A lot of people retire to Florida so they can enjoy the state’s warm weather and gorgeous beaches.  But even if you’re not retirement age, you might still want to move to the Sunshine State, especially if you’re a member of the LGBT community.  Florida has a number of large LGBT neighborhoods, and many of the cities are very gay friendly. Fort Lauderdale is probably the top LGBT city in the state.  Surveys consistently show that it has over 150 […]

In our previous articles, we noted that LGBT individuals and couples had spread throughout cities including Minneapolis, Chicago and Phoenix rather than staying in designated LGBT neighborhoods. Since those articles were published, Amin Ghaziani released a book “There Goes the Gayborhood” that includes his research into LGBT demographics. Ghaziani is a respected sociologist at the University of British Columbia. Ghaziani found that, like all neighborhoods, gayborhoods change. LGBT households are moving out and straight’s are moving in. He noted that […]

While many LGBT people want to live in the perfect community, many of these gay-friendly neighborhoods have become very expensive.  While it may be stereotypical, there is some truth to the fact that LGBT homeowners tend to keep their houses in great condition, and that does cause property values to rise.  However, there are some affordable areas that are perfect for same-sex couples.  You just might want to hurry—they’re sure to increase in value in a few years. Some of […]

LGBT housing discrimination can and does happen across the United States and includes actions such as denial of rental or lease applications, denial of home financing and eviction. There are no protections for LGBT under the federal fair housing laws. Some federal agencies and states have enacted laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and some municipalities within states that have no such laws have enacted ordinances that provide some legal protections. Federal Department of Housing […]

When you purchased your home together, you took ownership as joint tenancy, joint tenancy with right of survivorship or tenancy in common. Once you are married, your home will continue to be titled in the way that you originally took ownership. The question might be whether you need to change the way that you hold title. Tenancy in the Entirety Once you are married, providing you live in a state that recognizes same sex marriages and allows this type of […]

When a LGBT couple purchases a home in a state in which they cannot be legally married (or their marriage is not recognized) or get a civil union, they may want to create what’s called a Domestic Partnership Agreement.  This agreement may outline several things, but it’s very important for those couples who purchase a home but cannot claim joint ownership.  A Domestic Partnership Agreement is vital if couples split up because it can provide protection for both and clearly […]

Home Owners Associations (HOA), is an organization of property owners in a subdivision, development or condominium complex that administers the rules and covenants of that neighborhood or community. Covenants are legal, contractual agreements that are said to run with the land, meaning that the covenant cannot be separated from the land and is transferred with it when the property is sold. They are used to enforce certain standards of the community to keep property values from falling and can prohibit […]

Although 30-year fixed rate mortgages were the standard choice in the past, today lenders offer loans of varying lengths. Fixed rate mortgages are home loans where the interest rate remains the same throughout the life of the loan. Following are some advantages and disadvantages related to gay real estate and the 15 year fixed rate mortgage. And also have a look at the Costa Del Sol as it’s just a stunning area, you can easily find cheap Marbella Costa Del […]

Buying a home and moving in together is an exciting time in your life. The process of home buying and moving in together can be stressful and can cause tension in your relationship. The following tips on home buying and the big gay merge can help you reach your goal while enjoying yourself along the way. 1. Work out your finances. Have a discussion about your income, debts and credit history. A review of your finances can help you decide […]

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 […]