Texas may not seem like a place a LGBT person would want to move, but you’d actually be surprised at how amazingly different some parts of the state are.  While Texas has certainly earned its reputation as a very conservative state, the three largest metro areas in Texas are very liberal.  Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio all have thriving gay communities.  In fact, Dallas is home to one of the largest LGBT communities in the country. One of the signs […]

Are you ready to move to Chicago?  There are a number of different LGBT neighborhoods in the city, and Chicago is quite accepting of those with different lifestyles.  This diverse city welcomes everyone, which is why while some LGBT people do move into “gay ghettos,” many simply find a neighborhood in Chicago that they love regardless of who else lives in the area.  However, if you want to live in a gay neighborhood, here are some of the most famous […]

San Francisco—the gay Mecca.  Almost everyone in the LGBT community visits the city at least once in their lifetime.  Many want to move to San Francisco because they feel like they will be able to express themselves in the city without any threat of violence.  However, while a lot of people are geared up to move, their dreams come crashing down when they see some of the price tags that accompany homes in the area.  San Francisco isn’t cheap, especially […]

When a married opposite-sex couple goes into a financial institution to get a mortgage, it’s automatically assumed they will both be on the loan.  However, when a same-sex couple applies for a loan, that’s not always the case.  In fact, even in states where gay marriage is legal, a lender may not immediately realize that a same-sex couple is applying as a couple. There really isn’t a huge advantage to being married or applying as two single individuals.  However, when […]

Are you looking for a great new place to live?  While everyone knows that San Francisco and New York City are gay and lesbian havens, few people have heard about some of these up and coming gay neighborhoods.  They’re some of the most popular new places for those in the LGBT community to live, and many of them are quite affordable. The first of these up and coming neighborhoods is Hilltop, located in Tacoma, Washington.  Hilltop is full of older […]

There are a lot of different questions you might ask your realtor when looking at properties, but having a LGBT realtor on hand means you can ask many questions about the legalities regarding same-sex couple homeownership and about the local culture.  While searching online or talking to other people can give you an idea of how you might fit into your neighborhood, realtors often have information about schools, doctors, and other areas you may need to explore if you’re moving […]

The Federal Fair Housing Act outlines all of the ways in which a landlord, seller, or financial institution may not discriminate against tenants or those looking to purchase a home.  However, this act was written in 1968, so it’s fairly outdated.  It prohibits any discrimination based on color, race, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and familial status, but it says nothing about sexual orientation.  The act hasn’t been amended since 1990, and while attempts have been made to get orientation […]

If asked what their gay and lesbian clients want in a home, many realtors will probably list some of the things that any buyer, no matter of his or her orientation, wants: a nice home, natural lighting, hardwood floors, high ceilings, and a good sized yard.  While it’s true that every buyer is going to want some of the same things, there are a few unique features that many LGBT buyers look for.  Here are a few of them. The […]

If you’re getting ready to move, you’re probably in one of two situations: either you’re moving first and then finding a job in the area, or you’re moving for a job or some other reason that doesn’t give you a chance to pick out your new home city.  If you don’t really have a choice in where you’re moving, you may end up in an area that’s less than LGBT-friendly.  If you find yourself in a fairly conservative city, know […]

Most people are familiar with real estate agents who specialize.  Some work only in a certain area or neighborhood, while others specialize in historic houses or new buildings.  But lately, a new type of specialized realtor has appeared: the gay and lesbian real estate agent.  These realtors work primarily with members of the LGBT community in helping them find their dream house or sell their current property.  Some people may wonder why realtors are choosing to focus on this certain […]