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. Friendly, professional, caring, interested and definitely not high-pressured. That’s my style. There’s no place like home! Baltimore is a truly unique, bustling, fun city that is very welcoming and… Read more »
Monthly Archives: August 2014
Are Our Gayborhoods Fading?
At one of the oldest gay taverns in the city’s Boystown neighborhood, the regulars were sharing a laugh over what they had seen the night before at their watering hole: a gaggle of straight women. “It was like they were at a gay museum,” joked James Davies, 61, who has been a regular at Little… Read more »
Manhattan Condo Inventory, Prices Up
The Manhattan condo market saw a spike in the number of available units and prices in July, according to a real estate report released Thursday. StreetEasy’s report said the despite the 5.4% growth of inventory between July 2013 and this year, the number of available units is 16.2% below the five-year average level of inventory…. 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. I enjoy empowering my clients with my knowledge and expertise to assist them making the best property investment decisions. The East Bay offers the best housing prices in the… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Mortgage Tips That Can Help You Out
Home Mortgage Tips That Can Help You Out So you’re in search of that dream home and wondering what it takes in order to pay for it. That is where the home mortgage comes in, and you will want to understand how to get one. The tips in the article below are simple to follow,… Read more »
Where Are the New Condos in San Francisco?
NewConstructionSF.com as put together a great interactive map of the current sand pending condo projects across The City: For those you who are more visually inclined, here is our map of new construction condo homes across San Francisco. For your convenience, we have organized the condo buildings into three chronological groups – buildings that have… 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. Frank chose real estate in 1999 as a second career after serving the public school system for 25 years. The east side of Milwaukee is especially an area of… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Know What You Are Doing When Buying A Home
Know What You Are Doing When Buying A Home Learning about how to properly purchase real estate is how you will ultimately get the best bang for your buck out of this unpredictable market. Make sure you read this article before you decide to put your money down in the market. Knowing how to approach… Read more »
Nano Housing – The Next Big Thing?
In Seattle, developers are racing to build what has become a wildly popular new type of apartment complex: “congregate housing.” Miniature studios averaging 150 square feet are so tightly packed that foldaway beds must be stowed during the day. Instead of an eat-in kitchen, residents can sometimes share cooking space with 30 other people down… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Brent Anderson, Edmonton, Alberta, 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. Providing professional service to my clients, while educating them through the process. Edmonton is a thriving City, with many festivals, events to take in year round. See Brent’s Expanded… Read more »
Renters Beware! Don’t Get Caught in the ‘Renter’s Trap’
In a recent press release, Zillow stated that the affordability of the nation’s rental inventory is currently much worse than affordability of the country’s home sale inventory. The release revealed two things: Nationally, renter’s signing a lease at the end of the second quarter paid 29.5% of their income to rent U.S. home buyers at the end of… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: It Is Important To Keep Your Home Clean When You Are Trying To Sell It
It Is Important To Keep Your Home Clean When You Are Trying To Sell It Selling real estate in today’s market can be a frustrating experience, but it is often a necessary one. However, with a little bit of inside knowledge on the subject, the confusing world of real estate can become an easier one… Read more »
US Existing Home Sales Up, New Home Sales Down
Sales of existing homes shot up in July. Sales of newly-built homes fell. Behind the numbers, however, lurked the same old story: The housing market has yet to fully recover. The Commerce Department reported Monday that new home sales dropped 2.4 percent from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 412,000. Normal would be… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Suzanne Dana, Williamsburg, Virginia
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. Suzanne is a vibrant person whose energy is contagious. Suzanne’s priority is her clients! Williamsburg, Virginia (VA) is an open-minded city and is generally gay-friendly. See Suzanne’s Expanded Listing… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Home Mortage Tips And Tricks For Experts And Novices Alike
Home Mortage Tips And Tricks For Experts And Novices Alike Perhaps you would like to sell your current home and purchase a different one, or are looking for your first home. In either case, you will need a home mortgage. The information in this article can guide you through the many details of obtaining a… Read more »
Bookstore to Return to the Philadelphia Gayborhood
The nation’s oldest gay bookstore will reopen next month in Philadelphia after closing three months ago due to financial problems. Philly AIDS Thrift says it’s taking over the shop called Giovanni’s Room. It had closed in May after 41 years, citing competition from online outlets. Philly AIDS Thrift already operates a secondhand store whose proceeds… Read more »
National Foreclosure Inventory
The National Foreclosure Inventory showed us good news! Foreclosures are down approximately 35% from last year!
Terry’s Blog: You Against The World – The Most Important Real Estate Selling Tips Available
You Against The World – The Most Important Real Estate Selling Tips Available You might have a lot of ideas about how to fix up that home and market it to the public, but you should always be careful of investing time or money if you don’t know what you’re doing. Check out this article… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Kathia Viquez, San Antonio, 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. With almost 10 years of Real Estate experince I strive to make all of my customers happy home owners! San Antonio is a big city with a small town… Read more »
Are Bars Leaving the Gayborhoods?
Understandably, the LGBT community has created strongholds in urban environments where strength in numbers offers inhabitants a voice as well as safety. Because of this, many cities have nationally recognized gay neighborhoods where we are able to live and thrive. But in the past decade we have noticed more and more of us moving into… Read more »
Sacramento Gayborhood to Get a Whole Foods
Lavender Heights, the Sacramento gayborhood, is set to get its own Whole Foods market. The Sacramento Bee reports: After years of rumors that Whole Foods Market might come to midtown Sacramento, the Texas-based grocery chain said Wednesday it had signed a lease for a new location at 20th and L streets. “We are excited to… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Scott Cotrell, 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. You will find I’m patient, diligent, and the professional who will work tirelessly to reach the goals we set together. Portland is diverse, accepting, environmentally- friendly and has an… Read more »
New Grocery Store Coming to Chicago Gayborhood
Mariano’s Fresh Market, a Chicago-area grocery store brand, has been given approval to build a new development at 3030 N. Broadway, just south of Boystown’s Broadway corridor. In addition to a two-story, 71,000 sq. ft. grocery store, the new commercial structure will also house a 40,000 sq. ft. XSport Fitness. The now-defunct Dominick’s Finer Foods… Read more »
Price Per Square Foot Unmasked
 Price per square footage analytics are generally a waste of time. Price per square foot is a number that boils down dozens of unique factors in a house or condo and attempts to bundle them into one tiny package. Unfortunately, all it really does is instill a false sense of confidence. It takes away all of… Read more »
Terry”s Blog: The Advice You Need When Purchasing Real Estate
The Advice You Need When Purchasing Real Estate Purchasing a home is a major investment, and the last thing you want to do is have to invest more money than you anticipated. Finding a reputable home inspector to check out the house prior to the sale, is important to save yourself from potential homeowner nightmares…. Read more »
What Upgrades Are Worth It to Sell Your House?
If you’ve dreamed of a sparkling new kitchen and finally open the wallet and make it happen, enjoy it! But if you’re hoping it will add major dollars to the sale of your home, well, time to think again. Buyers want all the goodies, for sure, but remember the adage “the best we can get… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Mortgage Lender: Kevin Hoover, 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. Offering premium service and fantastic rates & programs to the LGBT community in New Mexico. See Kevin’s Expanded Listing on Gay Realty Network Here Gay Friendly Realtors and Real… Read more »
Los Angeles Gayborhoods Evolving
At less than two square miles, West Hollywood has always proven that size doesn’t matter. The small but mighty city has marched to the beat of its own drum since Moses Sherman bought the land in 1894 to set up shop for his enterprise, the Los Angeles Pacific Railway Co. The settlement grew into worker… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Tim Cardy, Santa Barbara, 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. Allow me to help you find your dream home! We have a wide range of community groups and a strong presence in Santa Barbara. See Tim’s Expanded Listing on… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Get Your Home Mortgage Questions Answered Here
Get Your Home Mortgage Questions Answered Here Mortgages, like any other loan, are a serious endeavor to undertake. Thankfully, a mortgage is backed by a home, meaning you will have an easier time paying it off if you must, but it can still sink you if you don’t complete the process smartly. Read on to… Read more »
Unrealistic Expectations of Buyers and Sellers
Buyers and sellers have been known to have unrealistic expectations in approaching the housing market and they say the funniest things.  Foolish Talk: Buyers and sellers who buy into some foolish thinking will not find success in today’s Orange County real estate market.  Real estate professionals from all corners of Orange County have provided plenty… Read more »
Where are the Mortgage Rates Headed?
 The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to look at where rates are headed when deciding to buy now or wait until next year.According to a recent article in Kiplinger, 30 year… 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. I pride myself on total client satisfaction, honesty, professionalism; making real estate transactions as fun and stress free as possible. One of United States “Most Livable Regions” and highest… Read more »
New Waterfront Condos Planned for Seattle
Kevin Daniels said Friday that he plans to buy an old brick building next to CenturyLink Field and develop a condominium project there. Real estate developers, including Daniels, have long tried to develop the triangular Seattle Plumbing Supply Building at Railroad Way South and Occidental Avenue South. The group that is selling the property to… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Ways To Help Sell Real Estate!
Ways To Help Sell Real Estate! Now that you have decided to sell your home, you are looking forward to relocating and getting started with your new life. In order to sell your home quickly and move, there are a few simple tips listed below that will help to have your home sold in not… Read more »
What’s the Future of the Castro?
Are gay neighborhoods dying? There’s been ceaseless chatter the past couple of years that the Castro is turning straight, and that San Francisco’s unaffordability is making it almost impossible for new generations of young LGBT people to keep the torch lit. But until now, no one had attempted a comprehensive look at just how things… Read more »
5 Reasons You Shouldn’t For Sale By Owner
Some homeowners consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). We think there are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are five of our reasons: 1. There Are Too Many People to Negotiate… Read more »
Should Gay Millennials Be Considering Buying a Home?
Last weekend, I hosted an open house in Kalorama. My property, a newly listed studio condominium, much larger than your average micro-efficiency, was full of charm and priced just above $220,000, very reasonable for the Kalorama market. This was truly a first-time buyer’s dream place. With each passing walk-in, I made two observations. First, half… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Things That You Should Be Aware Of When You Sell In The Real Estate Market
Things That You Should Be Aware Of When You Sell In The Real Estate Market Real estate can be a very confusing business. Just when you think it’s a seller’s market, someone comes along and tells you that it’s a buyer’s market. But what does any of that stuff really mean anyway? Read this article… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Tips You Need To Know Before Hiring A Carpet Cleaner
Tips You Need To Know Before Hiring A Carpet Cleaner Your carpet works hard for you, day in and day out. Over time, dirt and stains are unavoidable, and they can make your carpet look worn and dull. You need to hire a reliable carpet cleaning company to thoroughly clean your carpet to breath life… Read more »
New York: Theatre in the Gayborhood Making a Comeback
“Historically, the West Village has always been artist friendly, especially to theater,” says Danny Feldman, managing director of Labyrinth Theater Company. The Village’s quiet, tree-lined streets have always offered a cheaper alternative to Broadway. Despite the neighborhood’s rich history, theater has floundered here for the past few decades. It seemed to many that the Village’s… Read more »
Restaurants in San Diego’s Extended Gayborhood
San Diego LGBT Weekly wanted to take a close look at the restaurant offerings in the expanded gayborhood. We ate our way through Mission Hills, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park, Adams Avenue and South Park. Needless to say, we had to make our “Foodies’ Delight” feature have a part two in our next… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Great Advice About Home Mortgages That Anyone Can Easily Follow
Great Advice About Home Mortgages That Anyone Can Easily Follow Getting a home mortgage can sometimes be very difficult. If you are looking for your dream home and in search of a mortgage, then you will want good information about what to look for. Continue to the article below for many tips on how to… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Embody These Tactics To Make The Most Out Of Your Real Estate Sale
Embody These Tactics To Make The Most Out Of Your Real Estate Sale When you are trying to sell your real estate property, it is important that you have the information you need to get the most of your sale. This applies to profit and ease of transaction. This article will provide you with the… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Tips For Buying A Home Without Loosing Your Shirt
Tips For Buying A Home Without Loosing Your Shirt Purchasing real estate is serious! Make it a wise investment by taking the right approach. Real estate can be a long or short-term investment, dependent on what you hope to garner for your expenditure. It is important to make sure it will be a secure investment,… Read more »
Queerbomb Livens Up Dallas Gayborhood
In terms of gay culture in Dallas, on face, it looks like we have a lot. Ask anyone where the “gayborhood” in Dallas is, and they’ll point you toward the intersection of Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn, where “The Strip” is located. Here, you’ll find almost all of the city’s sprawling, multi-level gay bars and… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Get The Answers To Your Home Mortgage Questions
Get The Answers To Your Home Mortgage Questions When you pursue financing on a home mortgage, there is a lot of information you will need to have. It maybe hard to find good information as you do your searches. Fortunately you will find some of the best tips consolidated in the following article. Read on… Read more »
Either Way, You’re Still Paying a Mortgage
 There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage – either your mortgage or your landlord’s. As a paper from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: How To Successfully Gauge Real Estate Before Purchasing
How To Successfully Gauge Real Estate Before Purchasing Taking a step into the mysterious land of buying real estate for the very first time might feel somewhat daunting. By keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself buying the property of your dreams, all while using some helpful information that… Read more »
US Middle Class 20% Poorer Than in 1984
Nostalgia is just about the only thing the middle class can still afford. That’s because median wealth is about 20 percent lower today, in inflation-adjusted dollars, than it was in 1984. Yes, that’s three lost decades. Now, as you might expect, the middle class has been hit particularly hard by the Great Recession and the… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: You Can Be Knowledgeable About Coupons With Great Tips In The Article Below
You Can Be Knowledgeable About Coupons With Great Tips In The Article Below Shopping isn’t an easy task. You have to make a list, and you have to be prepared ahead of time if you don’t want to overspend. However, with the right knowledge and information concerning coupons, you can save much money on your… Read more »
Exploring DC’s Real Estate Gayborhoods
Do you really know where you live? When I started selling real estate in D.C. in the 1990s there were a number of neighborhood monikers that had withstood the test of time. Everyone knew Georgetown, for example, with its expensive properties and the restaurants and shops that lined M Street and Wisconsin Avenue. Nearby Foggy… Read more »
Condo Prices Up Again Along the West Coast
Condominium prices rose again in June in downtown Los Angeles, San Francisco and downtown Seattle, according to The Mark Company’s Condominium Pricing Index. According to The Mark Company Trend Sheets, the value of new construction condominiums in downtown Los Angeles was up eight percent in June over the previous year. In San Francisco, the value… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Need Help With Selling Your Home? Follow These Practical Real Estate Tips!
Need Help With Selling Your Home? Follow These Practical Real Estate Tips! 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… Read more »
Featured Gay Friendly Realtor: Martin Withrow, Palm Springs
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. I’ll use my mid-western work ethic, enthusiasm, negotiating skills and creative background to buy or sell your desert oasis. Palm Springs is one of the most beautiful backdrops to… Read more »
Provincetown Becoming Less Gay
This season in Provincetown has been very striking. It’s nearly a decade since I wrote The End Of Gay Culture for TNR, but only now that the small drip-drip-drip of change seems to have reached a tipping point. The Ptown I came to in the late 1980s is gone forever. Back then, the crowds that… Read more »
Is the Seattle Gayborhood Vanishing?
Census data show the number of same-sex couple households increased in nearly every neighborhood in Seattle between 2000 and 2012.* Citywide, the number jumped 52 percent, bringing the total to about 7,500 households. The big exception: Capitol Hill. Seattle’s “gayborhood†experienced a 23 percent drop in same-sex couple households in this period. The Census Bureau… Read more »
The Best Cities for Gay Retirees
Let’s face it, when we try to figure out the best place for our retirement, we usually want to find people of like minds. If you are a liberal Democrat who has frequently donated to the ACLU, you probably aren’t going to want to retire in Reagan Country. Or, if you have a Fox News… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Common Answers To Home Mortgage Questions
Common Answers To Home Mortgage Questions It isn’t impossible to get an amazing mortgage – one you can afford which offers the amount of money you need to buy or renovate your home – but it does take effort. The first step is to do your research, learning about mortgages. The tips below will make… Read more »
Vertical Agriculture
The 21st century has seen rapid urbanisation and the global population is now expected to grow to more than 8.3 billion by 2050. Currently, 800m hectares – 38% of the earth’s land surface – is farmed and we’ll soon need to give over another 100m hectares if we continue to use current agricultural methods. That’s… Read more »
Why Have 52 Restaurants Closed in the San Diego Gayborhood?
Hillcrest is one of the most popular dining destinations in San Diego but many in the community have expressed concern about the number of restaurants that have opened and closed in recent years. Fifth Avenue between Robinson and Washington has been a particularly hard hit area with six vacant storefronts, and in the last several… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: The Best Advice To Home Sales You Never Heard
The Best Advice To Home Sales You Never Heard Real estate transactions and real estate selling in general have never been a simple matter, but these days selling real estate is more difficult and complicated than ever. Not only is it hard to find qualified buyers, new regulations have also changed the game. Today’s market… Read more »
Did Department of Justice Pressure Transgender Woman to Settle Housing Case?
A transgender woman and her partner have settled a lawsuit alleging unfair housing practices by an Athens RV park owner. The Cedar Creek Lake-area couple say they are not happy with the settlement and that the Department of Justice pressured them to accept $4,000 to settle the suit. The case was based on an Obama… Read more »
Chicago Gayborhood Still Going Strong
While new research shows Boystown is becoming a more fragmented LGBT community, Lakeview officials say the “gayborhood” is most certainly here to stay. The analysis is detailed in “There Goes the Gayborhood?” written by suburban Chicago native Amin Ghaziani, now an associate professor of sociology at the University of British Columbia. It looks at things… Read more »
What Homeownership Can Mean for You
When you’ve never owned your home, your relationship to it is less personal. Let’s face it, when something goes wrong in your rented apartment, you call the landlord or manager to fix it. You don’t worry about insurance against natural disasters, save up for that new roof or upgraded furnace, or myriad other requirements of… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Tips To Deal With The Market When Buying Your Dream Home
Tips To Deal With The Market When Buying Your Dream Home Buying a home (or indeed any kind of property) is a big decision – one of the biggest in the homeowner’s life. Getting onto the real estate market is not a step to take unprepared. Learning about the buying process well in advance can… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Techniques For A Quick And Painless Home Sale
Techniques For A Quick And Painless Home Sale Selling your home can be a daunting task. There is so much to do and so much to think about. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the process, or by just the thought of it, this article has some advice for you. Below are some great tips… Read more »
How to Sell for Full Price
Often, homeowners try to “test the market†with a higher than fair-market price when first listing their home. That can be a poor marketing strategy. When your agent tries to talk you out of it: Listen! How to sell for full price? Setting “too high a price†will be too high a price for you… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Top Tips For Buying Some Real Estate
Top Tips For Buying Some Real Estate If you have been waiting to buy a home, now is the time. There are so many wonderful opportunities out there for anyone who has been thinking about getting into the housing market. This article will walk you through some steps that you can take to get a… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Sell Your Home Quickly And Easily With These Tips
Sell Your Home Quickly And Easily With These Tips Trying to sell your home for what it is really worth can be hard when the economy is struggling. It is important that you make a selling plan for yourself. This article can help you write that plan, by giving you many tips that you will… Read more »
Buying a House? 4 Reasons to DO IT NOW
Here are four great reasons to consider buying a house today, instead of waiting. 1. PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO RISE The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report projects appreciation in home values over the next five years to be between 30.8% (most… Read more »
Terry’s Blog: Get All Your Questions About Home Mortgages Answered Here
Get All Your Questions About Home Mortgages Answered Here Your mortgage can make you or break you. Buying a home is a crucial choice that requires the necessary information ahead of time. Knowing all you should know can help make the best decision. Get your documents ready before you go to a mortgage lender. You… Read more »