Buying a House in Ontario

[lynnifer]

House hunting for the single gal in a wheelchair is a hugely frustrating process. I've been looking to buy a house on/off for the past five years.

I earn enough to buy a 2bdrm (like others who walk my age), but not enough to build. So then I'm stuck with a 2bdrm that I have to renovate, more specifically, the bathroom, kitchen and a ramp. Then my single person's home of anywhere from $90,000 to $120,000 gets turned into only-gawd-knows-how-much. I am at my wits' end. This is hugely unfair .. I know that life is unfair, boy do I know .. but I just wanted to vent a little and find out what others do!

I can afford a condo, but I've lived in a one-bedroom apartment for the past eight years and don't want to live in a multi-storied building anymore. I want a backyard which actual trees and grass! The only luxury I ask is a carport or garage that's attached - so I can get out in the dry and not have to scrape or shovel in the winter anymore. I'm getting too old for that crap.

I have no family to depend on. In fact, my brother in speaking for him and his father (yes I said HIS father) said that I should not expect them to come down to cut the grass or when I need help. They're an hour away anyway. I say: I've never asked in the 13yrs that I've moved out, why would I start asking now? Idiots. Anyway, so you get the idea. The brother who said this is the eldest and was given the family farm and house with contents, so I'm not going to respect much of what he says anyway. I have another brother that I can ask to help me go look at houses (up the stairs) but he is completely financially fragile and I expect him to be tossed out soon and knocking on my door since he helped me look (one weekend). I'd like to ask him to come and help me look this weekend, but I notice his phone has been cut off. lol

There are the cops at work who have said numerous times that all I have to do is ask, but they all have families and I don't want to be bothering them on weekends, really. Even the Mortgage Broker offered her 6', 200lb son to help me go and look. lol! He is an acquaintence.

I met a residential architectural consultant at a medical seminar I went to in London last September - but he said he was used to dealing with those who had won settlements, not on a budget. He said he would come look if I asked, but I would be paying for his gas and time and he's almost four hours away from me.

Blasted!

So if I approach my local construction association, I'll more than likely be referred to someone who has NO IDEA what wheelchair accessibility is. I need someone I can communciate with, someone who understands my needs, someone who'll be honest and upfront with cost and willing to be creative enough to tackle my accessibility problems.

I have found a wonderful, beautiful bachelorette house that I can't stop thinking about (would only need a carport and ramp in the back with concrete flooring and a wall torn down inside, bathroom redone and new kitchen countertop lowered and with double sink, not one) but it is in a questionable area I'm not familiar with at all. Closer to work though. A gentleman bought it with his girlfriend and the realtionship soured. It's been all completely redone and is almost like a brand new home. He has already come down $22,000 in his price to unload it, citing bad memories. Low taxes.

There's another house that's down the street from a good friend and in a MUCH BETTER area and her family has been more like a family to me anyway, but I'm sure the house would have to be gutted to be made open concept. It costs $104,000, I was approved for $130,000 so I can afford a bit of flexibility with renovations. Higher taxes though.

What to do? What have others done? It really peeves me off that all the accessible housing in Windsor seems to be co-op or welfare housing! The houses they build anymore are all cookie-cutter split levels. What does this say!? Sheesh ...

[This message was edited by lynnifer on 04-02-04 at 06:12 AM.]

[mk99]

Hi Lynnifer,

I empathisize with your situation. I assume you are in Windsor right? I live in Toronto so I don't know how useful this will be for you but here goes anyway:

The company that did my modifications was very good. Not cheap but this is all they do. They are:

Adaptable Design
owner: Jeff Baum
(416) 781-3335

We struggled with the housing issue for a while too and ended up buying a large 4 bedroom 2 story house, putting in an accessible bathroom and an elevator. That was about it... still cost a ton of money. Of course, I have a wife, 2 kids and Mother-in-Law who often stays with us so we needed the space.

A smaller bungalow sounds like the way to go for you. Have you checked mls.ca for listings?

[dogger]

Lynnifer , i don't know anything about buying houses , when i bought this one i chose it for the block it was on [ 20,000acres] . and as for renovations etc , i still haven't finished unpacking after 4 years . however any experts in housing always seem to say ''buy the worst house in the best street , not the best house in the worst street '' . don't be backward in coming forward about accepting the offers to help you look [ though your brother sounds like the best bet , and it could be sort of a deposit for later accomodation ] , they offered , you didn't beg and plead for help . just make sure where ever you buy is close to a pub and got a quiet corner in the backyard . because one day when the financial gods smile on me , i am going to do a trip through North America and will be looking for places to roll out my swag . http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
best of luck house hunting ,
dogger

every day i wake up is a good one .

[Jeff B]

"I met a residential architectural consultant at a medical seminar I went to in London last September - but he said he was used to dealing with those who had won settlements, not on a budget."

That is a major problem with accessibility consultants. They are so used to dealing with big insurance settlements that they don't know/want to work within a budget. Many also just contract out the work anyway so you end up paying 10-15% extra just to cover their project management fees.

I will be having a house renovated this fall and have to go with an accessibility consultant in order for my insurance company to agree to a renovation plan. However, it was/is a battle trying to keep the costs to a reasonable level. I'm sure that some things are being overpriced just because people are used to sucking lots of money from big insurance settlements (which mine is not). In fact I already had insurance reject the proposed renovations on an earlier house I was considering buying because the consultant had been way too extensive/expensive.

You could probably get a better deal working with an ordinary contractor. I would suggest that you try to find a reputable one before you buy a house and discuss your needs with him first. Then before you make an offer on a house have him/her go through the house to make sure that it can be renovated for a reasonable cost. You don't want to buy a place and find out later that the wall you wanted to move to make the bathroom bigger is a wall that can't be moved, or that you need major plumbing or wiring upgrades.

Once you buy a house I would also try to get the ramp built early in the renovation process so that you can easily get in to keep a close eye on the rest of the work. That way you can regularly make sure that things are being done to your specifications (counter heights etc), rather than find out too late to fix it without extra costs.

Good luck.

[mk99]

From my own personal experience I would highly suggest buying an existing home and renovating UNLESS you find an excellent builder who has done Accessible Homes before and is reasonable. We bought our house through Minto Developments and they were awful. Ended up buying a brand new "stock" house and then ripping it up to put in elevator, roll-in shower, etc. It was much cheaper than what they wanted to build it right in the first place. Bastards.

Hey Dogger, what are you doing in the Canadian forum anyway? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif maybe a little bit of Kanuck envy? http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[lynnifer]

Okay, now I'm really peeved.

I booked a local contractor to come and look at the house with me on the 20th. I called the local Homebuilders Association who referred me to this business which has done this type of work before. I made it very clear that I wanted someone who would listen to me, not construct what they thought was best.

I was working under the 'silly' assumption that I could do the renovations and include them in the cost of my mortgage. Not so.

I don't qualify for the RRAP (a program offered through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) because the income limit is $25,000 - where are these people living? Mobile homes? Talk about another redundant program. Through March of Dimes, there is more funding available but you have to own the home first. I ask how one in a wheelchair can own the home they can't access? Some ACTUAL questions in the application say, 'How is the person accessing the area you would like modified now?' Ummm duh ...

I would like to see it available that renovations CAN be included with the mortgage ... I see GIGANTIC loopholes here with regard to the disabled and home ownership. I'm actually considering visiting my Member of Parliament about this. I'm not asking for a handout or for someone else to pay - I want the rules changed so that *I* can pay for the renovations.

The only problem I could foresee with this change is that every Tom, Dick and Mary would be claiming that they're disabled ..

Am I asking too much?

[lynnifer]

To anyone injured young (me at age 12):

You will never be able to afford a home. Better count on help from the parents or hope that someone leaves you something.

I hired a contractor to walk through the house I'm interested in for $75/hr ... $25,000+ worth of renovations on a house that's only worth $95,900. So it isn't going to happen. I never accounted for THAT MUCH in renovation costs. That only covers a ramp, a cement pad to park the car, laundry hookups, widened doors and the bathroom fixtures replaced. It was less when we spoke, more when I got it in writing. That doesn't account for when they're halfway through and 'find something' that will cost $10,000 more.

I'm hugely disappointed. I'm not used to failure. It appears this f'ing wheelchair gets in the way of my life .. yet again.

Housing in this province is hugely unfair. I wanted to take a job in London (two hours away) last year but couldn't because I couldn't find a place to live. If you're independent and work for a living, you can't live in those 'specified buildings for wheelchairs,' because they save them for those who need attendant care. I'm glad that there are places like that for those who need it, don't get me wrong, but where does that leave the rest of us?

The contractors and realtors I dealt with had absolutely no clue that someone like me isn't allowed to live in places like that.

It's impossible.

[CarThief]

lynnifer, I feel your pain. I can understand your frustration completely, trying to find an accessible home is not easy at the very least, but don't give up yet. Right now is probably the best time to get into home ownership, as interest rates are about as low as they're going to go, the cost of borrowing is almost free these days. Although I don't know any details pertaining to your financial position, I wouldn't hesitate to guess that it would be in your best interest to lock into a 5 to 7 year mortgage. If you are dealing with a "mortgage specialist" at a large financial institution/Bank, move on. I have found big banks to be far too stringent when it comes to getting the cash you need for what you want, not to mention their rates are usually about 2 points higher and admin fees/penalties are higher than you can do elsewhere. Don't let anyone tell you that renovations can't be included within your mortgage, because they can! (people from all walks of life do this everyday).
First find yourself an independent mortgage broker, or go to somewhere like Invis (http://www.invis.ca/) or ING (http://www.ingdirect.ca/), they will find you the lowest possible rates from the same lenders that are available to you trough your bank, (lower cost of financing means more available to the principal). Explain your situation thoroughly, you'll probably be surprise as to what options are available. Once you find the best mortgage and best rate for yourself, lock in with a pre-approval (usually good for 90 days). Also, be sure to ask about benefits available to 1st time home buyers right now, you will probably get in with zero down.
Second, make your realtor work for you, he/she wants you to make the purchase as soon as possible (time is money), so get creative and make it happen. If you need to, write the renovations into the agreement as a subject, or a subject of financing the renovations. The possibilities are really endless, you just need to get together and work it out. Perhaps you may want to bring the contractor into the agreement, maybe giving a deposit on the work to be done, or have the lender pay for the renovations in stages (as it is part of the deal).

No matter what, don't give up. This is probably the best time to get into home ownership if you are borrowing, so don't pass it up. Don't be fooled by the perception of everyone doing you a favor by lending or getting the appropriate financing, or by getting the best deal on a home. In reality, you are doing everyone a favor by purchasing. For every dollar that you borrow, the lender can leverage at least twice that, so by lending you money they get to make money on top of your interest. Keep that in mind when someone pretends to be doing you the favor. Good luck lynnifer.

[baystater]

Hello neighbors to the north!

I'm a real estate agent in the US (Boston) who is focusing part of my business on working with mobility-impaired buyers to help them find accessible homes/condos.

I'm putting together a one-stop home buying service that provides clients with a database of accessible properties (such as it is), referals to home modification contractors and modification funding sources (loans and grants), videos of property to cut down on unnecessary trips, info on ADA specifications and peer counseling from a disability advocate (and former client) who is a c-4,5. I'm also a PCA part-time so have a basic understanding of issues facing people who use wheelchairs.

This is in addition to the usual real estate services. I'm hoping there is sufficient demamnd for this type of thing. I'm curious as to whether you would find this type of service helpful. I'd appreciate your thoughts, feedback, suggestions, etc.

Thanks!


Dave

[Sh0rty]

I dont know if any of this helps, but I just built a house outside of London, and it was really expensive (sometimes I think too expensive) but I was looking into some things while building and there are programs out there that assist people in wheelchairs. They only help though to modify an already exsisting house to make it "wheelchair friendly" So they would eat some of the costs for you such as the ramps and things. Also have you tried March of Dimes? I thought they did stuff like that. I know here in London there is a real estate agent that deals only with accessable housing, maybe you have something like that in your area??

[lynnifer]

Shorty - thanks for the reply. I have already looked into all the programs available and I don't qualify because I apparently earn too much.

I didn't really want one .. but I noticed a condo newly under construction in a rather choice location so I've initiated something with the realtor/builder for that .. they seem more than willing to work with me and could understand my frustrations completely. They 'say' they're going to try and keep the condo as close to the original asking price as possible because the plumbers, electricians etc have to be there to do the work anyway. At the house I was looking at, it was going to cost $400 just to have an electrician move an outlet a few inches (to widen a doorway). AS IF.

I wanted a backyard .. but instead I'm one block away from a major park and the Detroit River (if it goes through) so I hope it all works out. Possession is the day before my birthday in October.

[murrey]

Where in ontario are you Lynnifer?

[triedandconvicted]

Lynnifer,

try this,he was at the Motion show in Toronto,and is highly recommended for
the situation you,me and many others need for modifications.My insurance ran out,my house is sttill needing work,and this is about my only option.


The Assistance Store
27 Fisherman Drive, Unit 6
Brampton,Ontario
L7A 1E2
905-495-5855
18778227747

Grant Zandwyk-De-Has
General Manager

It is my understanding that if you supply the materials they will provide the labour free of charge for persons with disabilities in need of adapting their homes to make them accessible. I met Grant at the People in Motion Show and he is a fabulous man

[lynnifer]

murrey - Windsor Ontario

triedandconvicted - I was at the motion show in Toronto - I somehow missed that booth - but admittedly I was flustered after dealing with someone at a government booth who could only offer me a Canadian flag pin to my questions.

I went for the condo. It's a done deal now - signed and sealed - but not yet paid for lol. They charged me $4700 over and above everyone else so the architect could change his design and make the doors wider, the kitchen countertops further apart and remove a wall that wasn't built yet to make the bathroom 12ft long. I'm a bit miffed with that ... but I guess I should count my lucky stars. It's better than the $25,000+ I was looking at for a house renovation. They also couldn't guarantee me that my chair would fit through the door leading to my extra-small balcony ... but it does. They said it would alter the structure of the building, I say it would alter the outside appearance ... but it's neither here nor there anyways since I fit.

Condos seem to be faring well in our aging population so I'm hoping in a couple of years down the road, I can 'zing' a needy senior citizen for a completely barrier free condo. I'm so thoughtful ... NOT. Then I can have my house with the green backyard and an attached garage <--- what I really wanted.

[nate007]

Nothing wrong with zinging somebody on a barrier free condo, i'm planning on doing it too down the road someday. Actually, with the money I spent rennovating it, if I break even selling it i'll be doing really good, even with Winnipeg's hot housing market. Maybe i'll just become a slumlord and rent it out until i'm really old and need to move back.

[Valeen]

I have to agree with Jeff on this one, I purchased a home and renovated it. There was a perfect spot for an elevator and he lived in the garage. I also added a new room 20 by 13 for myself so that I could have ample room for the wheelchair.

The master bedroom bathroom was large enough to change the bathtub into a role in shower. There are lots of homes of their that our bungalows or as to what you might be looking for a flat with no upstairs that can be easily converted.

Good luck!

[Valeen]

I apologize for some of the sentence structure as I use software, NaturallySpeaking but I am sure you can figure it out.

[lynnifer]

Okay - time for a new rant. lol

Mortgage insurance. So I can have the place paid for and leave it to someone when/if I die unexpectedly. Not everyone qualifies - even a nurse I ran into who was morbidly obese and her husband who suffered epilepsy couldn't get it. A sample of questions:

1. Have you ever been tested for, received any treatment, medical advice, consultation, diagnosis, required followup for or had any known indication of:
- problems realating to heart, circulation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, cancer, tumor, leukemia, lupus, asthma or any other lung or respiratory condition
- diabetes, hepatitis, liver or kidney disease, stomach or intestinal condition, multiple sclerosis or any other condition affecting the central nervous system including paralysis
- alcohol or substance abuse, depression or other mental, nervous or psychiatric condition, or have you ever tested positive for, or been diagnosed as having any HIV virus or any other associated disease including AIDS or any other immunological disease or condition?

2. Have you ever received any treatment for or consulted a physician or other health care provider for, or been diagnosed as having sprains, strains or other problems or conditions of the neck, back, shoulder, elbow or other joints, muscles, ligaments or tendons?

3. Are you currently receiving, or have you ever received, disability or workers' compensation benefits for a period longer than one month?

4. Have you been a patient in a hospital or similar institution during the past five years (Other than for normal pregnancy)?

5. Have you consulted or been examined by a doctor or other health care provider during the past three years?

6. Have you used tobacco products at any time during the past 12 months?

7. What is your weight an height?

I imagine this leaves out a lot of people! I feel sorry for some Canadians who succumbed to the hepetitis scandal ... and paralysis due to no fault of yours sets you out too!?

I post this for other people hoping to buy real estate in the future. As well, the cabinet guy and I are having a disagreement on standard height/lowered cabinets. It's right in my contract - I made sure of it - so I won't hear any different. And flooring is twice as much as I had figured for - almost $3000 for laminate wood and ceramic tile.

Yeouch. Won't be long now though.

[nate007]

Which bank is that with? My mortgage is through Royal and it has no mention of paralysis. Either that, or me and my mortgage officer both missed it.

[lynnifer]

Royal Bank.

[nate007]

Wow, I wonder if their policies have changed in the last 14 months, or if I overlooked something.

[Emi2]

Originally posted by lynnifer:

Royal Bank.

Ohcrap,guessIshouldreadthefineprint.Ibettercallthe bank.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon
<a href="http://www.tickercentral.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.tickercentral.com/view/1u3/1"></a>

[nate007]

Spacebar troubles?

[KiranA]

lynnifer,

I just read this post. if you ever need help with anything in terms of yard work, etc, I have family who live in Windsor and my uncle loves helping my friends out. Just let me know if you ever decide to buy a house with a yard http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

~And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all- Socrates~

[lynnifer]

It's official. Heard from the Royal Bank which states:

"When you completed the statement of health, you informed us that you have a history of paraplegia secondary to transverse myelitis. Based on this information relating to your health history, your mortgage insurance application has been declined; therefore, we are not able to offer you insurance coverage."

So how did the rest of you get it then?

P.S. Thanks Kiran .. within five years of owning this condo, I hope to graduate to a house!

[mk99]

This is bullshit. At least check with other banks... if not speak to a lawyer. And write a letter to the President of Royal Bank. You'd be surprised what a letter can accomplish... with maybe a subtle threat of bad publicity for Royal Bank.

[lynnifer]

I went to check on my condo three weeks ago. Everything I had made such a big deal about (wheeling under sinks, raised toilet (not the lower normal ones), held-held shower, grab bars by toilet - was not done. They wanted to charge me extra for a different sink and toilet ... but I kindly referred them to the contract. I thought of referring to the real estate lawyer - but I don't see a need now as they conceded. I can't believe they were iffing me over it - it's in black and white! The bathroom is going to be pricey to fix - but they made the mistake, not me - they wanted to charge me extra! I also had asked them a million times to call me when they started the bathroom - not one call, not one email.

So important for anyone thinking of building to GET IT IN WRITING and stick to it. I'm being advised (coworkers, sister, friends) not to give a move-in date until things are fixed as well.

Builders surely know how to take the wind of the excitement ... lol.

The only guy to come through for me was the flooring dude - he did an awesome job and added a little ramp for free at the front so my chair doesn't smoosh the laminate wood floor (I'm assuming).

[Shaun]

Im glad its all comin together for ya though.Ive never met anyone who has had a home building go completely smooth...Went i got my mortgage,i went through a mortgage broker.He did all my bidding with the banks for me,explaining my situation to them and gettin me an awsome 4.25% interest rate.My dis was never a problem..

~~I knew a lady who came from Duluth,bit by a dog with a rabid tooth,she went to her grave just a little to soon and flew away howlin on the yellow moon~~

[Jeff B]

My crappy contractor thought that if I didn't catch him in the act of doing something wrong that I was being unreasonable to make him fix it. He would whine "But it is already done." Too bad buddy fix it. He actually complained to me once that he was lossing his shirt on the job. I said:"If you had done everything on time and right in the first place you would have made lots of money and we would both be happy."