Category Archives: Buying a Home

When you’re working with a gay or lesbian realtor, they most likely know where all of the LGBT neighborhoods are.  But what if you don’t really want to live in a gay neighborhood?   One thing you and your realtor can do is look for signs that people in the area are allies or, in other cases, homophobic. Look for Bumper Stickers Check out the cars parks at other homes on the street.  Do you see any rainbow stickers or Human Rights Campaign equality stickers (a blue square with a yellow […]

Are you thinking about moving to Minnesota?  As any gay or lesbian realtor will tell you, the state is a nice, if somewhat chilly, place to live.  The winters can get very harsh, especially in the northern part of the state up by the Canadian border.  However, Minnesota has a lot going for it, and it has been a fairly welcoming place for members of the LGBT community. Same-Sex Activity Minnesota was originally formed under Wisconsin law, which included that state’s ban on sodomy, although it did not just apply […]

While LGBT people now have the right to marry in all 50 states, there are still plenty of places out there that are somewhat lacking in other rights.  While gay and lesbian realtors are sure to tell you about many of these issues, it’s up to you to decide if you want to move to one of these states or not.  Here are five states that you might want to avoid while looking for a new home or if your job asks you to transfer. Mississippi As one of the […]

Ever since a study done in 2001 on areas with high concentrations of LGBT homeowners and property values, gay and lesbian realtors have continued to notice that gayborhoods often have more expensive real estate.  This phenomenon continues today.  While it’s not always true, studies have shown that neighborhoods where a large number of LGBT people live tend to have overall above-average property values. Of course, this won’t always happen—a home won’t automatically increase in value just because a gay or lesbian couple moves in, nor is it always true for […]

Despite the fact that LGBT rights have taken a number of huge jumps forward in the past year, gay and lesbian citizens are still not fully protected under the law.  Employment and housing discrimination is still legal in some states, which is why it’s important for LGBT people to know how to handle discrimination when it occurs.  If you believe that you have been refused housing due to your orientation, you need to take action. What the Law Says Fair housing laws state that no one can discriminate based on […]

Buying your first home is a large undertaking that taxes you physically, emotionally, and (most of all) financially. It can be scary at first, but you can leave the experience with a fabulous piece of property that’s easily able to be resold if you choose. All you need is to conduct your research properly; pick the right location; and have a good realtor on your side. Money is the biggest hurdle for many first time home buyers. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of five great places in the U.S. that […]

On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling on the case of Obergefell v. Hodges.  This ruling gave gays and lesbians the right to marry in all states and struck down all current gay marriage bans.  While we may not realize exactly how this ruling affected the country for a few years, experts are already anticipating changes in a number of industries.  Those in the real estate industry have a few predictions for how same-sex marriage will affect the mortgage market. A reverse mortgage can help […]

When the Supreme Court handed down their landmark decision on June 26, 2015, that reversed the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Obergefell v. Hodges and effectively made same-sex marriage legal in all states, it affected more than just LGBT couples. It also affected the mortgage market in a number of ways. The first is that now same-sex couples can legally marry in any state, and those marriages are recognized throughout the U.S. This means that they now have all of the same rights as opposite-sex couples, including the right to […]

This blog is covered with helpful guides that cover every aspect of the buying process. However, it is primarily geared towards people who are already actively seeking homes or investment properties like the ones in turnkey real estate. ​If you are planning to invest in luxury properties, it is advisable to consult a real estate expert to guide you. You may also need the services of a real estate lawyer to protect your interest under state laws. But if you’re someone like a recent college grad or a long-term homeowner, […]

The business of real estate is a long-term game. Rushing and impatience can cause you to lose a couple grand on your closing costs because you didn’t wait for the perfect buyer. However, your life isn’t going to wait for your house to get sold. If you’ve found a new once-in-a-lifetime opportunity across the country, keeping your investment property in your current location could end up costing you more money and heartache than if you had just taken the price cut and sold it as quickly as you could. Here […]