Hi All,

If you have worked with the deaf community or are fluent in ASL I'd love to network with you. My specialty is helping people with disabilities (all disabilities) find the right home or sell their existing one. Admittedly this is a unique niche in real estate. But my website is working and I have people contact me from outher parts of the country. It also is not as narrow as you might think because it also can include Boomers because they are often looking for a place where they can "age in place".

If you have had some experience working with folks with disabilites,  I'd like to talk with you about future referrals and just to share info, tips, ect.

Happily servicing the disability community in my area,

Karen

I am excited to have an accessible log home for sale in Timberlake NC ( which is about 15 minutes north of Durham, NC).   Some of the accessible features are extra wide hallways for easy manuverability, zero step entry from the garage,  a rollin shower and accessible sink in the master bathroom, extra wide doors, zero steps to 1400 sq ft of deck where you can watch the wild life, extra high doors in garage to accomodate a conversion van, and more.

This beautiful open plan Log Home sits  on 10.1 acres with the possibility of up to 70 acres. Easy living with 4501 sq ft of living space on one floor, no steps. Chef's dream kitchen boasting a 60" Professional Viking Gas Range 6 burner plus griddle, granite counter tops and lots of counter space. 2 stone fireplaces, all 3 baths have granite counters, watch the wildlife from your 1440 sq ft of wrap around deck & 8 person hot tub. Master bath w/curbless shower, Jacuzzi plus his & hers closets.

 $465,900

· 4 Bedrooms

· 3 bathrooms

· 2 car Oversized garage (allowing clearnance for a conversion van)

· Separate dining room, den or study

· 2 stone fireplaces

· Viking  professional gas range

1400+ sq ft of deck where you can enjoy the wild life.

I just found a great resource for Realtors around the walkability of a home. For people who may have mobility challenges this is a GREAT resource. It allows them to see a score or the walkability and accessibility of a neighborhood. For the elderly who may not want to drive or can't this is a GREAT resource. For Realtors it is great because it shows how  close the home is to key places in the community such as parks, the library,schools, grocery stores, ect.  It is also a great tool for those who are more "green" minded. Be more healthy and just walk to the store or park.

Check it out!

http://www.walkscore.com/

Taken from the walk score website:

Walkable Neighborhoods

Picture a walkable neighborhood. You lose weight each time you walk to the grocery store. You stumble home from last call without waiting for a cab. You spend less money on your car—or you don't own a car. When you shop, you support your local economy. You talk to your neighbors.

What makes a neighborhood walkable?

• A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it's a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.
• Density: The neighborhood is compact enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to run frequently.
• Mixed income, mixed use: Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.
• Parks and public space: There are plenty of public places to gather and play.
• Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings are placed close to the street to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the back.
• Nearby schools and workplaces: Schools and workplaces are close enough that most residents can walk from their homes.

Streets Designed for Everyone

Complete Streets are roads are designed for everyone who uses them, including bicyclists, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and people getting on and off transit vehicles. These streets are:

• Accessible: There are wheelchair ramps, plenty of benches with shade, sidewalks on all streets, etc.
• Well-connected: Streets form a connected grid that improves traffic by providing many routes to any destination.
• Built for the right speed: Lanes are narrow or traffic calming is in place to control speed.
• Comfortable: Pedestrian medians at intersections, count-down crosswalk timers, bicycle lanes, protected bus shelters, etc. make the street work better for those outside of a car.

This week I spoke with a group of about 20 deaf seniors about the services I offer and about reverse mortgages. I had been asked to speak by a deaf friend (Joel) who was a past president of the group.  Joel knows  I am a signing Realtor with a mission to serve the deaf community. I was thrilled with the opportunity to speak with the group but felt I could not speak specifically about reverse mortgages. Yes I know what Reverse Mortgages are & how they can help the senior population but I could not speak about them with detail & expertise. So I asked Gena Wright who is a Reverse Mortgage specialist with Bank of America to join me.

We split the cost of an interpreter, which was $78 for a minimum of 2 hours of time. I am fluent in ASL ( American Sign Language) because I grew up with a deaf sister and worked in the Deaf community in Boston years ago. So I signed my introduction and told them about myself and my mission to serve the deaf community as a Realtor, but we hired an interpreter to translate Gena's part of the presentation. Being fluent in an language is different from providing professional interpreting /translating serves. Professionally it was just the right thing to do. Knowing what your specialization is and reaching out to those who share other expertise can be a win win for all.

The group seemed very appreciative of the information provided. Great questions were asked.

Realtors should utilize deaf interpreters so that your services can be accessed by the deaf and hard of hearing community. By law it is a deaf individuals right to request an interpreter and to have the service paid for by the the professional. To learn more about the law go to the Americans with Disabilites Act website  http://www.ada.gov/. Or call 1 800 541-0301.

I would like to build a network with other realtors that specialize in Universal design and accessible homes. I have many customers contact me via my website who are looking for a realtor like myself with a disability awareness and expertise. I know there are few of us out there with this specialty niche but it would be great to not have to search  to find  the right realtor and to have a list to pick from.