Making your home accessible

Homewise

Special to the Express

Ensuring your home is accessible to people with disabilities is a compassionate consideration and can also expand the market appeal and value of your property.

By making targeted renovations, you can create a more inclusive living environment and attract potential buyers seeking accessible homes.

Some are concerned that making home modifications can lower resale value, but that is not always the case, especially if you own a home in an area with a high demographic of older people.

In some places, grants are available to help you renovate your home to make it more accessible, especially if you are a veteran. Check for both state and federal grants as well as those from local nonprofits who will help defray the cost of accessible renovations. You may also qualify for low-cost renovation-specific loans.

Universal design

What many people are starting to lean toward is “universal design,” which increases property values while making a home more accessible. Also called barrier-free design, PBS defined it as focusing on making the house safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of age, physical ability or stature. The goal is to design spaces that are inclusive and that promote independence for everyone.

Targeted renovations

Start by focusing on the entrance and pathways to your home. Install ramps or gradual slopes to eliminate steps and facilitate wheelchair access. Ensure that

GEORGE R. KALIS

Licensed pathways leading to the main entrance are wide enough to accommodate mobility aids and have a smooth, non-slip surface. Consider installing handrails for additional support and make sure pathways are well-lit to aid visibility for those with visual impairments. Replace traditional doorknobs with lever-style handles, which are easier to operate for those with limited dexterity. Remove any potential obstacles or clutter along pathways to create unobstructed passages. Hardwood floors are easier to move on than carpeted surfaces and is a change that is resell-friendly. People with mobility issues benefit from first-floor laundries and bedrooms. Bathroom renovations make a significant difference for people with disabilities. Install grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or bathtub area to provide stability and support. Consider replacing traditional bathtubs with roll-in showers, which allow easy wheelchair access. Install a shower bench or chair for added convenience. Ensure that faucets and controls are accessible and easy to operate.

Making the kitchen more accessible involves adjusting countertop heights to accommodate individuals who use wheelchairs. Install lower countertops with open space beneath to allow comfortable access. Consider incorporating pull-out shelves and drawers for easier reach. Install lever-style handles on cabinets and drawers for easier gripping and operation.

Proper lighting is essential for individuals with visual impairments. Install bright, even lighting throughout the home, including hallways, staircases and entrance areas.

Steps to take before applying for a mortgage

Metro Special to the Express

A home is the single biggest purchase most people will ever make. That’s perhaps become even more true in recent years, when the cost of homes has increased dramatically.

The sticker price of a home may come as a shock to first-time buyers, but few homeowners purchase their homes in cash. Mortgages are a vital component of home ownership for the vast majority of buyers. Mortgages are loans obtained through the conveyance of property as security. When homeowners pay off their mortgages, the title of the property officially transfers to them from their lenders.

Though most homeowners utilize mortgages to buy their homes, that does not mean the process is the same for everyone. A host of factors affect mortgage terms, and there’s much prospective homeowners can do to secure the best agreement possible.

• Recognize why a low interest rate is important. Mortgage interest rates have drawn considerable attention in recent years, as rising inflation has led to rates that have reached their highest point in more than a decade. Even a seemingly small difference in interest rates can save or cost homeowners thousands of dollars, if not tens of thousands, over the course of a loan. For example, the financial experts at Bankrate.com note that the difference between a 5.5 percent interest rate and a 6 percent interest rate on a $200,000 mortgage is roughly $64 per month. That might not seem like a lot, but over the course of a 30-mortgage the borrower who gets the 6 percent loan will pay in excess of $23,000 more in interest than the borrower who secures the 5.5 percent loan. Recognition of the benefits of securing the lowest interest rate possible can motivate prospective buyers to do

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County Road 31 to be repaved?

It is hard to leave Winters and not travel on County Road 31, which might be the worst paved road in California. I can’t seem to remember to take Russell Boulevard. so I get a free Yolo County massage about once a week.

There are now signs warning us about road closers, if you can read the signs while holding on tight to your steering wheel as your eyes bounce up and down. I’m hoping the signs means that the county supervisors are finally going to pave the major road to Winters. I don’t want to see any more potholes filled with temporary patch, but the road ground down and fixed right.

The Sacramento district attorney is threatening to charge, either criminally or civilly, the elected official of Sacramento, both county and city, for not taking care of the homeless problem. If the Yolo County supervisors can’t fix our roads, then maybe we should be asking our district attorney, Jeff Reisig, to lock up and fine our supervisors for dereliction of duty. I have not talked to Mr. Reisig about this issue, but I’m sure he would be willing to at least listen to the proposal, especially if he has driven on County Road 31. I might add that I think our district attorney is one of the best we have had. Supervisor Lucas Frerichs, who represents Winters, is new to his office so I am cutting him some slack. If he wants my vote in four years, he needs to fix our roads and keep the ditches clean. I don’t think that is asking for too much. Sure, if he wants to volunteer at Winters events, and keep his face in the public, that helps, but talk is cheap, fixing roads isn’t.

You might not have noticed, but every July 1 our gas taxes go up with the cost of living. This year the inflation rate was set at 3 percent. It may only be a few pennies, but pennies add up. When the voters agreed to raise our gas tax every year, the government also agreed to use the money to fix our roads. We’ve kept our side of the deal, now it is our elected officials job to keep their word and fix our roads.

I don’t think that is asking too much, do you?

Enjoy the cool evenings, while they last, and have a good week.

Horoscopes

ARIES (Mar 21/Apr 20) Don’t rush in and act combative this week, Aries. Take a more delicate approach to convince others to see things your way. As the saying goes, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”

TAURUS (Apr 21/May 21) Are you feeling like you may want to be a wellness warrior of late, Taurus? Start by taking inventory of the foods in your home and making some healthier changes.

GEMINI (May 22/Jun 21) Gemini, if you are looking to make a few new friends, ask others to connect you with like-minded individuals. You never know who you might meet until you give it a try.

CANCER (Jun 22/Jul 22) Cancer, if a delicate issue has been troubling you, reach out to someone you can trust and begin to talk things through. You will likely feel better just getting things out.

LEO (Jul 23/Aug 23) Leo, are you ready to take your project to the next level? Brainstorm with a coworker about the best way to get ahead and make a mark with this endeavor.

VIRGO (Aug 24/Sept 22) It could be time for a move and you just aren’t ready to admit it, Virgo. You may have gotten comfortable in one place, but a move could prove the right decision.

LIBRA (Sept 23/Oct 23) Libra, there are a lot of ideas swimming around in your head. You may need to put some things down on paper to see what really might be worth doing in the days to come.

SCORPIO (Oct 24/Nov 22) Connect with a friend or even your partner for an intimate dinner this week. You’ve been moving in different circles and it’s time to get on the same page.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23/Dec 21) Invite people to stop by and cheer you up, Sagittarius. You’ve been going through a rough patch and there’s nothing like happy faces and new perspectives to bring about a smile.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22/Jan 20) Capricorn, be sure to check your bank account pretty regularly; otherwise, you may lose track of spending and get yourself into a financial mess that could be tough to get out of.

AQUARIUS (Jan 21/Feb 18) Aquarius, you may be your own worst enemy this week, especially as it pertains to thinking that someone may be trying to cause trouble with you at work. Get the facts before acting.

PISCES (Feb 19/Mar 20) Pisces, there is a process to everything. Remain patient and stay the course no matter how excited you are. Rest assured that things will work out