Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Bill is a professional Denver real estate consultant, and client satisfaction is very important to him. Bill isn’t satisfied until his clients get the results they want. He has… Read more »
Monthly Archives: October 2012
Talking Gay Real Estate With Realtor Andy Weiser
Andy Weiser is arguably South Florida’s best-known and most successful gay realtor. Weiser has consistently been ranked in the top 1 percent of Coldwell Banker’s 96,700 agents at 3,300 offices in 49 countries. Media as diverse as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Miami Herald and CNN use him as a resource… Read more »
Fort Lauderdale Dog Parks
Fort Lauderdale, Florida is commonly known as a popular destination for fun and relaxation.  The area, known as the Venice of America, features many wonderful options for shopping, dining, sports activities, entertainment and much more. While there are many choices for humans, did you know Fort Lauderdale also has fun options for your canine friend?… Read more »
Maui is a Gay Pride Celebration Destination!
Maui is the new destination locale for Gay Pride Celebration. This year was the first year in many where there was actually Pride festival beginning Oct. 5th with a VIP reception at the Sunseeker Hotel. On Saturday, Oct 6th there was a full day of events starting with a Hawaiian Cultural Hike with hugely discounted… Read more »
Good News!!!
Hello All, If you did not catch it, but I hope you did, the Star had a great front page article in the paper today and online in the business pages of KansasCity.com about the housing industry, how it is improving.  click on link below to review the article.  It really talks about how… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Sheila D. Barnard, Nashville, Tennessee
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Sheila is a 30-year resident of the Nashville area, and is very knowledgeable about the region. She knows what it means to own your own Nashville home, and she… Read more »
So, How Can I Make A Living In Mexico?
Jim Karger writes: So, why don’t they pick up and leave? Money. They don’t have enough to live on the income generated by their savings for the rest of their lives. (Many actually do and believe they don’t, but I will save that topic for another article.) For those who want to live in Mexico,… Read more »
Wisconsin, USA: Home Sales, Prices Up in September
The Wisconsin housing market continued to grow as existing home sales increased 4.6 percent in September of 2012 compared to September 2011, according to the most recent monthly report by the Wisconsin REALTORS(R) Association (WRA). Median prices also increased over that same period, increasing 0.2 percent to $135,000 in September. Sales have now increased for… Read more »
Las Vegas Real Estate Market Shows Improvement
A new report comparing the current housing market to the situation four years ago says the picture is “somewhat better” for southern Nevada. An analysis by foreclosure tracking firm RealtyTrac notes that home prices are down 41% and unemployment is up 52% since fall 2008, although both are showing signs of recovery. But it also… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Robert H. Leininger, Baltimore, Maryland
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Robert is friendly, professional, and easy to work with – he has 24 years experience in banking and retail management, and works closely with Baltimore home sellers and buyers…. Read more »
Limited Real Estate Inventory Pushes Arizona Home Prices Up
The moment Ben Bruce stepped into the living room of a new, 1,750-square-foot condo in Flagstaff, he knew he was home. He and his fiancee, who had spent a year sifting through properties all over Flagstaff, quickly made up their minds to buy the first unit available in the complex for $240,000. “We are excited… Read more »
Charlotte Home Sales, Prices Up in September
Total home sales and average sales prices were higher in September in the Charlotte area, compared with a year earlier, Charlotte Regional Realtor Association reported Tuesday. The association also said homes spent less time on the market compared to a year ago. Closings totaled 2,244 around the region in September, up 14 percent from September… Read more »
Washington DC’s Real Estate Market Has Something for Buyers and Selelrs
If you’re like most people who pay attention to real estate, you may be somewhat puzzled by the current market in D.C. On the one hand, you hear that it is a perfect time to buy; on the other, you hear that it is a seller’s market. How can both of these statements be true?… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Dan Joy, Oakland, California
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Dan combines business savvy with great people skills in the Oakland Real Estate Market. Dan has a Bachelor’s in psychology and business administration and a Master’s in social work…. Read more »
Avoiding First Time Home Buyer Mistakes
There are several mistakes that first time home buyers make that are easily avoided. The idea is to not be impulsive or succumb to wishful thinking. Even though a home may seem like a dream house it could, in reality, be a real nightmare if you are not carefully considering everything that entails purchasing the… Read more »
Saint Louis City Neighborhoods
St Louis and St. Louis City is home to a significant number of GLBT and communities.  The City of St. Louis, which runs along the Mississippi River has resurrected itself to be one of the most open GLBT communities in the US (Advocate 2011). When I moved here 25 years ago, I found myself in… Read more »
Appalling
So get this. This election, the state I live in, the PUBLIC will get to vote on regards to discrimination against gays and lesbians. Not on the marriage issue. That has nothing to do with it at all. People will be voting on whether it’s ok to discriminate against gays/lesbians when it comes to jobs… Read more »
The Buck Stops Here!
“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you place the blame.â€Â ~Oscar Wilde THE ANCIENT ROMANS had a tradition. Whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible — he stood under the arch. BUCK… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Frank Silva-Berger, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. When buying or selling homes in Milwaukee’s real estate market, you need to be confident in your Milwaukee real estate professional. I am committed to you as your gay… Read more »
US Pending Home Sales Up Modestly in September
Contracts to buy previously owned homes rose far less than expected in September, an industry group said on Thursday, but the data continued to point to an improving tone in the housing market. The National Association of Realtors said its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in September, gained 0.3 percent to 99.5…. Read more »
Gay Guide to San Diego
I was born and raised in San Diego. I’ve played tour guide to plenty of visitors and the more I learn about San Diego, the more I love it. The majority of the city is gay friendly, but like any city, the best part is the gayborhood. About three miles north of downtown sits San… Read more »
Gay Guide to Baltimore
Baltimore has always been an important city for me. My stepdad grew up here, and my family took regular trips here years before I started college at the Peabody Conservatory, a Johns-Hopkins-affiliated music conservatory in the city. In my sophomore year, my mom took a job teaching at a private school here and my parents… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Jon Becker, Traverse City, Michigan
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Jon was born and raised in midwest Michigan (in the Big Rapids region), and he has lived in the area and Northern Lower Michigan (Gaylord/Traverse City area) his entire… Read more »
The California Real Estate Market is Heating Up
It wasn’t just heating up outside this summer and fall. The real estate market was definitely heating up as well! Prices in California are up again. Our home prices are now at a four-year high. “The median price for new and existing houses and condominiums in Southern California reached $315,000, up 12.5 percent from $280,000… Read more »
US: New Home Sales at Two and a Half Year High
New single-family home sales surged in September to their highest level in nearly 2-1/2 years, further evidence the housing market recovery is gaining steam. The Commerce Department said on Wednesday sales increased 5.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted 389,000-unit annual rate – the highest level since April 2010, when sales were boosted by a tax… Read more »
Wilton Manors Home to New Pride Center at Equality Park
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Fort Lauderdale (GLCC) made some exciting announcements recently. After years of searching for a new home, the center recently unveiled a new 35,000 square foot complex called Equality Park. The complex is made up of three buildings on almost 6 acres of waterfront property in Wilton Manors, Florida…. Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Andrew D. Daily, Plymouth, Michigan
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Andrew helps sellers using the best of current technology, including property marketing services and advanced buyer tools, to give you a competitive edge in todays real estate sale &… Read more »
Vancouver Saw Real Estate Market Slowdown in September
A slowdown in real estate sales numbers in Vancouver, particularly in single-family homes worth more than $1 million, dragged down the country’s average home price in September, the Canadian Real Estate Association said Monday. In Metro Vancouver, the average home price was down 3.8 per cent in September from a year earlier, which CREA said… Read more »
Canadian Home Prices, Sales Rise Again After Mortgage Rules Change
Residential real estate sales picked up in 60% of local markets in Canada last month as the sector bedded down with changes to the country’s mortgage rules. Prices also increased slightly but overall the market is subdued compared with a year ago, according to the latest data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). The… Read more »
Toronto Condo Sales Drop, Prices Stall
Condo prices in Toronto have finally stopped climbing. After months of weakness in sales numbers, prices are now coming down in what some observers are calling the most overbuilt condo market in North America. The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) reported Tuesday that condo sales fell 20.5 per cent, year on year, compared to the… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Brad Millington, Phoenix, Arizona
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Brad has a detailed understanding of the Phoenix real estate market, and works diligently to help buyers and sellers meet their Phoenix real estate goals. If you want to… Read more »
Winnipeg Home Sales Dropped in September
SALES of existing homes in Winnipeg dropped 14 per cent in September, but industry officials say it’s too soon to say if three straight months of weakening sales is the start of a market correction or a temporary aberration. The Winnipeg Realtors Association said Friday that Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sales fell to 1,040 units… Read more »
Nashville, Tennessee Home Sales String in Third Quarter
Home sales are supposed to be weak during a presidential election year, but Nashville-area home buyers apparently haven’t heard that bit of conventional wisdom. The market is stronger than it’s been in years. “We’re seeing everything way up,” says Andrew Terrell, a Realtor with Pilkerton Realtors. “Nothing has slowed down.” Nashville-area home sales in the… Read more »
Denver Home Sales in September Reached Highest Levels Since 2008
The latest data from Metrolist(R), the largest real estate multiple listing service (MLS) serving Colorado real estate agents, show a continued strong real estate market in the Denver metro area. According to the Metrolist report, a total of 3,949 homes and condos sold in September, down from the previous month but well ahead of historical… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Brad Hinckley, Seattle, Washington
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Brad is a licensed Seattle Realtor(R) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He has two degrees from Stanford University: an MBA and a BA in Economics. He also has… Read more »
Sales and Prices Up in illinois Real Estate Market in September
Home sales increased 15.9 percent over previous-year levels in September, extending a run of more than a year of sales gains, according to the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR). The strong sales report was coupled with data showing the median price of a home in the state rose 2.2 percent. Statewide home sales (including single-family… Read more »
Detroit Home Sales Down Slightly, prices Up in September
Metro Detroit home sales were down slightly in September for the first time in a year, but prices continue to climb, according to figures released Monday by Farmington Hills-based Realcomp. The good news is the median sale price of a home or condo in Metro Detroit was up in September from the same month last… Read more »
Is it Time to Remodel Your Home?
Home remodeling is still a very common desire for homeowners. Most everybody wants to have a beautiful home with all of the modern conveniences that are available. The upgrades and improvements that you can do to your home today are almost endless. From the inside of the home to the outside, you can remodel every… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Eric Joy, Portland, Oregon
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Eric is a Portland, Oregon realtor who is committed to excellence and to giving his clients professional, result-oriented service. He also believes in the best ethical standards, and that… Read more »
Real Estate Pricing in Central America
A step towards a one stop pricing guide for homes in Central America, and perhaps one day MLS, comes from an enterprising Realtor in Managua, Nicaragua. “It’s a simple dataset that helps set expectations and compel action,” according to Claudia Gonella, co-founder of Reveal Real Estate. “We wanted to provide the most straightforward representation of… Read more »
New Jersey, USA: New Home Starts Could Reach 2008 Levels
New Jersey’s home building industry, aided by record low interest rates, a slowly improving job market, and a spike in apartment construction, is on pace for its best year since 2008, according to figures compiled Wednesday. No one is jumping up and down. But industry officials and experts said home builders are beginning to climb… Read more »
Discovering Gay and Lesbian Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is known as The Steel City – but it also has an emerging arts scene and DIY culture. It is an incredibly affordable place to live and has been hailed as the “new Portland” although some are angling for it to be the next Hollywood. It’s one of those in-between cities that is so… Read more »
Home Prices, Sales Up in Atlanta for Fourth Straight Month
Home prices in the metro Atlanta area show improvement for another month. Homeowners and real estate agents hope the trend will continue. Atlanta real estate veteran Mitch Kaminer says agents are seeing better market conditions after several years of trouble. He’s president of the Atlanta Board of Realtors. The group reports metro home sales were… Read more »
New Income Tax on the Rich Moves Paris Real Estate
France’s new 75 percent income tax on the rich may not be popular with millionaires. But it’s being cheered by another group: Paris real-estate buyers. Real estate agents say that the number of multi-million-dollar real-estate listings in Paris has jumped more than 25 percent over last year – due in part to the threat of… Read more »
Housing Starts Surging in the US
Groundbreaking on new homes surged in September to its fastest pace in more than four years, a sign the housing sector’s budding recovery is gaining traction and supporting the wider economic recovery. Housing starts increased 15 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000 units, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday. That… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Chad Gray, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Chad is part of the leading Fort Lauderdale luxury real estate team, proudly serving our community and delivering stellar service! If you’re buying or selling Fort Lauderdale real estate,… Read more »
Birmingham, Alabama Home Sales Down, Prices Up in September
The Birmingham Association of Realtors said Wednesday that home sales in the Birmingham area fell 3 percent in September. According to al.com, the association said 882 homes were sold last month – a decrease from 905 homes in September 2011. At Gay Realty Watch, we look for news to share with you about the gay… Read more »
Cheyenne Home Prices Rising
Home prices are on the rise here, and local real-estate agents expect the trend to continue. The average home price in Cheyenne rose by 3 percent through August compared to the same timeframe in 2011. That is according to information from CoreLogic, a national provider of information, analytics and business services. It is part of… Read more »
Anchorage’s Commercial Real Estate Market Stable
Market data from the past three years clearly show that our commercial real estate market has reflected the stability of the Anchorage economy, despite the problems of the national economy. They also show that new construction drives up the vacancy rate for older buildings. Anchorage’s economy has demonstrated amazing stability over the past two decades…. Read more »
St. Louis Home Sales Up for 14 Straight Months in August
Home sales rose sharply in August in the metro area, realtors report. Prices, however, showed little movement in most of the area. Sales were up 14 percent St. Louis city and county in August, compared to the same month last year, says the St. Louis Association of Realtors. Sales rose 36 percent in St. Charles… Read more »
Selling an Ugly Home
You all know her. Maybe you’ve been unable to keep her in the style to which she was once accustomed. Perhaps you inherited her from a family member who didn’t want her anymore. Or, as with Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, you may have once seen the potential in her and promised to turn her… Read more »
Pay Off Your Mortgage in Half the Time with Bi-Weekly Payments
One way to pay off your mortgage faster is to make bi-weekly mortgage payments instead of monthly ~ this can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the long-term as well as allow you to make paying off the mortgage less of an endurance test. If your mortgage is amortized correctly over… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Shea Steel, Portland, Oregon
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. Shea is a multi-million dollar selling agent living in beautiful Portland, Oregon. She is passionate about the Portland real estate business, and provides impeccable customer service and satisfaction to… Read more »
New Report: New Orleans’ Economy Recovering Faster Than Any Other Large US City
New Orleans fared better than any other metro area in the U.S. in recovering from the recession during the second quarter of 2012, according to a report released Tuesday by the Brookings Institute. That same report put Baton Rouge in the middle of the pack in terms of the comeback, coming in 49th out of… Read more »
Wilmington Home Sales Up 20% in August
Wilmington-area home sales rose more than 20 percent in August compared with a year earlier, the Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors reported Wednesday. The 555 sales last month – up from 462 in August 2011 – was the biggest total for August since 2007, according to Realtor statistics. It also tied with June for the… Read more »
USA: Foreclosures Drop to Lowest Rate in Five Years
Foreclosure filings on U.S. homes in September fell to their lowest level in five years, but some states are still seeing their foreclosures rise, a report from RealtyTrac said on Thursday. The overall decrease put the combined number of reported default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions at 180,427 – the lowest total since July… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Julie Nelson, Austin, Texas
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. We think you need “smart” real estate … smart buying strategies, smart offers, smart pricing, smart relocation and just simply an attentive and intelligent focus on the market, its… Read more »
Lexington, Kentucky Home Sales Rose Dramatically in Third Quarter
Lexington home sales rebounded strongly in the last two months compared to a year ago, according to data released this week by Property Valuation Administrator David O’Neill. Sales of homes, townhomes, condos and duplexes rose 37 percent in July compared to July 2011, and sales were up 20 percent in August. That builds on momentum… Read more »
Florida Housing Market Improved in August
Florida’s housing market had more closed sales, more pending sales, higher median prices and a reduced inventory of homes for sale in August, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors(R). “Florida’s housing marketing continues its momentum,” said 2012 Florida Realtors President Summer Greene, regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate… Read more »
US Real Estate’s Shadow Inventory at Lowest Level in Three Years
The number of U.S. homes that could soon come onto the market fell to the lowest in more than three years as of July as distressed sales offset new delinquencies in an encouraging sign for the housing market, a data analyst firm said on Tuesday. The pending supply of homes, also known as shadow inventory,… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Valerie Tolson, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. The Rehoboth beach real estate market becomes more sophisticated and challenging every day, and you need a real estate professional who understands the industry and can stay ahead of… Read more »
Orlando Home Prices Up 8.2% in August Over 2011
Metro Orlando home prices, including distressed sales, increased by 8.2 percent in August 2012 compared to a year ago, according to a new report from CoreLogic. The Santa Ana, Calif.-based company (NYSE: CLGX) also reports a 1.7 percent increase in home prices month-over-month from July 2012. Prior to that, home prices in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area… Read more »
Montana’s Real Estate Market Ranks 10th in Strength in US
Montana ranks among the top ten states for having the strongest housing markets, according to 24/7 Wall St. The report said that “Montana shares characteristics with several of the Plains States. It never suffered from high unemployment during the recession; as a matter of fact, the jobless rate has been extraordinarily low. The agriculture and… Read more »
Fort Lauderdale LGBT Events for October 2012
Mark your calendars! The Luxury Living Fort Lauderdale group at Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate is pleased to provide you with some of the LGBT non-profit and political events that are planned to take place in Fort Lauderdale during October 2012. Thursday, October 4 – Sunday, October 7 Fort Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Gateway… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Jon Bauer, St. Petersburg, Florida
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. A home is one of the largest, if not the single largest investment you may make. Finding someone you can trust to represent you in the process of buying… Read more »
San Diego Housing Prices Rising
Housing prices are on the climb in the San Diego region, another indication of an improving local economy. The Greater San Diego Association of Realtors (SDAR) released the September 2012 housing statistics today, compiled from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and the fresh statistics show prices across San Diego County are climbing. In September, the… Read more »
Finding Dallas’s Gayborhoods
For years, the Oak Lawn area has been known as The Gayborhood, an enclave not just where the LGBT community gathers to party, but also where many choose to live. The demographics in this part of town skew so heavily, just saying “Oak Lawn” or “Cedar Springs” is practically code for “gay.” As the community… Read more »
Bringing Solar Energy Home
We are all aware of solar energy for the home. But most of us do not have it nor are we familiar with it and its technology. Slowly, more and more homes are being equipped with solar energy and it is something that all of us should be educated on and ultimately consider. Solar energy… Read more »
Virginia Home Sales, Prices Up in August From 2011
Total home sales and median sales prices of homes that sold in Virginia in August were up compared to a year before, as the market began to move from the high-pitched summer months to the more sedate remainder of the year. A total of 8,679 residential properties changed hands across the Old Dominion in August,… Read more »
Seattle Real Estate Holding Strong
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Todd Black, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Periodically we’ll feature one of our real estate professionals here to let our readers know about some great Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, and Other Real Estate Professionals. There is nothing quite like the experience of matching buyers with sellers, and knowing that you are making a real difference in people’s lives. Todd graduated from University with… Read more »
Seattle Home Prices Up 3.1% in August Over 2011
Home prices in the Seattle metropolitan area continued to rebound in July, according to one closely watched measure. Prices were up 3.1 percent from July 2011, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home-price index. It was the third straight monthly year-over-year gain, and the biggest increase since the housing market collapsed five years ago. At… Read more »
Ohio Real estate Sales Up Again in August
Optimism seems to be creeping into the region’s real estate market. Home sales were up again in August as more residents took advantage of what agents are calling a true buyer’s market. Home ownership in Ohio increased 12.7 percent for the month over this time last year, the 14th consecutive monthly sales gain since December… Read more »