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Property Portal Search: Accessibility & Inclusion

accessibility
Guy, a contact on LinkedIn, asked a thought-provoking question on a previous LinkedIn post, a 1250-character reply wasn't enough to do the subject justice. I wanted to explain why changes that make perfect sense can't be easily made by stakeholders in our industry, particularly regarding accessibility & consideration for disabled individuals.

Too many agents list homes without considering who'll be putting the keys in the front door as the new owners in a few weeks or months. The focus is often solely on the property & winning the instruction, with little thought given to their applicant register. Most agents have applicants in their CRM, but few have ever been trained to value property according to who they have on their mailing list.

Guy's scenario of considering access & ability should apply to every home sale. What makes a property feel like home to the person viewing it? In the way a hedge is perfect for blackbirds or a paint pot is perfect for robins to build their nests, every property is perfect for someone or can be made perfect for someone else.

Accessibility & inclusion aren't often considered by agents. When they do, they often avoid making the necessary changes to accommodate viewings for disabled individuals. This is often because there's no effective way to identify disabled applicants from portal traffic stats. As a result, many agents don't see the need to make adjustments, as the demand isn't immediately visible. It's important to note that 1 in 5 households have to consider disability, making this a significant portion of the market that's often overlooked.

It's not just agents who overlook proper consideration for ability & access; tech firms & portals are behind the curve too. One significant obstacle is that some portals prioritise their 70% profit margin & dividends to shareholders over accommodating necessary changes to improve accessibility. The industry needs to realise the value of the Purple Pound—a term many may not have heard of—which represents the spending power of disabled households.

With current tech, it's perfectly possible to make changes that accommodate the needs of differently-abled home buyers. However, the commitment to profit margins often overshadows these necessary adjustments.

Professional agents who consider their applicants' needs when valuing & listing property can make a significant difference. By integrating accessibility & inclusivity into our practices, we create a more equitable & effective market for everyone.

This is more than just a matter of profit; it's about genuinely serving all home buyers effectively. By understanding & addressing the needs of disabled individuals, we can transform properties into homes where they can live full lives, albeit differently from other applicants.

All that's holding back this paradigm change is a more enlightened attitude from key industry leaders.

Collaboration & a shared vision for accessibility can drive this change, ensuring everyone benefits from a more inclusive market.
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Monday, 07 October 2024
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