How a New Service Helps Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Buyers Navigate Real Estate

Written by:

Alejandra Rodriguez

Date:

02 Jun 2026

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For deaf and hard-of-hearing Americans, buying or selling a home has long meant navigating a process designed without them in mind, from phone-heavy communication with lenders to fast-moving negotiations where nuance gets lost. A service called Equal Access Real Estate Services, known as E.A.R.S., is working to close that gap by connecting deaf clients with agents, lenders, and interpreters who are equipped to support them at every stage of a transaction.

After a feature in a National Association of Realtors publication earlier this year, the service has seen a surge in interest, with roughly 20 active client referrals now in process nationwide.

E.A.R.S. was co-founded by Emily Flemer and Sarah Jo Pharo, both nationally certified ASL interpreters with decades of experience. The premise is straightforward: deaf and hard-of-hearing buyers and sellers deserve the same access to homeownership as everyone else. The service now operates across all 50 states, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and parts of Canada.

What the Service Actually Does

E.A.R.S. is not a listing platform or a lender. It functions as a matching and support service, pairing deaf clients with vetted real estate professionals based on their communication needs and location.

When a client reaches out, E.A.R.S. draws from a database of agents and lenders across the country. The matching works in tiers: priority goes to agents who are deaf themselves; second, agents fluent in ASL, often CODAs, or children of deaf adults; third, hearing agents who have received cultural training and are paired with a qualified, licensed interpreter for the transaction. “We give them those options, they choose what they’d like to have, and we pair them together,” Flemer said.

Lenders in the network are also vetted for ASL fluency, so the entire process, from pre-approval to closing, can proceed without communication gaps.

Who It Serves

The most obvious audience is deaf and hard-of-hearing buyers and sellers who have struggled to find agents equipped to work with them. But the reach extends further. Hearing family members helping a deaf relative purchase a home, or agents who’ve encountered a deaf client and don’t know how to proceed, can also connect with E.A.R.S. for guidance.

A recent case in Charlotte illustrates the impact. A buyer with excellent credit and stable income had rented for eight years because she assumed homeownership wasn’t accessible to her. E.A.R.S. connected her with an ASL-fluent lender, got her pre-approved, matched her with a local agent, and provided interpreters, in person and via video, at every step. She closed on her first home and now pays less monthly than she did in rent.

“There are so many options out there that people don’t realize,” Pharo said.

How the Process Works

Buyers or sellers can reach E.A.R.S. through the company’s social media platforms or direct outreach. From there, clients share their location and goals, whether buying, selling, or seeking pre-approval. E.A.R.S. searches its database for the best match based on the client’s communication preferences, introduces the client to their agent, and arranges interpreter support as needed at each stage. We’re available throughout for questions, document clarification, and inspection reviews. Interpreter support continues through closing and, when necessary, beyond.

Communication preferences vary widely. Some clients prefer in-person interpreters; others are comfortable with video relay. E.A.R.S. asks at the start and builds the support structure around the answer. “No two clients are alike in real estate, and that applies to communication,” Flemer noted.

What to Know Before You Start

Agent availability varies by location. In some areas, a deaf or ASL-fluent agent may not be available, meaning the third-tier option, a hearing agent paired with a qualified interpreter, becomes the match. That still constitutes a fully supported transaction, but it’s worth understanding going in.

Interpreter qualifications also matter more than most people realize. In certain states, real estate transactions are classified as legal proceedings for interpreting purposes, requiring interpreters to hold specific state licensure beyond standard certification. E.A.R.S. handles this vetting internally, but anyone arranging an interpreter outside the network should carefully verify credentials.

Where Things Stand

Since the NAR feature was published, several brokerages that previously declined to engage with E.A.R.S. have begun reaching out. The company is finalizing formal support agreements with some of them, a notable shift from the resistance the team encountered at launch. Speaking engagements and brokerage training programs are also expanding.

For deaf buyers and sellers who have waited for the process to meet their needs, access is widening. “We want to make sure that is an equal access transaction for both sides,” Flemer said.

About the Experts: Emily Flemer and Sarah Jo Pharo are nationally certified ASL interpreters and co-founders of Equal Access Real Estate Services (E.A.R.S.), a matching and support service connecting deaf and hard-of-hearing buyers and sellers with vetted real estate professionals across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and parts of Canada.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. The views and opinions expressed herein reflect those of the individuals quoted and do not represent an endorsement of any company, product, or service mentioned. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified professionals before making any investment decisions.