Category Archives: Buying a Home

When the state ban against same-sex marriage was ruled unconstitutional on January 23, many LGBT citizens in Alabama thought that they at last had equal rights.  The ruling was set to go into effect on February 9, and many planned to get married that day.  However, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore ordered county clerks not to issue marriage licenses, and 20 counties out of the 67 did not.  This was followed by a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court on March 3 that no probate judge could issue […]

Virginia is known for being the home state of many different presidents, for being one of the original 13 colonies, and for being the capital of the Confederate during the Civil War.  The state is also one that isn’t as friendly towards LGBT rights as many would like.  Fortunately, the state is moving towards being more accepting, a fight that is led by the state’s two Democratic Senators. Virginia was one of the first states to ever pass a legal amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage.  The Code of Virginia, which […]

What Items Can My Partner and I Expect to Remain in The Home We Are Considering Purchasing? There are many gray areas when it comes to determining exactly what should stay with the home and what may be removed by the sellers. In general, items that are fixed to the real estate must stay. Sellers may take any personal property that is not affixed to the property unless you have stipulated that it stays in a purchase agreement that both the seller and you and your partner, the purchasers, have […]

The Bible Belt of the U.S. is the term used to refer to states in the south-central and southeastern part of the country.  These states have an overwhelmingly large number of socially conservative religious people, and these evangelical Christians tend to play a large role in politics and society overall.  Church attendance is higher in this area than the national average.  The Bible Belt is generally defined as including all or parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, […]

Purchasing a home is an exciting time in your life. Submitting a winning bid on a foreclosed home that is being sold at an online auction that you and your partner really want to buy can be even more exciting. Before actually making your bid, there are some facts and some pitfalls that you should consider. How it Works When a home is foreclosed on, lenders may sale the home at auction to try to recoup its losses. Some lenders set minimum bids while others do not. Minimum bids may […]

Nevada is known for being the home of Las Vegas, where money is easy come, easy go, and it’s possible to get married by Elvis.  That’s why it’s somewhat surprising that the state didn’t allow same-sex marriages until 2014.  However, domestic partnerships have been legal since 2009.  While not truly equal, this was just one of the reasons gay and lesbian real estate agents suggested Nevada as a home for their LGBT clients looking to move. Las Vegas is probably going to be too much for some people.  The city […]

When same sex partners, or any other couple, purchase a home, there are certain types of insurance services that are important to purchase to protect you. If you obtain a mortgage to finance your home, the lender generally requires title and mortgage insurance. Below are types of home insurance that may be required. Note that laws in different states vary regarding the types of insurance that is required. Title Insurance A title is your deed of ownership of the home. Title insurance provides coverage to protect the lender, and the […]

Vermont is one of the smallest states in the country, and it’s also one of the least populous.  That means that even though it’s small in area, people aren’t packed on top of each other.  Real estate, especially real estate located in the suburbs or out away from major cities, often comes with a nice bit of land attached to it.  But due to its proximity to New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, trips to large cities take very little time.  It’s even possible to make a quick visit to […]

If you are having problems with noisy neighbors, there are steps that you can take to resolve the issue. Many times, the neighbors do not know that they are causing a disturbance and the first of the steps outlined below may resolve the issue. Document the Disturbance When your neighbors make too much noise, you should document the times and dates that it occurs. You should also keep a list all efforts that you make to resolve the problem, including keeping a copy of the letter or other documents, if […]

When purchasing a home, you will hear many different terms. When you make an offer, you will do so on what is usually a standard form that is called a purchase offer agreement. That is the document that outlines factors including the price you are willing to pay and any contingencies that you would like met. This document will not become a legal contract until you, your partner and the sellers sign it. Those who are looking to notarize their documents may consider searching for a notary near me online. […]