Crohn's & Real Estate: Look for a Home that Makes Life Easier, Not Harder

So far, I've purchased six homes in five states. The most important thing I've learned as a patient with Crohn's disease is to make sure the house I select makes my life easier, not more complicated.

When signing on the dotted line for the first two properties, I didn't realize I had this illness, although I had suffered from some unknown condition for years. We closed on the third property, which had a Tucson address, when my daughter was two months old and almost exactly two weeks after a gastroenterologist finally determined I suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Over the years, I've owned a vintage ranch house with a pool, a large colonial, my present 1,200-square-foot townhouse and a few houses in the middle. Two of the homes were custom houses built for us. Here's what I've learned is most important to consider when buying a new house:

Real estate agent: Most of us use one, even when building a home. A good agent will listen to your list of wants in a home and help you find the ideal property. A mediocre one will nod and do little. And a totally ineffective one will try to talk you out of many of the desired features you named; run, not walk if you encounter this person.

Location, location: For a Crohn's patient, it's everything. You should ask yourself how long your commute will be if you're working outside the home. Is it worth passing yawning cows every morning to drive an hour each direction? If you're determined to use public transportation, you probably won't find any near the cows. And if you do, you probably won't find very many strategically located restrooms along the way. If you have children, are there any parks or recreational areas nearby? A neighborhood pool?

Ease of maintenance: Crohn's patients typically tire easily. Let's face it, life for us is a series of ups and downs, depending on disease activity. Do you really want to keep up a three-level house plus basement that tops 4,000 square feet? An acre lot with 22 rose bushes to prune? Who will clean this monument to money when you're living in the bathroom? You also need to decide whether it will be easier for you to maintain a newly built house or a pre-owned home that's new to you. If you're not the first owner, consider asking that the seller provide you with a home warranty. For both new and pre-owned residences, make sure to do a detailed inspection and list in writing any deficiencies. Also get a list of when and how any problems will be corrected.

Affordability: Just because you can qualify for a $400,000 mortgage doesn't mean that you should get one. As someone with an incurable condition that flares from time to time, you must consider what will happen if you can't work for a while. Most individuals with Crohn's disease cannot purchase disability income insurance. Will you opt for mortgage protection insurance? How much of a loan could your family reasonably handle if you're out of work for an extended period? In calculating your potential expenses, be sure to figure in the cost of insurance, dues you'll owe to any homeowners' association (HOA) and any real estate taxes.

Layout: There is no reason why a person with Crohn's disease shouldn't be able to purchase a home that appeals to his or her tastes. The key is to be practical at the same time. You will need places in your home other than a master bedroom where you can go horizontal to rest. If your children need fairly constant supervision, you'll want a layout that allows you to keep an eye on them without standing for hours on end. You should be able to visualize a floor plan and how it can make your life easier, not more tiring. For example, are there restrooms on each floor of an older home? If more than one storey, does the house have a laundry chute?

Garage or carport: My small townhouse is relatively economical for two people. However, the one thing I would change about it if I could is adding a garage or at least a carport. Like many individuals with Crohn's, I have arthritis and periodic joint problems. Chipping that ice off the windshield in winter is really tough.

Pet friendliness: If you own one or more pets, you need to consider whether each property will make caring for them easier or harder than you'd like it to be. For example, are there decent walks or paths on which to walk your dog? Is the yard fenced?