Live online course- see attendance requirements for CE credit.
Cost: *Members $40.00 & Non-Members $65.00, 3 Clock Hours.
The accessible home market is an incredibly underserved and largely ignored marketplace in real estate today, even though there an estimated 49 million (1 in 5) people in the United States with a disability, and each disability also affects their family and friends. Additionally, an average 7,000 people will turn 65 every day from now through 2030 and they are living longer.
This course will demystify accessibility as it relates to real estate. You’ll receive practical information as we shed light on the impact accessible housing choices have on the seller and buyer side of a transaction. We’ll discuss what makes a non-accessible property adaptable or modifiable, and teach you how accessibility features can add value to a property. We’ll review the NWMLS Accessibility Input Sheet (Form 6B) from the listing and buyer’s agent perspective and give examples of both. Lastly, we’ll have a fun and open discussion around disability etiquette that will give you tips on positively interacting with people with disabilities.
Topics of Discussion:
- What is Disability?
- Why should Accessibility Matter to Me?
- What Does it Mean for Your Real Estate Business?
- How to List and Find Accessible Properties
- Working with Clients with a Disability
INSTRUCTOR BIOS:
Barry Long – Broker, Marketplace Sotheby’s International Realty
Barry is the first physically disabled, accessibility-focused real estate broker in Washington State. Using first-hand experience and knowledge of accessible housing features, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and The Fair Housing Act, Barry helps his clients find properties that suit their unique needs. In addition to being a realtor, Barry is a successful keynote speaker and trainer, with years of experience presenting on topics such as disability awareness and diversity and inclusion best practices. Barry was also the Accessibility Specialist and a voting member of the Washington Building Code Council. He was recently the Chairman of the Outreach Committee for Disability & Employment for the State of Washington.
Tom Minty – Broker, John L Scott, Inc.
Tom has been a Realtor for over 17 years. When he first began his real estate career, a close friend affected by Multiple Sclerosis ask him about finding ‘accessible’ homes. However, when he tried to use the tools from his Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS), Tom discovered that there was no consistent use of the only available MLS field of “Disabled Access”, and even less understanding from most Realtors as to what that meant and who it affected. Tom took it upon himself to try to change that and is now a Charter Member of the Northwest Universal Design Council, a second term member of the Seattle-King County Advisory Council for Aging and Disabilities, and a frequent speaker to building industry associations, educational institutions, governmental groups, non-profit organizations and civic clubs.
Together, Barry and Tom worked directly with the NWMLS to define and implement the accessibility criteria on the Form 1 Listing Input as well the accompanying Form 6B Accessibility Supplement.
IMPORTANT! Attendance requirements: Live online course will be presented via ZOOM Meeting. The link to join the meeting will be sent in the confirmation email. Students will need a device with two-way video and audio capabilities and a (free) Zoom account. To verify attendance, students must keep their camera on for the duration of the course and respond to live polls. Clock hour credit will only be given to students with their camera on, who are present and visible on their camera during the course, and who participate in course polls/chat. Please call 425-974-1011 with questions.