People with reduced mobility | The challenge of selling an adapted residence

When Joannie Paquet, a paraplegic woman, put her condo up for sale with adaptations worth tens of thousands of dollars, she feared she would not find a buyer within a reasonable time frame.

M^me Paquet knew the challenge faced. “We had to take the costs of our work into account in the sale price,” she says, regardless of whether a potential buyer would have wanted to renovate and remove the adaptations.

When she was the victim of a road accident during her childhood, it was the SAAQ that paid the bills: lower counters, built-in oven with side opening at her height, switches at the right height, adapted exterior ramp to its needs, adding an automatic door, etc.

Costs rise quickly, which inevitably influences the resale price. According to Dominique Salgado, general director of the Action Committee for People Living with Disabilities (CAPVISH), the adaptation of a property can exceed $55,000. “An exterior ramp can cost $12,000 and a patient lift, $8,000,” he explains. Afterwards, the elevator costs at least $40,000, not to mention bathroom ramps, accessibility work in the kitchen and removal of door thresholds. »

A niche market

Selling such a property can be complex. “It’s a big challenge,” says Mr. Salgado. Often, we find it through word of mouth. Information circulates in the associative environment. »

When the condo or house falls into the hands of brokers, the residential real estate valuation (often called homestaging) can hardly come as reinforcement. “We often suggest depersonalizing a property so that visitors can imagine themselves living there, but these adapted properties are hyper personalized,” says Sophie Bougie, broker at the Domicilia real estate agency. Obviously, we cannot remove the adaptations before the visits. »

The context also pushes real estate agents to further filter potential buyers. “Every time I receive a call for a suitable property, I start by asking the agent about their client’s needs,” says Guylaine Couture, broker at REMAX. If the person is not in a wheelchair, has limited mobility or is not 5 feet 5 inches tall or less, due to the lower counters, the profile may not be suitable. »

That said, many people do not have a disability. “With the adapted property that I represent (at the time of the interview), I mainly receive calls from people without disabilities who have difficulty planning,” indicates Sophie Bougie.

However, she believes that suitable properties could interest investors. “They could attract a certain rental clientele, because there is little suitable accommodation. »

A glaring shortage

Indeed, according to figures collected by CAPVISH in the Quebec region, only 1.2% of housing is adapted, while 88,000 people are disabled in the sector. “The trend is the same elsewhere in the province,” explains Dominique Salgado. And there is also a big shortage of suitable condos and single-family homes. »

When such a property finds itself on the market, the two brokers interviewed do not hesitate to highlight them. “I specify directly in the ad that the condo is suitable for people with reduced mobility,” says Sophie Bougie.

“Recently, I specified the amount of work carried out to make a condo accessible and the most important elements,” says Guylaine Couture. I also pointed out that parking was double, because people in wheelchairs need space to open the doors, without getting stuck between two cars. »

For some brokers, the challenge causes additional stress. M^me Couture sees this as further motivation.

Because, not all people living with a disability want the same thing. When Joannie Paquet looked for a new property, the lack of options wasn’t the only obstacle. “I remember one adapted property which had lift rails in several rooms, even though I don’t need them. As we all have different needs, this complicates the research. »

Special needs mean tailor-made adaptations, while the Quebec government’s Home Adaptation Program (PAD) does not cover all expenses. “The PAD offers up to $50,000 per eligible person, regardless of recent household income,” informs Dominique Salgado. But since an elevator can cost up to $55,000, the grant doesn’t solve everything. »

Mr. Salgado believes that the state would benefit from investing more. Especially with the aging of the population which will accelerate over the coming years and the growing desire of the population to receive care at home. “We are going to need even more suitable properties,” he says. The government wants elderly and disabled people to stay at home as long as possible, but they still need to be given the means. »

He also deplores that the new budget of the Minister of Finance, Eric Girard, provides for a gradual reduction in the amounts planned for the PAD in the coming years. “It’s worrying to grow old in Quebec,” says Mr. Salgado.

Visit the CAPVISH website