Launching a home-based business is an exhilarating experience for many, but finding the right office space isn’t always easy — especially if you have a disability. However, dedicated workspaces are important for a number of reasons, and it’s important to create a home office that accommodates your disability and the nature of your work.
The following tips from the real estate professionals at HomeGirls Property Solutions share three options for creating an accessible office space for your home-based business. Read on to find the right solution for you!
Option 1: Renovate Your Home
If you plan on staying in your current home for some time, you could renovate it to create an accessible office space for your small business. As a few examples, you could build an accessible office addition, remove walls to create an open floor plan, replace stairs with wheelchair ramps, widen hallways and doorways, and make other modifications to improve your home’s accessibility. Plus, you may qualify for federal or private grants to help you pay for your home modifications and improvements.
Option 2: Design an Accessible Office Space
As an alternative to renovating your home, you may be able to design an accessible office space without paying for renovations. If you have a spare bedroom, for instance, you could furnish it with a few pieces of accessible office furniture and convert it into a space for your small business.
As an entrepreneur with disabilities, your home office needs may include the following:
- An accessible desk
- An adjustable chair and computer monitor
- Disability-friendly mice, keyboards, and touchpads
- Assistive technologies such as speech recognition, text-to-speech, and word prediction software
- Easy-to-reach shelving units, cabinets, and drawers
- Non-slip flooring
Option 3: Buy a New House
If your current home doesn’t accommodate your disability and/or business needs, buying a new house could be the best option for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you begin your accessible home search:
- What is your budget? Shaina Mishkin of Money.com offers some tips on calculating a realistic budget before purchasing a new home.
- What are your wants and needs? How much space will you need for your home-based business? Would a single-story floor plan without steps be best for your disability? Do you need widened hallways and doorways for wheelchair access?
The real estate experts at HomeGirls Property Solutions can help you to find an accessible home that accommodates your disability, as well as your small business. To jumpstart your search for a new home, you could also use websites like Accessible Properties and Barrier Free Home.
A Few Things to Consider
If you’re getting ready to launch your home-based small business, there are some other tasks you’ll need to complete in addition to creating your home office space. Firstly, you may choose to check your eligibility for becoming a disability-owned business enterprise (also known as a DOBE), or a veteran disability-owned business enterprise (V-DOBE). Service-disabled veteran disability-owned businesses enterprise (SDV-DOBE) certifications are also available.
Secondly, you’ll need to decide whether to structure your home-based small business as a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). LLCs, for instance, are easy to form online or by yourself — saving you money on attorney’s fees. Plus, they offer tax advantages, legal protection, and a flexible management structure. However, each state has its own set of LLC regulations, so be sure to review these before beginning the filing process.
After creating your accessible home office space, obtaining a DOBE certification, and choosing your business structure, you’ll be on your way to enjoying the perks of working from home. And with these accessible home office tips at your disposal, you’ll be just a few steps away from chasing the entrepreneurial dream and running your own small business!
Ready to search for a new home that accommodates your disability and home-based business? Contact the real estate professionals at HomeGirls Property Solutions to begin your search for an accessible home! 214-676-1085; info@homegirlsproperties.com
