Your Complete Guide to Home Hunting With a Disability

Posted on April 1, 2020April 2, 2020 by admin

When you’re looking at real estate listings in your area, it can feel like you’ll never find a property that checks all of your boxes, and if you need an accessible home, the process can feel downright discouraging. With so few homes on the market designed for people with disabilities, it’s harder to find a place to settle down.

People seeking accessible homes may need to take some additional steps if they want to close on a property. Here’s how to find a home that you can modify with accessibility in mind.

Getting Started

No matter what your needs are, the first steps of the home-buying process generally look similar for everyone. You’ll need to figure out how much money you can put down and how much you can afford to spend on monthly payments, and you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. If you need down payment assistance, see if your local or state housing authority offers special loans, grants, and tax credits. You will also want to budget for your future remodeling projects, so spend some time researching contractors’ rates in your area.

Viewing Homes

You’ll need a real estate agent who has helped previous clients find accessible homes and apartments. An agent who understands your needs can help you find open houses that are worth your time to attend.

Trying to sort through local listings on your own can be exhausting, but your agent will assist you as you narrow down your search! You should prioritize attending open houses at homes and apartments with spacious interiors. This will give you plenty of space for the fixtures you need.

Install New Flooring

If you choose to purchase a home with carpet, you should have hardwood floors installed before any other renovations. People using mobility aids are generally more comfortable in homes with hardwood floors, and they require less cleaning and maintenance than carpets.

Furniture removal, subfloor repairs, and flooring disposal will add to the cost of installation. Wood type will impact costs as well, with luxury woods being considerably more expensive. However, spending more on this project could pay off in the long run, since homes with hardwood floors generally have higher property values.

Design Your Bedroom

Once you have hardwood floors installed, you’ll probably want to modify your bedroom so that it becomes a space where you can feel safe and fully relaxed. If you use a mobility aid, there is a good chance you will need to hire contractors to widen the doorways (usually costs $300 – $800) to your bedroom and add a walk-in closet so that you can easily enter and exit. Depending on your needs, you may need to purchase an adjustable bed with fixtures like bed rails or ceiling lifts.

Kitchen and Bathroom Modifications

In both your kitchen and bathroom, you’ll want to ensure that you have adequate lighting so that you can move around safely. These rooms can present fall risks for people with disabilities, but proper lighting can help mitigate those risks. You will likely want to lower certain fixtures and appliances as well. Finally, make sure that you can easily reach any storage spaces. You can construct these rooms so that you’re able to access everything you need!

Many people with disabilities assume that homeownership is out of reach. However, this is not the case, and you do not have to give up on this important goal. You may not find the perfect home on the market, but working with the right real estate agent will help you buy a home that you can remodel to accommodate your needs.

Photo Source: Unsplash

Written by: Patrick Young | Ableusa.info | patrickyoung@ableusa.info

For: Metropolis Apartments | Contact us for for all your real estate needs | info@metropolisapts.com

Downsizing During Retirement? Avoid These Stressful Mistakes

Posted on October 17, 2019October 23, 2019 by admin

Think you’re ready to downsize your home? If you haven’t taken the time to plan properly, you could end up making quite a few mistakes. Downsizing can be a complicated and stressful process, and mishaps can make it worse for seniors. So before you start planning your downsizing move, make sure you can avoid these common missteps.

Not Weighing Pros and Cons of Downsizing

Before you start working on any other downsizing step, you need to decide whether downsizing is right for you. Ask yourself some serious questions to make an informed decision, and be sure to weigh any risks against possible benefits. For example, you could sell your home to buy a smaller one, but you may also need to adjust your profit expectations to account for selling expenses. Those expenses can include, but are not limited to, agent commissions, repair costs and staging fees (which average $2,300 to $3,200 nationally) to help your home sell. Of course, you can also save on utilities and rent or a mortgage with a smaller home or apartment, which may outweigh any potential profit losses from selling your old home.

Not Researching Assisted Living Options

Assisted living can be a scary prospect for many seniors, but it really shouldn’t be. This housing option provides seniors with the extra care they need without any major sacrifices in life quality or independence. So before you put a lot of time and effort into finding a smaller home, think about whether local assisted living may be a better fit for your golden years. With the expenses for assisted living centers in New York City ranging from $1,500 to $17,250 per month, you will want to tour facilities and look for a community that can provide your preferred level of care without any excess costs. While cost shouldn’t be your primary consideration, knowing this information can help you plan for expenses more efficiently.

Not Creating a Financial Plan for Retirement

Saving for retirement is a smart move for adults of all ages, but too many people fail to address two questions when creating their financial plan. In order to enjoy the years ahead and afford your downsizing move, you need to know what age you plan to retire (many people aim for 65, but this doesn’t always happen) and whether you will continue to work during retirement. Answering these two questions will allow seniors to plan out their expenses and adjust spending to cover potential downsizing costs, such as new furniture or storage fees.

Not Asking for Help From Experienced Pros

If you have decided to downsize your home, and know you can afford it, then you need to seek out the right professionals to guide you through the process. Before you make any major financial decisions around retirement, you may want the expert advice of a financial planner. In a single consultation, you should be able to figure out whether retiring and downsizing makes financial sense, and how to begin living off of your retirement savings without major sacrifices. Once you have your finances squared away, reach out to an experienced realtor, who can take the stress out of searching for a smaller home and also help you navigate the homebuying process.

Not Beginning Moving Tasks Early Enough

There’s a lot to think about when planning a move, which means the chances for missing important details is pretty high. To avoid this mistake, take care to create a moving checklist that includes minor tasks, like changing your address, as well as major undertakings, like decluttering your belongings. Decluttering can be especially challenging for older adults, so allow yourself enough time to process related changes and emotions. Look online for decluttering tips to make the work a little easier, and don’t be too shy to ask close friends, family members or neighbors to help you, if needed.

Managing a move can be stressful for anyone, including seniors looking to downsize. Make sure your plan will help you avoid common downsizing mistakes, like the ones mentioned above, so you can avoid additional stress and start enjoying your retirement sooner.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Written by: Suzie Wilson ⎸info@happierhome.net ⎸Happier Home

For: Metropolis Apartments | Contact us for for all your real estate needs.

Buyer Broker in New York City

Posted on June 5, 2019November 5, 2019 by admin

As a Buyer Broker in New York City Metropolis Apartments will assist our buyer/customers in all aspects of the search and closing aspects of acquiring a property in New York.

As a member of the Real Estate brokerage community for over two decades we are an integral part of a network of over 200 member brokerage companies with thousands of listing agents in New York City, all of whom enjoy mutual co-brokering agreements with METROPOLIS.

Specializing as a Buyer Broker in New York City, the METROPOLIS agent will leave no stone un-turned, tapping data bases and contacts for both off-market and on-market properties. Our goal is to present to our buyer/customers a wide range of potential properties so that an informed choice may be made.

A Listing Broker represents the sellers’ interests. The buyer needs to have knowledgeable and dedicated representation to be sure to get the right property at the right price, without paying too much for the incidentals of the deal.

As Buyer Broker in New York City we our dedicated service includes advice and consultation in the following areas:

Whether to buy CO-OP or CONDO.
Budget evaluation.
Building financials.
Attorney referrals.
Mortgage Broker referrals.
Infrastructure analysis of potential neighborhoods.
Negotiation of the deal including price, conditions, improvements, etc.
Terms of Sales Contract.
Board package preparation, completion and submission.
Board interview preparation.
Coordination and follow up of all parties to the transaction.
Setting of closing date and venue.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO GET YOU THE BEST PROPERTY AT THE BEST PRICE IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE.

Metropolis Apartments is a Buyer Broker in New York City.

SIMPLE MAKEOVER FOR YOUR APARTMENT BEDROOM

Posted on May 1, 2019October 29, 2019 by admin

How to Makeover Your Apartment Bedroom Without Making Major Changes

Tired of dealing with a boring bedroom? It can be tricky to know how to add some personality to your bedroom when you are renting an apartment. You don’t want to commit to any permanent changes, but you also don’t want to lose your personal style. So, how can apartment dwellers find a compromise? By using these tips to create their dream bedroom.

Add Some Style to Walls, No Painting Required

A splash of color on your walls can make the biggest difference in your bedroom. When you live in an apartment, however, a new paint job may not make sense, as it’s not easily reversible. So, how can you makeover your bedroom without losing your deposit? Well, you actually have quite a few options! One way to add some personality to apartment walls is with your very own gallery wall, which you can accomplish without damaging walls. You can use a simple tool to hang prints from your favorite local artists or any other decor that compliments your personal style. Want to make an even bigger statement but still don’t want to paint? Modern wallpapers make it easy with soothing prints that cling to your bedroom walls without causing permanent damage. When you’re ready to move, you can simply peel it off.

Save Bold Patterns and Colors for Pillows and Curtains

If you want to be able to relax in your bedroom, you need to stick to calming colors for the wallpapers and artwork mentioned above. Earthtones are often the easiest ways to blend your decor with white or off-white apartment walls, and they can also enhance your sleep. When you have your heart set on adding some pops of color to your room, you can do so easily with textiles. As you decorate and refresh your bedroom, be sure to focus on window treatments as a way to liven up the space. In addition to using bold, fun patterns and colors, you can also opt for blackout curtains that will turn your room into a sleep haven. You can also try some DIY throw pillow covers, which require no sewing to update the look of your bedroom.

Look for Furniture That Will Serve More Than One Purpose

Living in the city often means dealing with limited space, and your bedroom is no exception. If you plan to makeover your furniture, you need to ensure you choose options that are made for multitasking. That means shopping for a bed that has some space for storage underneath or a bookcase that can also serve as a laptop desk. Still wishing for more room in your bedroom? If space is really tight in your home, you can easily makeover your bedroom with a stylish Murphy bed. This can be a fun DIY project if you’re up to the task and can help you make the most of the square footage you do have in your bedroom. You can use a screen and some pillows to turn that extra space into a meditation zone, for even more relaxation in your bedroom.

Find Ways to Save on All of Your Bedroom Makeover Materials

Since you’re making over an apartment bedroom, chances are you will be moving again at some point in the future. So, it may not make sense to splurge on pricey furniture and decor, just to have those items not work in your next home. That’s why it’s smart to stick with budget-friendly retailers when you are buying new items for your bedroom. You can usually find small space-friendly furniture at stores like Target and World Market, and IKEA is always great when it comes to buying items you can easily hack into statement pieces. Another easy way to add unique style to your bedroom without breaking the bank is to shop for flea market finds that you can upcycle into furniture and decor for your makeover project.

Don’t settle for a basic bedroom just because you live in an apartment. With some simple changes, you can have a dreamy bedroom you cannot wait to come home to every night. So, have fun making over your bedroom!

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Written by: Erin Reynolds of diymama.net | erin@diymama.net

Contact Metropolis Apartments for all your real estate needs.

The Upper East Side: A Posh Neighborhood in Uptown Manhattan

Posted on March 2, 2019October 23, 2019 by admin

The Upper East Side is a Posh Neighborhood in Uptown Manhattan

When we think of the Upper East Side, images of wealthy residents and their purebred dogs come to mind. You also visualize trees lined community with beautiful houses on both sides of the streets. Well, you are not off the mark as this borough of Manhattan is indeed home to some of the wealthiest and influential people of the country. The Upper East Side is indeed a posh locality famous for its affluent residents.

High home prices and rents

The Upper East Side is bound by 96^th Street, 59^th Street, East River, and Fifth Avenue on its north, south, east, and west respectively. Median home prices in this neighborhood are $1.1 million while median monthly rents here are touching $2400. A lot of people are attracted to the Upper East Side, especially Museum Mile which is always buzzing with activities. However, the historic architecture of the buildings and clean sidewalks make it clear that this neighborhood hast a rather relaxed and calm atmosphere.

Relaxed and refined living

Central Park is, in many ways, the heart of Upper East Side. This sprawling park is full of greenery and provides an opportunity to the residents to have fun with friends and families, also enjoy its nature. This park will become your playground if you choose to make UES your home. You will find this neighborhood just like Paris. It feels so refined and aloof from the rest of Manhattan that you will feel as if you have come into another city.

Paradise for people with artistic leanings

Upper East Side is home to the famous Museum Mile, a mile long stretch that contains some of the finest museums around the world. If you are fond of art and culture, you would love to spend your time in some of these museums like Met, Jewish Museum, and the Guggenheim.

If you are looking for nightlife, you should go to Second Avenue. You will be surprised that there are no clubs here. But the Irish pubs on this street are very welcoming and remain open till late in the night. People enjoy alcoholic drinks, music, and dancing in the Irish pubs.

As far as real estate is concerned, you will find expansive townhouses and luxury apartment buildings with uniformed doorman standing at the front of the gate. Towards the eastern part of the Upper East Side, you will find one and two-bedroom apartments that are surprisingly affordable.

Upper East Side has a beauty and charm that is attracting more and more families. There are a lot of great schools, awesome playgrounds, and many diverse restaurants.

The Wellesley

https://www.metropolisapts.com/top-5-reasons-hire-real-estate-professional/

Claridge House

Posted on December 14, 2017November 8, 2019 by admin

Claridge House is a full service residential building on the Upper East Side.

The building features a Swimming Pool, 24 hour doorman service, and a beautiful lobby. It’s just around the corner from Whole Foods and blocks from Central Park. The Upper East Side neighborhood is so lively with access to many restaurants, retails shops and more; the Claridge House is in a great location.

The apartments get great sunlight and have great views. Hardwood floors, spacious living rooms and large windows are some of the apartment features you will find. The kitchens have high end stainless steeel appliances, granite counter tops and either Modern white or Maple Cabinetry.

Some of the other amenities at Claridge House include a roof deck, laundry, health club, valet service and parking.