Increase your Home Value with these Five Steps Looking to increase the value of your home within a budget? A few simple and cheap home improvements may increase your houses value at much as a remodel that can cost thousands of dollars. First, clean your house. A basic cleaning of your house makes for a… Read more »
Monthly Archives: February 2014
Terry’s Blog: Use These Great Tips To Help You Successfully Sell Your Property
Use These Great Tips To Help You Successfully Sell Your Property If real estate sales are on your mind but you just can’t come up with the strategies that can give you the best results, you may need to consider a few of these tips and the advice of this article. You could be on… Read more »
Have San Francisco Rents Really Been Pushed Out of Sight By Google?
A new analysis from the site Zumper said yes, in some areas, but that’s not the whole story. The Business Insider reports: Zumper compared median prices for 1-bedroom apartments from hundreds of listings posted on their site during the month of January. They then calculated the change from January 2013 to January 2014. What they… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Tips and Advice To Help Simplify The Home Buying Process
Tips And Advice To Help Simplify The Home Buying Process There’s a huge list of real estate dos and don’ts for buyers out there. When you need to know how to approach the market so that you don’t end up getting burned, these tips can definitely help you make the right investment on the right… Read more »
USA, Pennsylvania: Philly’s Gayborhood Gets Affordable Senior Housing
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today to celebrate the opening of the John C. Anderson Apartments, a pioneering LGBT-friendly, low-income senior housing apartment complex. The apartments – named for John C. Anderson, a Philadelphia City Council member from 1979 until his death in 1983, instrumental in the passage of Philadelphia’s civil rights bill for sexual… Read more »
Terry’s Blog:Home Selling Advice The Real Estate Experts Don’t Want You To Know
Home Selling Advice The Real Estate Experts Don’t Want You To Know There are so many things that you should know before you are able to be truly successful in selling real estate. Key and prime locations, marketing, and conversion of prospect clients are all elements that you want to master – and these tips… Read more »
Could Arizona’s Right to Discriminate Bill Hurt the Phoenix Housing Market?
The Phoenix-area real estate industry has been somewhat tight-lipped on its opinion of the controversial “religious freedom” bill that’s waiting for Gov. Jan Brewer to either sign or veto. For instance, the Arizona Association of Realtors hasn’t responded to requests for comment. In addition, Doug Fulton, president of Tempe-based home builder Fulton Homes — who… Read more »
Top Ten Tax Deductions for Homeowners
Your home may be brimming with tax advantages. How will you get all of the homeowner tax breaks you’re entitled to? Consult a professional tax advisor for details. Here’s a list of the top 10 deductions to consider: 1. Mortgage Interest Deduction The mortgage interest deduction has always been the most-beloved tax benefit of home… Read more »
Why Do Realtors Keep Asking Me if I’m Working With Anyone Else?
I get asked that question almost as much as I ask it of them! So many potential Buyers feel the need to contact the Listing Agent themselves and, if the Realtor is doing the job correctly, the first question needs to be “What is the name of the Realtor you’re currently working with?” (to be… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Purchasing Real Estate? Check Out These Helpful Tips!
Purchasing Real Estate? Check Out These Helpful Tips! Buying a home is an exciting and fun time, but there are always pitfalls to watch out for. For both the first-time homebuyer and the veteran, buying a home can be complicated, confusing, and costly. Read the tips in this article to help you find your perfect… Read more »
Mortgage Monday: How to Speed Up the Mortgage Process
Mortgage Monday: Do you want to speed up the mortgage process? Do you want to speed up your mortgage process? The length of your mortgage process depends on the loan type, the property and several other considerations. Furthermore, consumers looking to make their mortgage move faster must have patience and preparation because you are at… Read more »
Found Your New Home? Prepare for the Move!
ARE YOU PREPARED TO MOVE INTO YOUR NEW HOME?  Here is valuable information to help you deal with movers: “Valuation†Coverage When scheduling your move, there are many things to consider. One that is often overlooked is coverage for items that may be damaged during the move. Damage claims are infrequent for most moving companies,… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Get Smart And Follow These Tips On Buying Real Estate
Get Smart And Follow These Tips On Buying Real Estate So you want to buy a house? Chances are you are not sure where to start, and you may even be very overwhelmed by the possibilities and choices. This article will start to put your mind at rest and will help you wade through all… Read more »
Where is Fresno’s Gayborhood?
Our friends at GayRealEstate.com have an answer: A primary “gayborhood” in the northeast part of city is called the Tower District because it is centered around the historic Art Deco Tower Theater, which is included on the National List of Historic Places. The area is known for its wonderful architecture and including homes built in… Read more »
Will New “Billionaire’s Row” Condo Buildings Darken Central Park?
It’s a comforting fact of New York City life that space in Central Park will never be allocated for towering high rise condos, glass-walled TD Banks or the upscale, alcohol-slinging Denny’s that have become commonplace in so much of the city. But according to some, the threat of development destroying the park is still very… Read more »
Are Seattle Renters Being Priced Out of the Market?
In the next few years Amazon said they will hire an additional 12,000 employees and they all have to live somewhere. But at what cost? The rapid redevelopment could become an epidemic for all of King County. The average one bedroom in South Lake Union costs $2,200. That’s more expensive than many of the trendy… Read more »
A Tale of Two Cities’ Condos
Richcraft Homes’ latest condo project, The Bowery, is touted as “condominium living with a distinctly New York vibe.” That got me thinking about what distinguishes the two cities’ condo markets. Space Confucius says: “He who lives in New York City understands that space is a luxury.” OK, he didn’t. But he may as well have…. Read more »
Keeping it Local: Orange County based cuSELLeration Marketing and Creative Services
Keeping it Local: The Moeller Team In this week’s series of Keeping it Local, we feature Zac Cusac, the founder and CEO of cuSELLeration Marketing and Creative Services. cuSELLEration is an Orange County based digital marketing, brand management and creative services firm. This week, Zac sat down with the Moeller Team to answer five questions… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: You Will Want A Professional Real Estate Agent Handling The Sale Of Your Home
You Will Want A Professional Real Estate Agent Handling The Sale Of Your Home If you’re a seller in this market, you are probably asking many questions. “What’s the right price to sell my real estate? How fast will it sell? What can I do to raise the value of my real estate?” This article… Read more »
Does Albuquerque Have a Gayborhood?
Not really. But the folks over at Gay Travel have some ideas for you: Albuquerque does not have a centralized gayborhood, but it is certainly a gay friendly city. One spot recommended by Gaytravel.com for LGBT travelers is Nob Hill. Route 66 runs through this neighborhood and is line with neon signs, hip restaurants, and… Read more »
Twenty US Zip Codes Where It’s Now Cheaper to Buy Than Rent
Look no farther than rent prices for a reminder that the housing market is still on the mend. Several reports suggest that rents have soared so high, that buying a house can be cheaper than renting one in some parts of the country… RealtyTrac, a housing data firm, offered some insight into how the high… Read more »
What Effect Do Gayborhoods Have on Urban Areas?
The sociological and economic benefits of urban “gayborhoods” — loosely defined as neighborhoods in which many gay men and lesbians concentrate — was discussed at length on HuffPost Live this week. Interestingly, Professor Janice Madden found an interesting discrepancy between the neighborhoods which traditionally attract gay men versus those that draw a high lesbian population…. Read more »
Vote on Which Rainbow Crosswalk Should be Added to the Castro
Online voting has gone live for the public to weigh in on several designs for rainbow crosswalks, as well as other color schemes, set to be installed in San Francisco’s gay Castro district sometime this summer. As the Bay Area Reporter noted on its blog a week ago, the Castro Upper Market Community Benefit District… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Confused About Taking Out A Mortgage? These Tips Can Help!
Confused About Taking Out A Mortgage? These Tips Can Help! Although there are many lenders out there offering home mortgage options, you would be surprised at how discerning they are these days. In other words, finding the right home mortgage plan can be incredibly tricky. Even if you have a pretty good idea about how… Read more »
How to Survive Transition
Timing the closing of your new home purchase with the end of your lease agreement or sale of your existing home is tricky, to say the least. Rarely does it work out that you move directly from one home to another on a perfect schedule. During the transition, you need a place to live and… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Know What You Are Doing When Buying A Home
Know What You Are Doing When Buying A Home Whether you are a first time home buyer or a veteran to the market, you are going to benefit from the information that follows. There are constant changes to the market and knowing the latest tips for success in buying real estate is going to benefit… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Excellent Advice About Home Mortgages
Excellent Advice About Home Mortgages That You Will Want To Read Have you ever have a home mortgage before? From those new to buying a home to those who wish to refinance, learning about mortgages is key. In order to find the best home mortgage for you, you need to be up on those changes…. Read more »
Why Gayborhoods Are Important
For the world premiere of HBO’s Looking, the new show about the lives of three gay men in the Bay Area, the cable network turned to one of the epicenters of gay culture in perhaps the most gay-friendly city in the country: the Castro Theatre, right in the center of one of the most thriving… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Practical Tips For Buying Residential Real Estate
Practical Tips For Buying Residential Real Estate Purchasing real estate is a very big investment on your part. Therefore, it is crucial that you make the right decision when deciding the real estate you should purchase. If you make the wrong decision, it could be costly for you. The article below will give you advice… Read more »
Gentrification is Hard to Stop
Cities are transforming, and it’s palpable. The reliable no-frills coffeehouse shut down and two months later, there’s an artisan bakery selling baguettes for $6. Your favorite barber tells customers he can no longer afford the rent; meanwhile a chain salon around the corner has an hour wait. These scenes are all too familiar for the… Read more »
Club For Sale in Chicago’s Gayborhood
Boystown’s Spin Nightclub, located at the corner of Halsted and Belmont, is up for sale. According to a listing on Jameson Commercial by broker Mike Costanzo, the 9,000-square-foot club is priced at $1.5 million. The leasing price is $26,000 a month. The listing, which has been active since Nov. 19, 2013, is only for the… Read more »
San Francisco Condos More Expensive Than Houses in January
If you’re looking for a deal on a new home in San Francisco, forget about buying a condo. The median price for a condo or tenancy-in-common unit in San Francisco hit $950,000 in January, a 24.6 percent year-over-year jump, and surpassed the $928,000 median price for single family homes, according to the San Francisco Association… Read more »
Radio City Post Office Condo Plan Raises Concerns
Neighborhood residents are angry about the pending addition of a two-story, 48-unit luxury condominium to the top of the Radio City Post Office. With building permits okayed by the city at the end of last year, residents are arguing that the addition, which could provide some much needed cash-flow to the struggling USPS, would compromise… Read more »
The Castro Gayborhood Association Votes for Street Upgrades
A Castro group will pay nearly $122,000 for decorative improvements in the heart of San Francisco’s gay business district as part of a sidewalk widening project expected to break ground in late February. At its meeting last night (Thursday, February 13) the Castro Upper Market Community Benefit District board voted to allocate the money toward… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Sound Advice For Home Sellers In The Real Estate Market
Sound Advice For Home Sellers In The Real Estate Market Sometimes you may need to quickly sell a property. This may be difficult or impossible due to current market conditions. Read this article in full to get the knowledge you need to help you succeed! If you are trying to sell your home, remove all… Read more »
Is San Diego a Big City, or a Small Town?
Size is relative, as we know. Without a point of comparison, we cannot say that anything is either “big” or “little.” But we’ve seen the city and county of San Diego alternately described as a “big city with a small town feel,” a “small town vibe in a big package” and a “big small town.”… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Useful Real Estate Selling Techniques For You
Useful Real Estate Selling Techniques For You A lot of us become emotionally attached to our properties in one form or another. Whether it’s a property we’ve called home for years or one in which we are invested, emotions can easily keep you from making a big profit and moving the home quickly. Read these… Read more »
Ten Huge Apartments For Sale in New York City
Time for a little fantasy living – Jeremiah Budin has compiled a list of the ten largest apartments for sale in NYC. Curbed reports: One of the biggest concessions of living in New York City is giving up the dream of having what most people would call “a reasonable amount of space,” and instead squeezing… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Tips That Will Help You To Get Your Dream Home
Tips That Will Help You To Get Your Dream Home Purchasing properties can be scary, particularly if you have never done so before. Buying a property, however, can dramatically improve the quality of your life, and can be a very lucrative investment. The tips in this article offer valuable information that you can use as… Read more »
Where is Albuquerque’s Gayborhood?
According to About.com, the Nob Hill District is the gayest in town. About.com reports: The largest city in the Land of Enchantment has plenty of good reasons to visit, particularly among the state’s lesbian and gay visitors. Like the other major gay destinations in New Mexico – Santa Fe and Taos – Albuquerque has long… Read more »
Tips Terry’s Blog: On Making Your Real Estate Purchase A Success
Tips On Making Your Real Estate Purchase A Success When beginning with real estate buying, you most likely have a lot of questions floating around in your mind. You probably feel lost when looking at the documents associated with making a purchase, too. Take a look at these tips below to eliminate your confusion and… Read more »
Gym to Move into Famed Chelsea Gayborhood Club Space
The popular David Barton Gym announced recently that in the fall of 2014 it’s going to move into the Limelight in Chelsea and convert the iconic space into a 20,000-square-foot workout destination. The Church of the Holy Communion and Buildings was constructed in the grand Gothic Revival style back in 1846 by architect Richard Upjohn… Read more »
What is “Aging in Place”?
As a designated SRES Realtor, I work with a lot of retirees and seniors on making real estate decisions. In fact, I work with a lot of them who are relocating to Vancouver, WA due to the combination of tax advantages, progressive politics and proximity to Portland. I like helping people through such important transitions… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Rent a Storage Unit And Get Rid Of The Clutter
Get rid of junk and clutter. Rent a storage unit if you need to. You have to pretend that it’s not yours anymore. Good luck! Another trick to increase your chances of selling your home is to paint all your walls. Choose a neutral color when you do this. It doesn’t have to be a… Read more »
Where is Memphis’ Gayborhood?
Where is the gayborhood in Memphis, Tennessee? The Dallas Voice points to Midtown: Memphis extends east toward Midtown, where many area businesses are popular with gay visitors. In Overton Park, you can tour the excellent Memphis Zoo and the acclaimed Memphis Brooks Museum of Art… South of Downtown, the 901 Complex is one of the… Read more »
Eight Condos Sold in Seattle This Year for more than $1 Million
We ran a quick analysis of 1 million plus sales in Bellevue and Seattle (2014). Thus far, Bellevue has yet to post a million dollar sale, while Seattle has 8 year to date. For those looking, you’ll find that Bellevue has 12 condos currently listed over a million dollars. They range from 1,050,888 to $2,999,000…. Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Donald Munro, Honolulu, Oahu, 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. Don has held a Real Estate License in Hawaii since 1987 and has owned his own brokerage since 1997. Oahu is Hawaii’s most cosmopolitan island. It is also one… Read more »
Palmer Park, Detroit’s Old Gayborhood, Sees a Renaissance
Palmer Park was once Detroit’s premier gayborhood. Now, after decades of neglect, it’s coming around again. Model D. reports: This exquisite neighborhood — bordered by Woodward to the east, the park itself on its northern edge, Pontchartrain Blvd to the west and McNichols to the south — was home to much of Detroit’s Jewish community… Read more »
Are Techies Pushing Up Boston Housing Prices?
Just call it the housing market’s geek factor. Trulia takes a look at 10 tech hubs across the country, including Middlesex County, home to both Cambridge and the Route 128 beltway. Homes on average cost 82 percent more in tech hubs than in other metro areas without large constellations of technology companies, Trulia finds. In… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Personal Finance Tips That Will Help You Save Money
Personal Finance Tips That Will Help You Save Money As you go through life, getting your finances together is crucial. Even if you aren’t having a problem, it’s important to start getting things in order in case an unexpected event occurs. Here are some great ways to start getting your personal finances together so that… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Virginia Ruffulo, Medford, 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. Virginia is well-travelled, friendly, and a great negotiator. She believes in a win/win solution. She specializes in rural properties but is experienced in all types. The whole Rogue Valley… Read more »
Fort Worth, Texas is a Gayborhood
Gay Fort Worth isn’t just one thing. And that’s what makes Fort Worth such a great city for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning people — whether you were born around here, came here by choice or were forced to come because of a job or other reason. Fort Worth’s gay community rarely speaks with… Read more »
Old San Diego Buildings Become New Residences
World over, buildings of bygone eras are refurbished and adapted to modern residential environments. What makes the subject so fascinating is the random way that each old structure must twist in order to provide adequate living space according to consumer demands. Apartment and loft living might be called the quintessential urban experience when they are… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: How To Make Money Buying Real Estate
How To Make Money Buying Real Estate You have to start somewhere when it comes to buying real estate. No matter where you are in the process, this article is designed to help you make wise choices so that your experience will be a success. When you think of buying a new home you should… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Gregg Klar, 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. Greg was chosen for the 2006 Agent Leadership Council, is a Top 10% Keller Williams Agents, has 8 years experience, and is an Austin native. See Gregg’s Expanded Listing… Read more »
The Seattle Condo Market Rebounded in 2013
The Seattle condo market rebounded significantly last year after bottoming out in February 2012. For many buyers, the market depicted quick turnover, rising prices and increased competition with multiple offers. Overall, Seattle realized $863,589,200 in total condominium sales volume in 2013, that’s a 17% increase from 2012 with unit sales rising 15.8% to 2,507 condos… Read more »
San Francisco’s Gayborhood Could Get a Hamburger Mary’s
The owner of the long dormant Patio Cafe eatery in the heart of San Francisco’s gay Castro district wants to open a Hamburger Mary’s at the location. The national burger chain launched in the city’s South of Market neighborhood in 1972 and quickly gained a loyal LGBT following. While that location shut down in 2001,… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Helpful Tips If You Are Considering Filing For Bankruptcy
Helpful Tips If You Are Considering Filing For Bankruptcy Bankruptcy comes with so many ups and downs, so many emotions and so many complications. To help sort it all out for you, the following article contains numerous helpful tips. With all that you have to worry about with a pending filing for perHelpful Tips If… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Bob Sedlor, 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. Bob is dedicated to finding you the house that feels like home. Georgetown and the surrounding area: Texas hill country living at it’s best and just a few minutes… Read more »
The Decline of Chelsea as a Gayborhood
Lost leases, rent increases, a shifting residential dynamic, and the influx of tourist and tech dollars are all playing their part in recasting the role of Eighth Avenue between 14th and 23rd Streets  the commercial spine of Chelsea. But this is not simply a story about the ever-gentrification of Manhattan, it’s also another telling… Read more »
Downtown Portland, Oregon YWCA Could Morph Into Condos or Apartments
A Bellevue, Wash., architect has bought the YWCA Building in downtown Portland with plans to turn it into residences with art-focused commercial space. Wei Zhang, principal architect at BDCL Design International, bought the building at 1111 S.W. 10th Ave. for $4.25 million in a venture with partners based in Vancouver, B.C., and China. The deal… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Mortgages And What You Should Learn About Them
Home Mortgages And What You Should Learn About Them If you want to make sure you make the right decision when it comes to a mortgage, then you’re going to want to read the information contained in this article. You never want to just learn everything as you go when it comes to mortgage companies…. Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Barbara Stone, Dallas, 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. Supporting our GLBT community by providing exceptional service, integrity and loyalty. There are several neighborhoods in Dallas that include GLBT families. I’ll show you the ones that meet your… Read more »
Who Gets Hurt by Gentrification?
Profiling some of New York’s newly mixed neighborhoods, Justin Davidson notes that the “link between a neighborhood’s economic fortunes and the number of people being forced to move away, while anecdotally obvious, is difficult to document”: In 2005, Lance Freeman, a professor of urban planning at Columbia, examined national housing statistics to see whether low-income… Read more »
The Most Progressive City in Florida May Surprise You
St Petersburg has become the model for GLBT inclusion in the state of Florida. For many years the city has been able to boast that it has the largest Gay Pride celebration in the state. The City Council has been supportive of the large gay community here voting unanimously in favor of Domestic Partner Registry… Read more »
Dallas’s Gayborhood Gets More Flights, Noise
On Monday morning, Southwest Airlines announced 15 new nonstop destinations it will add to its schedule from Dallas Love Field beginning in October. The city of Dallas, which owns and operates Love Field, recently completed a renovation and expansion of the main terminal in anticipation of additional service. The Wright Amendment restricted flights from Love… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Learn About The Tips That Separate The Real Estate Selling Pros From The Amateurs
Learn About The Tips That Separate The Real Estate Selling Pros From The Amateurs Some sellers out there really need to move their properties quick to make some money, and that can be difficult with how the market is today. With these tips, you will give yourself the best chance of selling your property at… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Esty Kurti, Charlotte, North Carolina
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. Expect world class customer service from Esty – she works with both buyers and sellers. See Esty’s Expanded Listing on Gay Realty Network Here Gay Friendly Realtors and Real… Read more »
Where is Columbus, Ohio’s Gayborhood?
Wikipedia has an answer: The Short North is a neighborhood centered on the main strip of North High Street immediately north of Downtown and extending until just south of the Ohio State University campus area. The Short North is heavily populated with art galleries, specialty shops, pubs, nightclubs, and coffee houses. It is considered Columbus’s… Read more »
Is Gentrification in Pennsylvania’s Gayborhood Forcing Out Independent Businesses?
Uhuru, the used-furniture store at Spruce at Camac streets, is moving after nearly two decades in its spot. If you’ve just bought furniture there, you may remember it for how incredibly crammed it is with furniture, which is nearly always stacked up in Jenga towers almost to the ceiling. It’s different from many thrift stores… Read more »
Seattle’s South Lake Union Rents Surpass Parts of San Francisco
Rental rates are creeping up in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood, surpassing prices in even some of the hottest neighborhoods in San Francisco. According to an analysis by online real estate company Trulia, the median rental price per bedroom in South Lake Union comes in at a whopping $2,248. That makes it the most expensive… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Buying Tips That Will Enlighten You On The Process
Home Buying Tips That Will Enlighten You On The Process You are looking for a house to buy. Whether this is your first house, a larger house for a growing family, or your retirement home, your excitement is tempered by a bit of anxiety. So much depends on this decision. The following tips are presented… Read more »
The Rights of Gay and Lesbian Homebuyers
Many gay and lesbian homebuyers aren’t aware that their rights in 2006 to a non-discriminatory home purchase process could be guaranteed by local or state laws. Mark Nash real estate author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home shares with single or partnered gay and lesbian home buyers some do’s and don’ts that… Read more »