Property Investment Articles

Accessible Property Investment – An Accessible Opportunity?

By Richard Thompson,

Sharkwatch member, property investor and disability access and tourism consultant

In this feature, you will discover why 1 in 6 people will never want to buy or be able to rent your property.  If you are happy with this fact, don't bother reading any further.  If however, you appreciate every commercial advantage you can get in this investment game, then read on.

Property investment offers opportunities for financial gain to outstrip many other wealth generating schemes and strategies.  But, of course, it has its risks.  Bewarethesharks.com exists to help us minimise and mitigate those risks, through education, insight and plain and simple know-how.  This acquired knowledge impacts on our buying psychology creating unique and private comfort zones, which enable first timers to ‘take the plunge' and experienced investors to go that extra mile.  This is investment coaching at its best.  But to date there is an area which Bewarethesharks.com or any other investment body simply have not ventured.  Curious?  Keep going.

This feature aims to introduce the Bewarethesharks.com community to what is almost certainly the last significant untapped market in this or any other commercial sector.  But it also touches on one of society's last taboos – disability.  And this may be where some of you bail out.  But stick with me here.  It will be worth the effort.  Promise. 

So if this is such a great opportunity, then why isn't everyone into it already?  It is simple – a general lack of awareness means that most people simply do not understand ‘the issues'.  Stifled by fear, myth and misunderstanding about disability, few have realised that creating an accessible environment makes good sense. – practically, ethically and commercially.  So the fact that you are reading this means you are already ahead of the game.  A significant marketing edge in an arena where any small advantage can mean the difference between securing high rental occupancy or a speedy sale, at a price you want, is within your grasp.  Not bad for the time spent investing reading this article.

And let me make it a little easier.  If you are uncomfortable with the concept of disability, think accessibility, for this is what it is really all about.  If we create accessible properties, we are at once removing the barriers which disable those who would live or holiday there. 

And if you are thinking this is a niche market and not really worth bothering about, consider these facts – 50 million people in Europe are disabled – 10 million in the UK alone with annual spending power of £85 billion!  So lets do the sums.  If you buy accessible property you have just increased your potential customer base by more than 15%.  And we should understand that disabled do not live or holiday in isolation, so the actual numbers are even greater.  Moreover, given that thousands of properties are available across Europe at any one time, and that those offering genuine accessibility could be counted in their tens, I am sure you will agree, that is some competitive edge.

So what do we mean by accessible?  Well first it does not mean creating something akin to a clinical environment or a hospital.  A well designed property will look like any other, but with a few critical advantages.

What we are talking about are a few simple adjustments which will make life so much easier for everyone – parents with children in buggies, people with suitcases, and those with reduced mobility .  And here is your quick checklist for creating good access…

• Ramped, lift or level access from parking or drop off point
• Ramped or level access to and through your front door
• Doors 80cm minimum width
• Hand rails where steps are unavoidable
• Non slip tiles in bathrooms
• If a second bathroom exists, make it a Wet Room (with level entry shower)
• 80cm space alongside bed and WC for transfers from wheelchair users

If your property can satisfy these criteria, you have just opened yourself up to a whole new market.  Of course some buyers will have very specific needs but if basic access exists, then any property could be tailored to suit. 

It goes without saying that access is best designed into a property rather than as an add-on.  Happily a few developers (with our help) have realised this and are now embracing accessibility as a key element in their marketing and promotion.  They know that they must stand out from the crowd.  You, in your quest for sound property investment must do the same.

Watch out for details of accessible property investments coming soon.  For more information about the whole issue of access and the ‘disability market', simply contact Bewarethesharks.com

Richard Thompson

Disability access and tourism consultant.