A New Chapter Begins!
Back in 2021, I embarked on a new journey to achieve another goal in life, owning an accessible property. This led to me creating this blog and documenting the properties I viewed in what was my property update series.
Following my update last year during Property Hunt ’22, I finally made an offer on a property, which was accepted. Since then, I’ve been busy navigating the process, answering countless questions, and working toward making the exchange possible.
This post has been a long time in the making, and just last week, I received the call I had been eagerly awaiting, the transaction was completed, and I could collect the keys to my very own property. This moment marked a key milestone after a long and sometimes stressful journey but, in reality, it was just the beginning of an even bigger challenge!
Recap: The Journey So Far
To recap, this property is a spacious bungalow with great potential to be made fully accessible. Inside, there are two medium-sized bedrooms, a reasonably sized bathroom, and a huge reception area, along with your standard kitchen and living room.
The property also features a driveway for parking, as well as numerous ponds and garden features surrounding the house. Additionally, the previous owners left behind a greenhouse and other gardening equipment, giving me the opportunity to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs (with some help, of course!).
While the property shows its age and requires some modernisation, I loved its character, and the price was a bargain given its location. Just around the corner are bus links to key transport hubs, a supermarket down the road, a variety of restaurants, and even a cinema within a 10-minute walk (or roll, in my case). The convenience of having these amenities so close by made the decision to purchase this property much easier.
More Obstacles Ahead!
Given that just two weeks ago, I had to rely on others to view the property, finally getting to see it for myself filled me with overwhelming joy, as if all the challenges I’d faced in finding an accessible home had led me to this very place. The moment was a powerful reminder that even when the journey seems complicated and full of obstacles, not giving up can make everything worth it in the end.
Restoring and Exploring
So far, work has begun on restoring the garden and exploring ways to make the most of the available space. There are also many unique features and quirky aspects of the property and bizarre things we’ve come across, which I’ll aim to share with you at a later date.
Support and Progress
My family has been immensely supportive, helping me start the work, which has been pivotal in getting me closer to move-in day. However, I’m still several months away from moving in due to the many requirements that need to be addressed before I can think about settling in.
The Journey Ahead: What’s Next?
Owning a property is a significant financial and time commitment, and the hard work and expenses are only just beginning. From necessary renovations to accessibility adaptations, there are many costs involved in making this house a home that suits my needs.
I’ll be navigating the system and seeking grants to help transform this property into the perfect accessible home. My work on this blog is far from over, as there’s still much to do in raising awareness about the lack of accessible properties.
As I continue this journey, I’ll also be sharing all the technology, tips, and tricks I’ve discovered along the way as a disabled person renovating my first home. Please continue to show your support by checking back regularly for future content and updates.
Help the Blog and Renovations!
The hard work is now underway to turn my new home into the perfect accessible paradise. Please consider donating via Buy Me a Coffee to support the content being created on this blog. Your support will enable me to continue advocating for more accessible properties and to share my story. If donating isn’t feasible for you, simply sharing this post with friends, family, and colleagues would be just as valuable in supporting my efforts!
All donations will also go toward speeding up the adaptations being made to my property and covering the associated costs of this ongoing project. This will ensure that I can live in my new property comfortably and independently.
Get Involved with BuildMyAccessibleHome!
I’d also love to hear from you and explore ways we can collaborate to make the property market more accessible and inclusive. Please reach out to me at info@buildmyaccessiblehome.co.uk, as I’d be thrilled to connect and discuss how we can work together to improve accessibility in housing!
Now what to do with all these keys…