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If you’re a member of the LGBT community, you know what it’s like to live in an area where people are judged on their sexual orientation.  These conservative areas can range from simply unwelcoming to downright dangerous for gays and lesbians.  But sometimes you’re forced to live in an area you wouldn’t choose if it were up to you.  This can be because of work, financial situation, school, or other reason.  If you’re stuck in a conservative area, here are some things to keep in mind. You’re not the only […]

As of October, 2014, it is legal for same sex couples to marry in 32 states. For those who can legally marry, the calculation of estate taxes when a spouse dies and the amount of capital gain taxes that are exempt from taxes when you sell a home may be affected. Following are some of the ways that marriage can affect you. Gay couples may encounter various problems when they start looking for a house to buy. These issues may even lead to separation or divorce. Meet with divorce lawyers […]

Several decades ago, gay neighborhoods, sometimes called gayborhoods or gay ghettos, were very popular.  Gay men and women flocked to them for the safety and camaraderie they offered.  While many of these neighborhoods started as dilapidated, run down areas, the LGBT community began to transform them, and today, some of these areas are among the most affluent in their respective cities.  Of course, this means property values have risen, and some gay neighborhoods are no longer really affordable by any except the upper class. So where do other LGBT people […]

When same sex couples purchase a home, there are some legal protections that can be put into place to protect their children in the event one or both of them die. The protections that would be best for you will depend on your particular situation. Following are some of the options that are available, depending on the state that you live in. Types of Ownership When you purchase a home, you can choose how you want to take ownership. Following are some of the choices that are available. Joint tenancy […]

When you find the perfect home that you and your partner would like to purchase, you will begin the process by making a purchase offer. The offer generally includes how much you are offering to pay for the home, contingencies to the purchase such as inspections or financing, and any conveyances you would like included such as furnishings or other assets. It may also include a good faith deposit, generally $500 or 5 percent of the home’s value, to show that you are serious about purchasing the home. Before making […]

The Castro in San Francisco.  Boystown/Lakeview in Chicago.  Greenwich Village in New York City.  These neighborhoods have been known as “gay ghettos” for decades.  They were the original places where LGBT people could come together and live in an area without fearing for their property or their lives.  Today, many young gays and lesbians have heard of these neighborhoods as the original gay villages, and many want to visit or even move to these areas.  But those who start seeking real estate in one of these popular gay neighborhoods may […]

Looking for a great place to retire?  There are a number of communities where LGBT people can spend their golden years among like-minded people.  Some of them are among the top retirement destinations in the country, too.  You might be surprised to learn that they’re not necessarily the places you’d expect, either.  Here are some of the most popular places for LGBT people to retire, based off of the numbers from the 2012 U.S. Census. Looking to retire to a huge city where you’ll never be more than a few […]

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 a number of things, including the color you can paint […]

The Federal Fair Housing Act, Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, basically prohibits the refusal to negotiate, rent or sell housing, deny a dwelling, set different terms and conditions, or provide different housing services or facilities based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap. The Act may exempt owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without a broker, and housing that limit occupancy to members only by organizations and private clubs. There are currently no legal protections for […]

Selling your home can be complicated and stressful. Buyers are a lot more savvy today than they were in the past due to the wealth of information that is available on the Internet. Following are some tips for same sex couples selling their home. Learn Your Market Real estate selling strategies are local and has its own customs. General rules for selling real estate will not work in every location. The best way to do this is to hire a real estate agent. See our article Top 10 Reasons to […]