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It might seem odd to be thinking about taxes in the fall, but for LGBT people who are considering buying a home, it’s important to understand how taxes affect you before April 15.  Fortunately, things have become more simplified since August of 2013 when the IRS ruled that all legally married same-sex couples would be put on equal footing with opposite-sex couples when it comes to federal taxes.  This ruling held for all married same-sex couples even if they currently lived in states that banned gay marriage.  However, because they’ve […]

One of the most difficult aspects of anyone’s life, no matter what orientation they identify as, is handling estate planning.  The idea of dealing with your partner’s death is not a pleasant thought, and because of that, a number of couples put off preparing their wills or even discussing estate planning at all.  That can lead to a number of problems when one spouse dies, especially for LGBT couples in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage or any type of domestic partner benefits. Those who are not able […]

Because both of your credit scores will be used by the lender when you apply for a mortgage together, one partner with bad credit could result in denial of your loan application or an offer to lend with a higher interest rate. Following are some tips for dealing with bad credit when buying a home with your partner. 1. Under the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, FCRA, nationwide credit reporting agencies must provide individuals with a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months. Those agencies include Equifax, […]

A condominium, commonly referred to as a condo, is a large building that is divided into single family units that are sold individually. Ownership includes shared community property such as the parking lot, hallway, elevator and the central heat and air conditioning unit. If you are looking for a condo, you will be happy to know Mapletree & Keppelland to launch a waterfront development called The Reef at King’s Dock in 2020/2021 Before purchasing one of the Calder Park Condominiums, you should do some research so that you understand exactly […]

If you’re purchasing real estate with your partner, you may be unprepared for the many different laws concerning who actually owns the property and how things are divided.  That’s because things differ from state to state.  However, most state laws regarding same-sex couples and real estate can be divided into four categories depending on what the state offers. Marriage In states where same-sex marriage is recognized, same-sex couples are treated exactly the same as opposite-sex couples.  Married LGBT couples take title of the purchased property jointly and have all of […]

Same sex unmarried couples face a different set of legal issues than married couples. Failing to plan for the future is the number one mistake that partners make. Some of the home buying pitfalls for same sex unmarried couples are outlined below. 1. Consider putting both of your names on the deed. While it may be tempting to purchase a home with only one of your names on the deed, the partner’s name that is left off will a legal right to the home. This is true even if that […]

Buying rental property with your friends is a business deal and, as with any business deal, there are issues that should be considered before taking that step. Below are 5 keys to buying rental property with friends. 1. Be sure that your friends can be relied on. Entering into a partnership with friends who are not dependable or do not follow through with promises may not be your best choice for purchasing a rental home with. 2. Discuss how much you can collectively afford to spend on a rental property […]

When you’re a same-sex couple and you’re jointly owning property and sharing finances, things aren’t always clear-cut or easy.  Lately, it seems like the laws are changing almost every day—the bans on gay marriage are being struck down, but then they’re immediately given a stay pending a review by a higher court.  This makes it very unclear whether things have actually changed or not.  One area in which many LGBT couples are confused is that of mortgage tax deduction. Married couples or a single person with a mortgage can deduct […]

When a real estate market is fast paced, homes sell quickly and buyers must make swift decisions to avoid losing a home that they have their heart set on purchasing. Following are 6 tips for buying in a fast paced market. 1. Know exactly what you are looking for before you start your search so that you will know you found it as soon as you see it. Sit down and make a list of must-haves, then be prepared to overlook less important aspects of a home if it fits […]

Starting in the 1970s, many LGBT individuals began moving into the same areas.  These neighborhoods, which were also often home to gay bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and other businesses, became known as gayborhoods, gay ghettos, gay districts, or gay villages.  Some of the most well-known examples of these gay districts include the Castro area of San Francisco, the Soho district in London, and the Dupont Circle area of Washington D.C.  Many larger cities used to have very active gayborhoods.  However, today the trend seems to be moving away from these defined […]