The Platinum Group, REALTORS®Weldon HobbsColorado Springs | REALTOR®
Veteran | USAFA
Buying a Home

How do I find a single-level or accessible home in Colorado Springs?

ByWeldon HobbsTeam Hobbs RealtyPublished Last reviewed

Short answer: Start by defining what you need on the main floor, then search for those features rather than a label. A true single-level home lets you do all your daily living on one floor: bedroom, full bathroom with a shower you can walk into, kitchen, and laundry. In Colorado Springs, a ranch-style home may also have a basement, and layouts vary with when the neighborhood was built, so check each floor plan, the entry steps, and the laundry location in person.

Start with what you need on one level

It starts with an interview so I understand what you want. If you say a ranch style, we set up a search for that. But "single-level" can mean different things, so it helps to be specific:

  • Which rooms must be on the main floor? At minimum, most people want the primary bedroom, a full bathroom, the kitchen, and the laundry.
  • What else? A second bedroom, an office, or space for a hobby.
  • How do you get in? From the garage and the front door, how many steps are there?

I worked with clients who wanted two bedrooms and an office on the main level. The office was key. The second bedroom was there so that if one of them needed medical care, or they had guests, everyone could be on the same level. The home still had bedrooms and a recreation area downstairs, but in their plan that was bonus space.

A useful test from my video on how your house supports aging well: picture six weeks after a knee replacement, a broken ankle, or an illness. Could you live entirely on the main floor? That means a room that works as a bedroom, a full bathroom close by with a shower you can enter without stepping over a tub wall, laundry you can reach without stairs, and an entrance without steps. "If I ever need to, I'll just live on the main level" is the most common plan I hear, and in many houses it isn't really a plan until you've walked through it.

A ranch style doesn't always mean one-level living

Ideally, with a ranch style, all your living can be done on the main floor, and most are designed that way. But even today, some still put the washer and dryer downstairs, so that's something we watch out for.

Ranch-style homes also vary depending on when the neighborhood was established. Floor plans, bathroom layouts, entry steps, and basement use change from one era of building to another. That's why it helps to look across different areas instead of assuming every ranch is the same.

What to check when you tour a home

These are objective features to look at in any home, whatever its style:

  • Entry: Is there at least one way in without steps, including from the garage? Is the driveway steep?
  • Bathroom: Is there a full bath on the main floor, and can you walk into the shower rather than stepping over a tub? Is there space and solid wall for grab bars later?
  • Laundry: Is it on the main floor?
  • Pathways and doorways: Could two people pass each other in the hallways? Would a walker fit through the doors without moving furniture?
  • Handles and reach: Lever door handles, and everyday storage between shoulder and knee height, are easier than round knobs and high or low cabinets.
  • Lighting: Is the route from the bedroom to the bathroom easy to light at night? Are stairs lit at the top and the bottom?
  • Stairs that remain: If the home has a basement, are there sturdy railings, and are the stairs needed for anything you do every day?

Some of these are easy to change later. Others, like the entry grade or the location of the only full bathroom, are much harder, so they matter more when choosing a home.

How to search for it

Listing labels aren't always reliable. A home called a ranch may put the laundry downstairs, and a two-story may have a main-floor primary suite that works just as well. I search for the features you need, such as a main-level primary bedroom and main-level laundry, and then confirm them from the floor plan and in person.

Where to search is your decision, based on the things you define: the price range, commute, proximity to the people and places you name (family, medical care, activities), lot size, HOA or no HOA, and the full monthly cost. See what to prioritize when choosing where to live. If you're also considering an age-restricted community, see what to know before buying in a 55+ community.

Colorado Springs and El Paso County considerations

  • Check the permit history. If a home has a finished basement, a converted main-floor room, or a remodeled bathroom, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department's permit records can be searched by address. Unpermitted work can surface during a sale and may require permits and inspections to correct.
  • Plan for changes with permits. Most remodeling beyond cosmetic updates, including structural, plumbing, and electrical changes, requires a permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. If the right home needs a walk-in shower or a new entry, factor the permit and contractor into the budget.
  • Think about winter. Snow and ice make exterior steps and steep driveways harder to manage, so look at the entry the way you'd use it in January.

If the right home isn't on the market

You may not find every feature in one home. The choice is often between a home that's closer to ready and one you'd modify, such as converting a main-floor room or updating a bathroom. See what home modifications make aging in place realistic. If you're weighing staying in your current home against moving, see whether to downsize or stay.

What could change the answer

  • Your health and plans. What works today may need to work differently in five or ten years; plan for the likely next step, not only today.
  • What's for sale. The number of single-level homes on the market changes, so flexibility on one or two features can widen your options.
  • Modification costs. Some changes are simple; others, like moving a bathroom, can be expensive and need permits.

When to talk with a professional

  • A home inspector to evaluate the home's condition, including stairs, railings, and bathrooms.
  • An occupational therapist to assess what features would support your specific needs at home.
  • A licensed contractor to estimate modifications before you buy, and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department for permit questions.
  • A real estate agent to search by the features you need and check floor plans before you tour.

If you're looking for a home where you can do all your living on one floor, let's talk about what you need. I'll start by understanding what matters most to you, then set up a search built around it and help you check each home before you commit. If you're moving to another state to be closer to family, I can help you find and personally vet a real estate professional there.

About the author

Weldon Hobbs is a Colorado Springs REALTOR® and co-founder of Team Hobbs Realty. He is a member of The Platinum Group, REALTORS®, Colorado Springs' #1 independent brokerage, which pairs deep local expertise with premium marketing exposure. A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and retired Air Force veteran, he and his family made more than 10 military moves. Since 2006, he and his wife, Kristen, have bought and sold their own homes, managed a portfolio of rental properties, and guided others through their own real estate decisions. He has also helped both family members and clients downsize, where the decisions are often complex and the process can feel overwhelming. Drawing on his background as a PMP® (Project Management Professional), he helps people break those decisions into clear, manageable steps.

Since beginning his real estate career, he has ranked in the top 7% by sales volume among the more than 4,000 members of the Pikes Peak Association of REALTORS®. He works with military families, seniors and downsizing clients, luxury and premium home sellers, and people relocating to Colorado Springs. He developed the Life → Wealth → Real Estate™ method, hosts the national YouTube channel Life & Real Estate Without Regret, and holds an MBA along with the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist®), MRP (Military Relocation Professional), and Certified Financial Coach credentials. More about Weldon

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