Up and Coming Gayborhoods in America You know the usual suspects: the Castro, the East Village, and maybe Provincetown. All of these neighborhoods helped establish the viability of the gay and lesbian community in the United States. But it’s 2013. The “gayborhood†is changing and other less-obvious cities are starting to show promise. Midtown… Read more »
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Terry’s Blog: Tips To Help You Get The Best Deal For Your RE Investment
With everything from bank-mandated home inspections and mysterious last-minute counter offers to unexpected spikes in closing costs, buying real estate can drive you crazy if you’re not properly informed on how the market operates. Read this article full of real estate-buying tips so you understand how to effectively purchase property. When you are buying a… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: What You Should Know About Home Mortgages
Finding out that you could have gotten a much better mortgage than you currently have can be a very distasteful experience. You don’t want to be that person. You want to go into a mortgage being well-informed. Therefore, keep reading so that you find out the information that you need to know. Consider unexpected expenses… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Real Estate Investing Tips
Real estate investing is something you should learn a little bit about before you get started with it. The time it takes to get into it won’t be that long if you have good information. If this seems like something you’d enjoy learning about, this article will give you the tips you need to start… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Mark Blankenship, Chicago
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. Mark has 12 years of experience in residential Real Estate sales. A vibrant city for anyone to explore their opportunities. All the neighborhoods offer excellent community amenities for GLBT… Read more »
Wilton Manors Named Gayborhood of the Year
From the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau: It’s not the size of the city that matters, with Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Wilton Manors beating worldwide competition to be named “Gayborhood of the Year” in the 2013 ManAboutWorld Editors’ Choice Awards. At the same time, the destination was recently cited to be the city with… Read more »
What Does Real Estate Really Cost in the USA?
Last issue’s column was dedicated to a discussion of the cyclical nature of real estate values and how those cycles come about and relate to the general economy. We are currently coming off a serious devaluation of real estate and are now in an expansion phase where inventory (supply) has diminished and buyer confidence (demand)… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Follow These Home Buying Tips and Succeed
If you are looking at buying real estate, now is an excellent time. There are a lot of properties available and prices are at an all time low. Read on for some great tips on how you can get a great deal and a great home for your money. Consider moving to a new location…. Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Great Advice About Home Mortgages That Anyone Can Easily Follow
While everyone considers buying a home at some point in their life, having to get a mortgage to pay for it can seem intimidating. In fact, some people are so worried about the situation that they continue to rent instead. Build your confidence by reading this article and learning about mortgages. Gather your paperwork together… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Real Estate Investing
Do you want to enter the real estate market, but doing so makes you nervous? Do you wish that you knew more about real estate? If so, the following article will answer all of your questions. Use this advice to guide your investments so that you can earn a tidy profit in real estate. Before… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Successful Home Buying Tips For You To Follow
The nation is currently rebooting in a multitude of different areas. One of the main areas currently undergoing a ground-up reformation is the real estate market. Before you decide to put your money down and purchase real estate as a buyer, check out these great tips on purchasing in any market. If you cannot afford… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Bankruptcy And Your Credit: The Impacts of Filing
When you decide to file for personal bankruptcy, it is a very serious decision that should not be entered into lightly. Look through the suggestions this article has to offer so you understand the ideas you should be thinking about when it comes to filing for bankruptcy. All knowledge that you can gain at this… Read more »
Could More Hi-Rise Condos Benefit Portland, Oregon’s Livability?
Michael Mehaffy and Suzanne Crowhurst Lennard’s recent opinion piece (“High-rises and livability: Do Portland planners have tower envy?” Sept. 29) made several references to my city of Vancouver, British Columbia, in its efforts to dissuade readers from the appropriateness of towers in Portland. Three erroneous claims were made about Vancouver in particular and tower construction… Read more »
Toronto’s Gayborhood Trying to Beautify Streets With Pole Wraps
The Church Wellesley Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) is getting closer to banishing posters from nearly all poles on Church Street in Toronto’s gay village. BIA manager David Wootton says a test pole, just south of Dundonald Street, is now covered with eight-foot-high wrapping. He hopes to eventually cover every pole on the street. The… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Mark Howard, Honolulu, Hawaii
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. Our goal is to understand every client’s needs, respond to them promptly, professionally, and with integrity. Perhaps because people of many races and beliefs live in relative harmony, Hawaii… Read more »
Where is DC’s Newest Gayborhood?
Ted Smith vividly recalls building matchstick houses as a child – and decorating them. After his parents finished supervising the building of their home in Pittsburgh, the family would visit real estate open houses on weekends. Smith loved walking through homes and looking at properties, an inexpensive form of entertainment in a simpler era. He… Read more »
Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
There are a lot of things to think about when you consider buying a home for the first time, or for that matter, at any time. When you begin the process, it is important to take a few key details into consideration before you begin your search. At the beginning, the two most important things… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: The Real Estate Must-Haves No Buyer Should Overlook
Buying real estate has been regarded as a wise investment throughout history. As the saying goes, land is always valuable – they aren’t making any more of it. Buying property is more than just a matter of exchanging money for land, though. The wise buyer takes the time to educate himself beforehand to ensure that… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Mortgages Confusing To You Try These Tips Out
Getting a home mortgage can be a tricky process for people because they have no idea what is required in order to get approved. Anyone can improve their chances by reading reading quality tips about home mortgages such as the one’s in the following article. Read on and get educated in the field of home… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Tim Hewetson, Toronto
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. Cultivating business relationships for life. Superior professionalism with integrity and meticulous attention to detail. Toronto is a city of diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods which contribute to a strong sense… Read more »
“Billionaire’s Condo Building” Approved in New York
One of the proposed Manhattan super-skyscrapers that I mentioned last month has been approved by the city. At a comparative height of more than 100 floors, it will have only 100 apartments. Ever want to look down on the Empire State Building? How about from your apartment? In three years, well-heeled buyers will be able… Read more »
New Seattle Hotel/Condo Highrise Planned for Denny Triangle
Officials of GIS International Group said Wednesday that they’re starting to plan development of a hotel-condo building in the Denny Triangle area of downtown Seattle. The project is planned for the corner of Stewart Street and Minor Avenue, according to a press release on GIS’s website. The site, which is now a parking lot, is… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Simple Tricks To Help Make Your Home Attractive To Buyers
There are a lot of pro active things that you can do when selling real estate. From the way that you present your home to the way that you offer and negotiate, you can make a big difference in the results that you get. This article will give you some great ideas on how to… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Excellent Personal Finance Tips Anyone Can Use
Your ability to manage your finances is reflected in almost every part of your life. Take charge of your finances. Our tips have shown you some ways to do this. Apply them well and see your personal finances prosper. If you are looking to repair your credit going through a credit repair agency might not… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Scott Garstka, Orlando, 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. Why choose Scott? He connects you to all of Orlando. He’s here to help you with more than real estate. Orlando has a great gay community, from Disney to… Read more »
Is Long Beach’s Gayborhood Shifting to Pine Avenue?
With 12 franchised restaurants currently operating in cities from West Hollywood to Berlin, Hamburger Mary’s is without a doubt the international pioneer in ground beef/drag queen fusion concept dining. And now Hamburger Mary’s Long Beach has set its sights on new horizons, surprising fans with a recently announced move from its current location on Alamitos… Read more »
Is France’s Salleres-d’Aude the Place for You if You’re Gay and Gray?
A new property development in the south west of France is set to become Europe’s first lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) retirement village and the news has already been causing headlines. But is this an attractive investment opportunity for British “gay and grey” retirees? Set up by The Villages Group, a British company based in… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Buying Knowledge That Proves to be Priceless
So, you have been thinking about buying a home for a while. However, the thought of the whole process seems very daunting. How do you know what to do and what not to do? The key is to do a lot of research and get advice. You can start here, by learning some of these… Read more »
15 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Home-buyers may spend as much money on their real estate agent as on their car, but many will choose their agent in less than an hour. Nearly half of all home-buyers hire the first agent they meet. This is probably because most of us would rather reject a car than a person. And some people… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Find Out About Home Mortgages Right Here
Applying for a mortgage can be complex for many people because they lack understanding of the process. If you want to understand mortgages better, you are in the right place. Read on to learn more about getting the right mortgage. Remember that the interest rate isn’t the most important part of a mortgage. You also… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Learn How To Get The Most Out Of Your Home
No matter who you are, you probably are going to either buy or sell real estate at some point in your life. Some people are nearly overwhelmed with the complications that a sale like this entails. This article intends to take some of the confusion out of selling real estate and help you get the… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Discover The Ways You Can Make The Most Of Your RE Purchase
Buying real estate can be an important part of your life. You need to do all of your research so that you don’t wind up losing a ton of money or even losing the chance to buy the real estate that you desire. There are some tips listed below to help you begin. With so… Read more »
DC’s Ward 1 is Diverse, Gay Friendly
As an openly gay man elected to the D.C. Council I am proud of the diversity of Ward One. Enhancing and preserving that diversity is important to me. With 1,000 new residents moving into the District each month — many into Ward One — our diversity is changing every day. Ward One is diverse in… Read more »
Which Ten States Are the Most Employment-Gay Friendly?
A new report ranks US states by their employment friendliness to the LGBT community. Dot429 reports: Employment law website XpertHR has ranked the top 10 LGBT-employment friendly states based on marriage equality, workplace discrimination protections and benefits for same-sex partners. The New England region boasts five of the top ten best places for America’s LGBT… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Mortgage Tips You Really Need to Know About
Choosing the right home mortgage will effect your entire financial future. This is an important decision that you need to be informed about before you go into it. Understanding the fundamentals can ensure you make a wise choice. Before beginning any home buying negotiation, get pre-approved for your home mortgage. That pre-approval will give you… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Gaining Information About Selling Real Estate Helps
Knowing about proper home listing and staging techniques is a great way to ensure that your property will move when you put it up for sale on the market. But there are many more things about selling real estate that you should know before attempting to do so. Check this article out and see what… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: How To Get Debt Consolidation To Work For You
Debt consolidation can be a great option if you’re struggling to pay off many creditors. It can help to get debtors out of debt. When it comes to this service there are a few things that you should know. Before you make any decisions, study your credit report. To start boosting your credit, you… Read more »
Gays Were Meant to Flip Houses
On an episode of Will & Grace, the lead characters planned to make money flipping apartments with the motto, “The Flippers Who Care.” The same happened last season on Modern Family. And Bravo TV’s Flipping Out was all about gay real estate mogul Jeff Lewis and his business of buying, renovating and reselling homes. Clearly,… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: The Real Estate Must-Haves No Buyer Should Overlook
With the recent real estate crash, now is a great time to purchase a home. Houses have lost a lot of value over the last few years which makes buying a home if you are in the position to, a wise investment. This article will give you some ideas for purchasing a new home. Treat… Read more »
FaceLube Supports LGBT Housing Organization
FaceLube’s ultra-masculine anti-aging line for men is reportedly pleased to further improve the mission of the Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing Organization (GLEH)–a non-profit, equal opportunity housing provider. The Annual GLEH Garden Party–the organization’s largest fundraiser and LGBT event of the year–will take place on October 6, 2013 at a private estate in Los Angeles…. Read more »
Smart Home Flipping
We asked Tony Sicilian to give us a quick checklist for good flipping ideas.These are his recommendations. Timing. “The hottest time to list a house is coming out of the winter — that’s when everyone is thinking of moving. It starts to slow down August through January. The perfect time to list is February.” Comps…. Read more »
Two Texas Cities Have Lowest Percentage of Gay Couples
New data released by the Census Bureau indicates two Texas cities — El Paso and Fort Worth — have the lowest percentage of same-sex couples among the 50 largest cities in the U.S. Fort Worth came in No. 49 with just 0.26 percent of couples who are gay or lesbian, and El Paso is No…. Read more »
New York City: Landlord Sued for Refusal to Add Same Sex Spouse to Apartment Lease
A legally married lesbian couple is suing the landlord of their Upper West Side apartment in New York City for refusing to add the name of a spouse to their lease. Dava Weinstein sought to have the name of Dorothy Calvani, her partner of 37 years and wife since 2011, placed as a co-tenent on… Read more »
What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for REALTORS®?
Congress has failed to approve a Continuing Resolution (CR) providing funding for most government operations. Therefore, spending authority for most of the government expired at midnight on Sept. 30, 2013. Until legislation providing for funding is signed into law, many offices and programs of the federal government are now shut down. This means many, but… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Debbie Golden, Albuquerque, New Mexico
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. Debbie is Albuquerque’s favorite GLBT Real Estate Agent since before it was safe to be Out! Albuquerque is city that has loads of sunshine and is gay-friendly. You are… Read more »
Overall, Fort Lauderdale Has the Highest Concentration of Same Sex Couples in the US
According to 2012 data released by the U.S. Census, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has the highest concentration of same-sex couple households in the country, the Huffington Post reports. Fort Lauderdale beat out huge gay cities like San Francisco, as same-sex couples make up 2.8 percent of total households in the south Florida city, which is about… Read more »
Seattle Has the Most Same Sex Couples of Any Large US City, By Population
Once upon a time, San Francisco was flying its freak flag high as the gayest city in America, if not the world. After years of resting on its leather daddy laurels, the City by the Bay has been usurped by none other than the plaid capital of America, if not the world, Seattle. According to… Read more »
Does Charlotte Have a Gayborhood?
Tom Warshauer has called Charlotte home for 23 years, moving here in his early 30s to take a job with the city. He has lived in some of the city’s hippest neighborhoods, including Dilworth, Uptown and, now, Plaza Midwood. He’s seen each area transform and their popularity ebb and flow — especially among his gay… Read more »
The Best Places in the USA for Gay Couples
Now that Section 3 of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) has been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, the best states for LGBT couples to move to are those that recognize gay marriage and that are in alignment with the new federal ruling. Financial experts, like the out MSNBC money expert Suze Orman, have… Read more »