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 you’re looking for an area that is LGBT family friendly, a gay or lesbian real estate agent is probably the best person to ask. They know which businesses are more gay-friendly than others, and they have an idea of which neighborhoods are popular with gays and lesbians. They may also know which schools are more open to students with gay parents and which employers offer domestic partner benefits. They can tell you where most of the gay bars, clubs, and other businesses are located. This can be very helpful, especially if you’re new to the area.
Some LGBT realtors will also keep an eye on what properties are available in the gay neighborhoods and recommend them to their gay and lesbian clients. They can also point out areas where they feel that LGBT people may not want to live due to several issues, including safety.
Real estate agents also have contacts with many other businesses, including movers, builders, roofers, maintenance people, landscapers, and more. They can connect you with LGBT-owned businesses for just about anything you need. This can be very helpful if you need work done on the property and want to support local gay and lesbian-owned businesses.
When working with a realtor, it’s important that you trust him or her. You’re going to be asking this person to help you make what is most likely the single largest purchase you’ll ever make. If you’re not comfortable around your realtor, it can throw off the entire process. Having a gay or lesbian realtor can put you more at ease, especially if you want to ask them questions about gay neighborhoods. You don’t have to be afraid that they’re judging you and your partner, nor do you have to appear to be roommates or friends looking to share expenses.
Again, of course, you don’t want to hire a LGBT realtor just because of their sexuality. However, if it’s between several top notch realtors, you certainly want to hire the one you’re the most comfortable with.