Benefits of Accessibility in House and Land Packages: The Smart Choice for your New Build

When planning to build your first home, there’s a lot to take into consideration. Location, design, budget, and, of course, functionality, is top of mind. One thing many overlook in their home design plans is accessibility. This factor in home design goes beyond just making a home wheelchair-friendly; it’s about creating a home that works for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

What is Accessibility in Home Design?

In terms of home design, accessibility refers to creating a space that is easier to navigate and functional for all regardless of age, ability, or mobility. Accessibility is about removing barriers that could limit a person’s ability to move around, access areas or features of the home and allowing people to perform everyday tasks independently. It’s a holistic approach to design that ensures comfort, convenience, and safety for all inhabitants and guests.

The reality of life is that our physical needs change over time, whether this is due to aging, injury, or other factors, future-proofing your home is a good idea. Designing homes with accessibility in mind, allows a smoother adaption to different life stages, meaning you’re not just planning for now, but for the future.

By thinking ahead and incorporating accessible design at the beginning, you’re investing in a home that can be enjoyed for years to come, no matter how your needs may evolve.

What Are the Key Features of Accessible Homes?

Accessibility is not just about adding ramps and keeping your home one-level, though those can be valid features – there are key features you could factor into your home design plan when choosing your house and land package:

1. Accessible Bathrooms

Accessible bathrooms are designed to make personal care safer and more convenient for everyone. This might include:

• Holding rails in the shower, next to the toilet, and near the sink.
• Showers that eliminate the need to step into them, making them easier for those with mobility aids to use.
• Lower sinks and counters that can be used from a seated position.
• Wider spaces to allow easier movement and accommodate wheelchairs or walkers.

2. Elevators

Incorporating an elevator into a new home build can offer long-term benefits. It is one way of ensuring that all levels of the home can be easily reached without compromising home design. An elevator can help increase a home’s market appeal, especially for buyers seeking convenience and multi-generational living options.

3. Lowered Light Switches and Outlets

Switches and outlets that are placed lower on the wall make them more accessible for people in wheelchairs or those who may find it hard to reach typical placements. This adjustment can help ensure that every part of the home is usable without frustration.

4. Smart Home Technology

Integrating smart home features like voice-activated assistants, automated lighting, and smart thermostats can make managing your home easier and more efficient. This is especially helpful for individuals with physical limitations, as it reduces the need for manual controls. Paerata Rise offers multiple Masterbuilder build-partners that can cater to all your smart home design plans in your house and land package. Additionally, they offer smart home show-homes for you to visit before making the decision to include it into your house and land package design.

These features are designed with a wide range of needs in mind to help make your home a safer and more functional place to live. Plus, when you include these features in your house and land package, you’ll be creating a home that’s more welcoming for friends and family of all abilities.

Why Does Accessibility Matter in House and Land Packages and how does it Enhance Value and Liveability?

When you invest in accessibility features in your new build, you’re not just helping enhance your own quality of life, but the long-term value of your property. Here’s how accessibility will help to improve both the liveability of your home and its future value:

1. Future-Proofing Your Home

The best part about accessibility is that it’s an investment in the future. As we age, mobility can become more of a challenge, and what might feel like “extra” features now, can become crucial later. By including accessible features in your home design, you’re ensuring your home will remain comfortable and usable for a lifetime. For buyers, this can be a major purchasing point. If you’re planning to stay in your home for decades, you won’t have to worry about costly or disruptive renovations down the road. This kind of foresight is increasingly important to those who are looking for homes that can evolve with their needs over time.

2. Wider Buyer Appeal

When accessibility features are part of your home’s design, you’re broadening the pool of potential buyers. Homes that are adaptable to a range of needs and are attractive not just to people with disabilities, but also to anyone looking to future-proof their home with a safer, more comfortable living environment. Parents with young children, elderly relatives, or people recovering from injuries will appreciate features like wider hallways, lower counters, non-slip flooring and easy-to-navigate spaces.

3. Increased Marketability and Resale Potential

Homes with accessible features may stand out in a competitive real estate market. In fact, homes that are designed with accessibility in mind may even increase in value as people seek out homes that cater to a broader range of needs. As the population ages, the demand for homes that can accommodate future mobility challenges is expected to rise. For first-time homebuilders, this means you’re not only investing in your immediate comfort but also in the long-term marketability of your property. Homes with accessible features are being increasingly viewed as premium.

4. Lower Maintenance Costs

Accessible homes often have features that require less maintenance over time. For example, non-slip flooring is not only safer but also more durable and requires less frequent replacement. Smart home systems can help reduce energy costs and improve the overall efficiency of your home, making it easier to maintain in the long run. Additionally, step-free entrances such as ramps, wider doorways and hallways and other accessible design choices tend to be more practical for everyday, which can reduce wear and tear on the home. Lower maintenance costs translates into savings for the homeowner and makes the property more appealing to future buyers.

In summary, factoring in accessibility as an option of your home design can be a smart choice. Whether you’re planning to stay in your home forever, or you’re thinking about selling it down the line, investing in accessibility features may pay off both now and in the future. It’s about creating a home that fits your needs and can adapt as they change, while also making your property more attractive and marketable in the long run.

The team at Paerata Rise are available and always happy to sit with you and talk through exactly what you are looking for in your house and land package home design, as well as the accessibility features you are looking for.

Visit www.paeratarise.co.nz for further information and don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team with any questions.