There are many facets to working with buyers for wheelchair accessibilty in a home. There is much more to consider than just the ramp that may be required to get into the home. Having gone through the experience with a family member and several friends that required wheelchair access in a home I am intimately familiar with the unique problems and solutions required for this type of purchase.
To answer the second part of your question quite simply put if you don't have a buyers agent working for you then at least in my area you will either be represented by a sellers agent or subagent who is responsible to conduct the sale to the best interest of the seller. Having a buyers agent working for you means that you will have the benefit of a professional that will be able to represent your interests in the sale and who will be obligated to advance your best interests in all areas.
I would be happy to assist you in your purchase..

Hello Merciel,

I am currently working with a client that requires wheel-chair accessibility....so, I have already check out many homes on his behalf. I would be honored to work with you as well. As your buyers agent I will preview the homes/spec that meet your demands and accompany you to the ones that interest you. I am sure you are aware this professional service is provided to you at no charge to you....the sellers pays the buyers agent!
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me: donnab@lakenormanrealty.com
Mobile number: 704-880-8022
Look forward to hearing from you soon!!!

I would suggest having a buyers agent. The buyers agent usually gets paid by the Seller and have access to all the knowledge of a qualified agent to assist you in all phases of purchasing a home. It is a good idea have a agent watch your back . There maybe things that come up during your buying process that an agent can point out that you should pay attention to. Buying a home is a big investment and you do not want to make any mistakes. As far as wheelchair accessible. use your buyers agent to preview homes for you with the specification being that doorways have to be wide enough for a wheelchair, access to inside and out etc. This will save you many hours of looking. Let the buyers agent screen your homes before you do so you do not waste valuable time. Hope this helps and if I can be of service. please let me know. My cell number is 704=607-7514 or visit our site at http://www.carolina-real-estate.com

Merciel,

Yes there are. I had a former client who built there house with this in mind. They had wider hallways, lower counter tops and even an elevator in the house. With the right agent and research your needs can be met. As far as needing a buyers agent I would not recommend you doing this on your own. We are licensed and trained professionals and this is what we do everyday. As a buyers agent we are representing you and your best interest. We research, negotiate on your behalf, schedule inspections, help you obtain financing with mortgage professionals and assist you through the entire process until you have closed on you home. Feel free to contact me at snewell@wilkinsonandassocites.com with any further questions you may have.

Steve Newell
Wilkinson & Associates Real Estate
Mooresville, North Carolina

Universal design or wheelchair accessible homes can mean many different things to different people. Some homes are designed as "owner-accessible", in which the master bath and master suite incorporate many accessible features. Others are "secondary-accessible", in which a guest suite or secondary bedroom and bath are designed as accessible, but other parts of the home may be more standard. In addition, some "accessible" homes have a fully accessible kitchen (roll under counters, front controls, roll under cooktop, low microwave, etc), while other accessible homes may have wide hallways and doorways, but may not have every feature that you need.

Check http://www.stantonhomes.com/AccessibleHomes.aspx for a list of the most common accessible features. Use this list with your agent, and check off the features that you do and don't need. This will help them better narrow down homes that meet your precise needs.

Some time ago I sold a home to a person in an wheelchair. Fortunately she had plenty of information for me to go over and websites to access for information. I also worked with her to hire a contractor who could do some necessary alterations to the property. It was quite a process but I learned a lot and enjoyed the experience. Your best bet would be to find an agent who is willing to either learn what they need to or one who has been through this process before. If the agent you interview isn't willing to invest the time and effort to help you secure the property that will best suit your needs then keep interviewing. Frankly there was much more of a gap between what I thought I knew about accessibility and what I really knew. One more thought. You might want to contact the local association of Realtors in your area and see if they have anyone who specializes in finding homes that are wheelchair accessible.