Breaking Barriers: Real Access, Real Inclusion
Breaking Barriers: Real Access, Real Inclusion
Consider a person who uses a wheelchair and is relocating to Clayton. As they scan “Homes for Sale in Clayton, NC,” every listing feels like a gamble — will the front steps be a barrier? Will the hallways allow turning? Will the bathroom be usable? Without an agent versed in accessibility, many doors remain invisible.
To truly serve an inclusive community, real estate must consider not only buyers who walk into view, but buyers whose access is challenged. Accessibility isn’t an afterthought — it’s a necessity. Inclusivity ensures people with mobility limitations, aging clients, or families with special needs are treated with respect, competence, and pathway clarity.
Below, you’ll find how to recognize, create, and market accessible homes, how to serve accessibility-first clients, and why Brandy Nemergut positions herself as a real estate advocate for inclusion in Clayton.
Accessibility & Universal Design: Foundational Ideas
To talk about inclusive real estate, we must understand key definitions and principles.
Accessibility: The quality of making spaces usable by people of varying abilities (mobility, balance, sensory) without needing adaptation as much as possible.
Universal Design: Designing environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation.
ADA / Accessibility Standards: The ADA Standards set by the U.S. government primarily apply to public accommodations and commercial facilities; private residences are not always legally required to comply. ADA.gov+1
Visitability: A design approach that ensures new homes allow even one “visit route” accessible: zero-step entry, wide doors, and at least a half bath on the main floor. Wikipedia
While private residences often don’t mandate full ADA compliance, adopting accessibility features not only serves clients with mobility needs but improves resale value, market differentiation, and the home’s long-term usability.
What to Look For: Key Accessibility Features in Homes
When evaluating or marketing a home in Clayton (or anywhere), here are critical features to assess or include:
Entry & Thresholds
Zero-step or ramped entry: No stairs at the main entrance. This is often the most visible barrier.
Low or flush thresholds: Transition levels (doorway jambs, sliding doors) should be flat or nearly so. Anchbh+1
Weather protection / covered entry: Keeps the pathway safe in inclement weather. Anchbh
Doorways, Hallways & Clearance
36-inch minimum door widths, ideally more, to permit wheelchair passage. Anchbh+1
Hallways of at least 42 inches for maneuverability.
Open floor plans with 5-foot turning radii in key rooms to allow turning movement. BraunAbility+1
Bathroom & Shower Design
Roll-in / curbless showers: Shower floors flush with the bathroom floor, no lip. BraunAbility+1
Grab bars and reinforced walls: Bars around toilets, tubs, or showers to aid transfers. Wikipedia+1
Accessible toilets: Raised-height toilets, adequate clearance, easy reach for controls. Wikipedia+1
Accessible sinks: Sinks with knee clearance, lever-style hardware, reachable positioning. Wikipedia
Flooring, Surfaces & Controls
Slip-resistant, stable flooring: Avoid highly polished tile, thick carpet, unstable surfaces. This Old House+1
Lever-style handles / door hardware: Easier to use than knobs, especially for limited grip strength.
Accessible outlet / switch heights: Light switches and thermostats positioned within reach zones; outlets not too low.
Expanded turning space and unobstructed zones: Especially in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms.
Retrofitting Older Homes: What’s Possible in Clayton, NC
Many homes in Clayton are older and not built with accessibility in mind. Retrofitting is often the path forward. Here’s what to know:
Common Modifications & Costs
Build a ramp or lift at the entry (cost depends on materials, slope, size).
Replace or widen doorways (requiring structural modifications).
Convert a bathroom to a roll-in shower, add grab bars, reinforce studs.
Adjust sinks, counters, and cabinets for access or height.
Add stair lifts or small home elevators for multi-level homes.
Install flooring or thresholds that smooth transitions.
Upgrade lighting, switches, outlets, and hardware.
The cost range varies widely—from a few thousand dollars for simpler changes to tens of thousands for major structural modifications.
Regulatory & Code Considerations in Clayton / Johnston County
Permits may be required for structural changes (widening walls, adding ramps).
Local building codes may have slope, railing, drainage, or setback requirements.
While ADA standards don’t always legally apply to private homes, local municipalities (Town of Clayton) have adopted ADA transition plans and are mindful of barrier removal in public infrastructure. townofclaytonnc.org
Always work with licensed contractors and check subdivision/HOA covenants to ensure modifications are allowed.
Inclusive Service: How Real Estate Agents Should Adapt
To genuinely be inclusive, real estate services must go beyond property features—agents must approach clients with respect, awareness, and flexibility.
Communication & Empathy
Use clear, respectful language. Ask clients how they prefer to communicate (phone, email, in-person).
Be patient and observant—if mobility aids are used, allow space, rest, and time.
Offer to meet at more accessible locations (e.g. ground-floor conference rooms, property lines) rather than forcing stair navigation.
Education & Advocacy
Be fluent in accessibility features and terminology so you can counsel clients meaningfully.
Bring in specialists (occupational therapists, accessibility consultants) when evaluation is needed.
Help buyers imagine retrofit possibilities (e.g. “You could widen this door and move this wall to open to the bathroom”).
Inclusive Client Intake & Screening
When meeting initially, include accessibility needs in your intake form.
Be proactive: show accessible listings, and filter homes that won’t meet mobility requirements.
Avoid showing homes with obvious barriers without first securing comfort or accommodations.
Sensitive Marketing & Disclosure
When marketing accessible features, use respectful language: “accessible,” “mobility-friendly,” “universal design,” rather than stigmatizing terms.
Sellers should disclose barriers or modifications done (or needed).
Highlight accessibility improvements as features, not afterthoughts.
By treating clients with dignity, competence, and care, an agent becomes more than a transaction facilitator—they become a trusted advocate.
Market Segments & Demand in Clayton
Who benefits most from accessible real estate services?
Seniors / aging homeowners downsizing or transitioning to age-friendly homes
People with mobility impairments or disabilities seeking accessible living
Families with temporarily limited mobility (injury recovery, caregiving)
Investors specializing in accessible or age-in-place properties
Multigenerational households needing universal design features
In Clayton, some existing accessible housing is evident: for example, Clayton Village Gardens at 303 Dairy Road is a seniors-only complex with wheelchair-accessible units. johnstonnc.com+1
Also, when renters search for “wheelchair access” in Clayton, multiple apartment options appear. Zillow+1
This signals that accessibility is recognized, though still niche. Agents who specialize in inclusive services have opportunity to lead in that niche.
How a Realtor Can Guide Accessibility-Focused Deals
Agents play a critical role in bridging client needs and property realities.
Evaluation & Pre-Screening
Before touring, vet homes for barriers (steps, narrow hallways, bathroom layout)
Use a checklist of accessibility features to qualify or disqualify
Request floor plans, measurements, and photos ahead of time
Specialist Integration
Partner with accessibility consultants or therapists to assess habitability
Bring contractors for retrofit estimates, advise clients on cost vs benefit
Help clients obtain grant programs or tax incentives (if available) for home modifications
Listing & Marketing Accessible Homes
When listing, highlight accessible or retrofit features clearly
Use respectful, positive language in marketing materials
Offer accessible showings—ensure paths, ramps, or alternate entry arrangements
Educate potential buyers about conversion or modification potential
Credible Guidance & Negotiation
Provide realistic retrofit cost assessments so buyers make informed offers
Negotiate credits or contingencies tied to inspection of accessibility features
Capably handle inspection items related to barrier removal
Post-Closing Follow-Up
Assist clients in connecting with contractors, accessibility upgrades, service providers
Offer check-ins and referrals for maintenance or incremental improvements
By filling this guidance gap, the agent becomes an indispensable part of the accessibility journey.
Example Adaptation: A Clayton Home Retro-Imagined
Suppose there’s a modest ranch-style home in a Clayton subdivision:
Its existing layout has two steps at the entry and narrow interior doors.
The buyer wishes to live there post-disability.
With inclusive service, Brandy would:
Pre-screen the property and share renderings of possible ramp design or entry modification
Bring an accessibility contractor to estimate widening door frames and retrofitting bathroom fixtures
Negotiate with seller to include a credit for accessible upgrades
During showings, ensure the pathway is cleared, lighting is good, and assistive access is safe
After contract, coordinate with the contractor to plan phasing of upgrades so move-in is smoother
Thus a home once passed over due to barriers becomes a viable, inclusive dwelling.
Tips & Guidance for Clients & Sellers in Clayton
For Buyers / Clients
Ask upfront about accessibility features (entry, hall widths, bathroom layout)
Request a site visit at different times of day (light levels, door usability)
Insist on measurement data—door widths, ceiling height, space clearance
Ask for retrofit cost estimates before committing
Demand inclusive service—don’t accept showings that force you to guess
For Sellers
Disclose known barriers or modifications
If possible, invest modest accessible upgrades (ramp, threshold changes, grab bars) to broaden buyer pool
Stage with universal design mindset (clear walkways, leverage lighting)
Market accessibility features as selling points—not apologies
For Agents
Develop your own accessibility checklist
Train on inclusive communication and respectful language
Build a contractor / retrofit network around accessibility
Promote accessible listings organically and sensitively
Keep inclusive service top-of-mind—clients with mobility needs deserve clarity, not trial-and-error
Why Brandy Commits to Accessibility & Inclusion
Brandy doesn’t see accessible clients as edge cases—she sees them as citizens with equal rights to dignity, home, and comfort. Her commitment includes:
Ongoing training in accessible housing and inclusive design
Maintaining a vetted network of contractors, therapists, and retrofit specialists
Incorporating accessibility criteria into her client intake and property vetting
Marketing homes with accessible features in respectful, effective ways
Advocating for clients who may otherwise be sidelined in real estate
This is not charity—it’s excellence in service.
Conclusion: Inclusion Builds Stronger Communities
Homes should uplift, not exclude. In Clayton, NC—a growing, diversifying community—the real estate world must expand to include everyone. Accessibility and inclusive services are not afterthoughts: they are integral to equitable service, better resale value, and a more compassionate market.
If you or your loved one needs an accessible home, retrofit guidance, or just an agent who truly understands inclusion, partner with Brandy Nemergut, Best Realtor in Clayton NC. She brings both design awareness and dignity to every property, every client, and every transaction.
Ready to discuss your real estate needs? Contact Be Sunshine Realty Group Brokered by EXP, today for a confidential consultation. Call (919) 583-6895 or visit www.livinginraleighnow.com to connect with Raleigh Triangle’s most trusted real estate team.
