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  However, this act was written in 1968, so it’s fairly outdated.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 […]

Some people may find the idea odd—why would someone want to hire a gay or lesbian Realtor?  That doesn’t really have any bearing on how good of a real estate agent they are.  But there are many reasons why you might want to hire a gay realtor.  Of course, you do want to make sure they’re a competent agent before you do so.  Here are a few of the things an LGBT real estate agent can do for you. If […]

Just like many areas of life, the housing market is subject to trends.  If your home happens to have a feature that’s one of the hottest trends, it’s likely to sell very easily and for your asking price or even higher.  If it has a trend that’s out, it may be more difficult to sell.  Here are a few different home features that were hot for a time but have now cooled off.  Many are seen as luxuries in a […]

There are many lending institutions out there that will provide you with a loan that meets your needs, your budget, and your timetable.  However, there are also some unscrupulous lenders out there who will try to take advantage of you.  These lenders will target the elderly, those with credit problems, and those who don’t make a lot of money by tempting them with the prospect of home ownership.  However, as with anything that’s sounds too good, these loans always come […]

When many people think of buying a luxury home, they picture a mansion with a huge swimming pool and dozens of bathrooms. They may also hire a shower installation company to put an elegant shower in their bathroom. Today, luxury real estate has been redefined. Yes, many people still want the large mansion, but more and more people are looking at smaller properties that have specific appeal to them. To ensure that your new frameless glass shower remains in top […]

Selling your home is just the first part of the battle.  Now you’ve got to move!  But moving is more than just putting things in boxes and driving them to your new home.  To move with the least amount of stress and work, you need a plan.  Here are a few tips to help make your move easier. Ask your Realtor for Information – While your realtor may not be able to help you pack up your things, he or […]

As a seller, one of the most exciting things you can hear is that someone has made an offer on your house.  This is especially true if you’ve been on the market for several months without a lot of interest.  But once you’ve finished letting out that sigh of relief or jumping up and down, it’s time to actually take a look at the offer. Your agent will most likely want to meet in person to discuss the offer because […]