For several months, a nurse and her accountant husband tried in vain to sell their yellow stucco house in an upscale neighborhood. But it was only after their real estate agent began promoting the home's senior-friendly features -- like its first-floor master suite -- that the place finally sold.

After their agent's change in marketing strategy, the couple was able to beat out rival sellers in their community. Given the aging population -- coupled with a shortage of senior-friendly houses in many areas -- the agent was wise to target the older-buyer market, says Sid Davis, a real estate broker and author of "A Survival Guide to Selling a Home."

"It's no secret our nation has an increasing number of older folks, including a lot of boomers with chronic health conditions and bad knees. And many older people want property that's easily accessible -- where they can live comfortably without the pain of having to scale stairs or overcome other barriers to mobility," Davis says.

Granted, one-level apartment-style condos are widely available in numerous communities. But according to Davis, many seniors who've spent their adult lives in detached suburban housing have an intense aversion to apartment living.

"They say they'd feel trapped if they had to live in a condo," he says.

Dorcas Helfant, a real estate broker and former president of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org), says some seniors who try apartment living later reverse course, heading back to a traditional detached house.

"We've had people who've come out of a high-rise condo after trying it for just one year. A single-family house is part of their heritage, and that's where they feel at ease," Helfant says.

Some seniors who try apartment living miss the privacy of a detached house.

"They don't want to have to get in an elevator and see other people just to get outside for a walk. They want more personal space and a little land around them, including a small garden," says Helfant.

Are you seeking to sell a detached house with features that would make it suitable for older buyers or people with disabilities? And do you and your listing agent believe such features are in high demand among buyers in your community? If so, these few pointers might be helpful:

-- Assess the market supply of senior-friendly houses in your area.

A number of suburban areas where tracts of ranch-style homes were built during the decades after World War II are still well stocked with these one-level properties, many of which have been expanded and updated.

But as the cost of buildable land has risen in recent years, many fewer one-level houses have been constructed, says John Rygiol, a real estate broker affiliated with the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (www.naeba.org).

"Except where land is cheap and plentiful, most builders are stacking houses two and three stories high," says Rygiol, who notes that many of his home-buying clients find it challenging to locate a single-level house that meets their needs.

Davis says that senior-friendly homes in areas where such domiciles are in short supply could fetch a premium price of up to 10 percent more than homes of similar square footage that lack these features.

But he cautions sellers to make sure that the supply-demand ratio is in their favor before putting a premium price tag on their property.

-- Consider adapting your house to make it more appealing to seniors.

To cater to the burgeoning senior market, some sellers are tempted to renovate their houses to make them more user-friendly. For example, they might consider adding a first-floor master suite. But Davis says such a major investment is usually a mistake -- unless you intend to enjoy the improvement for several years before you move.

"Spending too much on a pre-sale basis is overkill. Normally you can't expect to get any more than 60 percent back for a major addition when you sell," he says.

Still, there are less expensive steps that could be justified by sellers who have the senior market in mind. For example, you might wish to replace shag carpet with laminate flooring to make your rooms easier to navigate by those in wheelchairs.

Also, home sellers who are already planning to redo a kitchen might want to incorporate some easy-to-use features such as low kitchen cabinets and countertops, as well as wide doorways.

"Many people don't wait until they have health problems or need a wheelchair to think about buying a more accessible house. Once they hit their early 60s, they start preparing for their future needs," Davis says.

-- Highlight your home's senior-friendly features to the public.

Any home placed on the Multiple Listing Service can be easily tagged by a listing agent to reflect its senior-friendly features. Because of this, any agent searching on behalf of senior buyers can do a computer check that will locate nearly all the available one-level homes in a neighborhood, as well as those with a first-floor master suite.

But, as Helfant says, the listing agent for a senior-friendly house can do more than just identifying its features through the MLS. Ask your agent to highlight your home's special features through all forms of advertising, including newspapers, Internet and social media.

"These days homebuyers of all ages, including seniors, use many means to collect information about homes that interest them. In fact, by the time they drive up for a visit to a property, they often know more than the agent does about the house," Helfant says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Do you find yourself in the position of having to buy a house and a car at the same time, due to a major life change?

If so, to avoid overspending, you'll want to make the most prudent and cost-saving choices on your car purchase. That way you'll maximize your chances of obtaining the best possible home, according Sid Davis, a real estate broker and author of "A Survival Guide for Buying a Home."

"Nowadays, those who make a strategic home purchase in a strong neighborhood can, at the minimum, expect that the property won't go down in value. And over time, it could appreciate. However, a car isn't an investment because it's bound to depreciate," Davis says.

Should homebuyers who are also buying a car choose a new vehicle or a used one? If possible, should they try to pay cash for the car or finance it? How can they determine the best choice in terms of safety, reliability and fuel economy?

"Remember, if you buy a very expensive car with a big car loan, that could negatively impact your chances to buy the home you want or to get a mortgage. Lenders hate seeing a huge car loan popping up on a borrower's credit report," Davis says.

Ideally, homebuyers who also need a car should buy an inexpensive one and pay cash -- assuming they have sufficient savings to do so, he says.

Here are a few tips for wannabe homebuyers who also need a vehicle:

-- Look for a great deal on a late model used car.

The very idea of buying a used car makes many people nervous. After all, it can be risky to purchase one without the assurances that come with a new vehicle. But if you do your research, over time the savings from buying used can be significant, says Jeff Bartlett, deputy editor for autos at Consumer Reports magazine.

"The greatest depreciation for a brand-new car comes in the first three years -- when new cars typically lose 35 to 50 percent of their value," Bartlett says.

-- Research the reliability ratings for the vehicles you're considering.

Drawing on reader surveys, Consumer Reports publishes annual data on the reliability of numerous used car models. The Used Car Buying Guide is available in either the print edition or online at www.consumerreports.org.

"We believe in making reliability a major factor when you buy a car," Bartlett says.

For those in the throes of buying a home and a car simultaneously, it can be tempting to consider only immediate needs. But Bartlett urges you to think longer-term and consider upkeep and repair costs, as well as fuel economy.

For information on fuel economy ratings, go to the website of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.fueleconomy.gov.

-- Get a clear sense for used car prices before you shop.

Bartlett says all used car purchasers should thoroughly research values before heading out to look at cars. That way you stand a better chance of avoiding an above-market price.

One widely recommended source on car values is AutoTrader.com, a website for consumers seeking to buy or sell vehicles (www.autotrader.com). Another source to consider is Edmunds, which provides extensive car pricing data, along with vehicle reviews (www.edmunds.com).

-- Shop for cars with a businesslike attitude.

Eric Cluskey, a former car dealer and author of the "Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Used Car," says those shopping for a used vehicle are in a stronger bargaining position if they maintain emotional neutrality.

"Once the dealers know you're in love with a given car, you lose your edge in negotiations. Dealers hate it when you hide your emotions, but that's what you've got to do to get the best price," Cluskey says.

-- Have any used car you're considering checked out by a mechanic.

"Your best secret weapon is hiring an independent mechanic," Bartlett says.

Many dealers will allow you to take a used vehicle off the lot to a service station to have it assessed. But you might also choose to pay a mechanic to check out the car on the dealer's lot.

Consumers are increasingly turning to independent car inspection services that will go to any location, including a dealer's lot, says Andrew Dabbs, the founder of one such service called Lemon Squad (www.lemonsquad.com).

"The advantage of our type of service is we don't care whether you buy the car. Unlike your neighborhood service station, we don't have any repairs to sell you," Dabbs says.

Besides the Lemon Squad, two other companies in the car inspection field include: Aim Mobile Inspections (www.aimmobileinspections.com), and Car Chex (www.carchex.com).

Before hiring any car inspection service, consumer advocates advise you to search for possible complaints about the company through your local government consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).

-- Shop for safety as well as price and reliability.

Obviously, all used car buyers should make safety a top consideration. Bartlett recommends you pick a vehicle new enough to have state-of-the-art safety gear, including front and side air bags, as well as electronic stability control. ESC is an especially important feature on sport utility vehicles.

You should also look at comparative crash test ratings available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.safercar.gov) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org).

-- Give more thought to home buying than car buying.

Clearly, no one should buy a car -- new or used --without a substantial amount of research. But Davis, the real estate broker, says those buying both a car and a home simultaneously should realize they'll need to pay more attention to the real estate.

"Remember, a car is a commodity. At any one time, for example, there are probably a few thousand 2010 Ford Explorers for sale in your region. But every home is unique in terms of features, condition and location within a neighborhood. So in the long run you'll find that every additional hour you spend will likely prove more rewarding," he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Many 20-somethings are understandably fearful about buying a home. After all, everyone seems to know someone who's had a house taken away through foreclosure. Yet despite that scary image, many young adults remain highly motivated to acquire properties of their own.

"As Americans, the desire for homeownership is practically written into our DNA. A house still represents a badge of success -- the trophy you get when you finally grow up," says Jim Blankenship, a veteran financial planner who's advised numerous young clients on their real estate plans.

At a time when mortgage rates are low and home prices are affordable, he says, an increasing number of young people are doing the math and are seeing homeownership as a viable alternative to renting. The steadily rising rents in many metropolitan areas add to their motivation.

"If you plan to stay in the same place for five to seven years, this could be a really good time to buy," says Blankenship, who's affiliated with the Garrett Planning Network, which represents fee-only planners throughout the country (www.garrettplanning.com).

However, as he notes, many young, wannabe homebuyers face financial hurdles. Student debt combined with stringent mortgage standards represent serious barriers that must be overcome. Thus, many 20-somethings must reposition their financial lives to reach homeownership.

"To afford a home and qualify for a mortgage, sacrifice is often necessary," Blankenship says.

Is homeownership your top financial priority? If so, you may wish to consider taking one or more of these steps:

-- Reduce your debts by generating extra income.

As the Federal Reserve reported recently, total consumer debt in America declined slightly in recent months. But student loan debt continues to soar, and now tops $900 billion.

For anyone seeking to make financial progress, cutting debt -- including credit card balances -- is an absolute must.

Unfortunately, many 20-somethings make only enough money to meet their current living costs. They're limited in their capacity to pay off debt or generate savings for a down payment. Given this reality, Blankenship recommends that young people consider augmenting their income.

"Think about taking a second job. Or try to get overtime at your regular job, assuming overtime is available," he says.

He urges clients who've accumulated too much debt to think positively about changing their financial habits rather than dwell on how they ran up so much debt in the past.

-- Give up plans for a big wedding in favor of money for a home.

Kristin Meador, a real estate broker who often works with young buyers, wrote a book designed to help clients save substantial amounts on their wedding costs. It's called "How to Have a Wedding Without Spending a Dime: Or at Least Very Little."

The book grew out of money-saving strategies Meador developed while helping relatives and friends stage their weddings. It provides pointers on how to cut costs for a range of wedding-related expenses -- from invitations to rings to the reception and honeymoon.

"When you're trying to save for a house, it makes no sense to spend $500 or more for a wedding dress," Meador says.

Her book itemizes a number of ways to hold an inexpensive yet tasteful wedding, including having the reception at a lovely local park or community center rather than a swank hotel.

"Buying a home has long-term benefits that last far beyond your wedding day," Meador says.

The expense of an average wedding now tops $25,000 --funds Meador believes would be better spent on a home, assuming the property is carefully selected.

"A lot of parents with money to help their grown kids would rather their funds go toward a home than a fancy wedding," she says.

-- Cut discretionary expenses.

Most 20-somethings who live in rental units are very sensitive to their monthly housing costs. But they're typically less aware of how much money they're spending to eat out at restaurants and on social activities, Blankenship says.

Young professionals may also spend what he calls "shocking sums" on clothes, as well as entertainment. He recommends that would-be homebuyers comb through a recent month's worth of spending to realize where they could cut back.

"I recommend you look closely at your cable bills to see if you really need all those movie channels. Also, look at that fitness club membership you never use and consider taking bag lunches to work," Blankenship says.

-- Sell a car and watch your savings grow.

A new or nearly new car is often the first major purchase for many young adults. And usually the purchase is financed with a hefty loan. But mortgage lenders often frown at the sight of a prospective homebuyer driving up in a late-model vehicle.

"Lenders know that a couple who's financing one or more cars will likely find it tougher to qualify for a home loan," Blankenship says.

Even if you drive an older vehicle and have no car loan, chances are you're paying a substantial amount for car insurance and repairs, not to mention gas.

Blankenship says it's a wise idea for young couples bent on homeownership to ponder the idea of selling one vehicle. Consider public transportation or carpooling as an alternative to commuting alone.

-- Don't rule out a temporary arrangement to share housing.

Moving in with family members for a year or so could help you cut living costs dramatically and save for a down payment.

Beyond family arrangements, another way to find a similar money-saving housing swap is to go through a co-housing service. You can locate such a service in your area through the National Shared Housing Resource Center (www.nationalsharedhousing.org).

Meador says she's worked with many young buyers who've built up substantial savings for a down payment through a housing-for-services swap.

"Shared housing was the ticket that ultimately let them reach the dream of owning their own place," she says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)