I am doing the teaching thing now. I am a good speaker, and I have been involved with coaching for years so I think I have some pull in this arena.
To make a long story short, one of the reasons I started blogging about real estate was to piss people off. No one would hire me, so I decided basically to just start blogging and steal all their traffic. It worked – sooner than I thought but now I just blog real estate for the fun of it I guess and also why I blog about other stuff as well since of course, I don’t care to keep my blog strictly real estate anymore as I have no RE business to maintain.
June 23, 2007 — 7:57 pm
Lani Anglin says:
Derek, perhaps it’s time to practice to be a broker… surely deaf or people who are hard of hearing buy and sell houses too? I would think that if I had hearing issues that I would want a professional who can relate.
The same way techies love Web2.0dork Realtors (guilty), my grandmother sticks to her gray-haired girlfriend Realtor (despite my husband’s brokerage- grr), and Spanish speaking Realtors have incredible business in Texas with the Spanish speaking clients.
Sounds like you should have your own dang brokerage! Find a sponsor for the time (even if PT) until you can be a broker (2 years in TX)? 🙂 Then you can “piss people off” for new reasons!
June 23, 2007 — 8:13 pm
Brian Brady says:
Derek,
I had no idea you didn’t practice real estate. The fact that you couldn’t find an employing broker is astounding to me. In my 4-6 month interaction with you, I thought you were the expert on real estate in the Carolinas.
This topic may be more interesting than I originally thought. Good thinking, Lani!
June 23, 2007 — 9:47 pm
Julia says:
Hi, I’m the photographer that took the image of the hands reading braille – then I looked at the post and realized the topic interested me. I work at the Disabilities Rights Center in New Hampshire and would like to add a few comments here.
First, many people with disabilities are going to want accessible housing: entrances you can get in with a wheelchair, wide doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, etc. There is not enough accessible housing. You could be on the lookout for real estate that is accessible and market it to people with disabilities. In NH we have a builder specializing in Easy Living homes, you can read more about this in our newsletter, http://www.drcnh.org/RapSpring07.pdf. The article is on page 18, but the whole issue of this newsletter has to do with housing and disability.
Second, if you are not sure how to accommodate a buyer or seller who has a disability, ask them! They know what accommodations they need. You could say, “Is there anything I can do to make this process more accessible for you?” or something similar.
Third, you do need to make accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This might mean, for a Deaf person, hiring an interpreter for the closing. It might mean conducting business in a way you don’t ordinarily – e.g. using email instead of phone calls, or if your office isn’t accessible, having your meeting at a place that is.
There may well be a niche market for you to pursue in your state. You could contact your state’s Independent Living Center or other organizations that assist people with disabilities to get more information and make contacts.
Julia
June 24, 2007 — 5:55 am
B.R. says:
Julia, fantastic observations, and thanks for the tips- niche asside, I think as a firm we will do that on Monday.
I’ve been in this boat on many occasions with clients with limited disabilities but have only once been faced with a client with serious challenges. She was a quirky South Austin girl that wanted Shabby Chic. After spending time with her, I realized what I was seeing calling shabby chic was simply her highest expectation. She never dreamed of anything better. The first apartment I showed her (based on her request) was in disrepair (this seemed to be the norm in older property). She called it lovely and cute, I called it a dump (because it was). I asked her to entertain me in letting me show her something a little newer- and even more ADA compliant (and prettier), and she agreed. When we entered, she called it home and grinned ear to ear. I asked the manager of the apartment how long it had been vacant- it had never been occupied, so I negotiated her a longterm rent at a deeply discounted rate. She still lives there to this date in her brand new completely ADA compliant apartment (she could completely swing that chair around in the middle of the hallway). When we spoke on her move-in day she told me how thankful she was that I didn’t take her settling out of frustration seriously, that her standard of living was just as important to me as it was to her, if not more- she appreciated that I slowed down, listened, and actually found more than what she had ever dreamed was possible.
She was impressed with me? I am more impressed with her. She is amazing. My general thoughts on the subject is that if you are looking for a quick sale or lease, this is not that opportunity. My one time success actually hung on my willingness not to be in a hurry to move on to the next transaction. Rather, clients with special needs are just that, ones with a need for special care in detail as Julia points out, it was no easy task in finding a thoughtful home- but well worth the effort.
June 24, 2007 — 8:07 am
Lani Anglin says:
Julia- thank you so much for the link(s); how helpful! All Realtors take courses on ADA and Fair Housing (aka treat everyone equally), but the tip you gave that I loved was “ask them!” You’re right- no reason to be shy!
BR- South Austin will probably call you when it’s time to buy or move because of your dedication. The tip you’ve given that I love- “slow down [and] listen.”
Great stories and observations- keep ’em coming!
June 24, 2007 — 8:32 am