Jun 15, 2024 - Business
LGBTQ+-friendly home buying tips
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
For LGBTQ+ people shopping for a home, there is support.
Tommie L. Wehrle, broker and LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance member, offered a few tips and resources to know.
What might discrimination look like in the house-hunting process for LGBTQ+ people?
It is often so subtle, the person or people may not even be aware or know they are being treated differently, denied access or given false information.
- For example, someone refers you to an agent, you meet with this agent, and they start suggesting other areas to live in besides the one you wanted. Are they "steering" you because you are LGTBQ+ or is it really because there is nothing in that area that meets your needs or price range?
Do you have tips for LGBTQ+ people going through the process? Are there things to keep in mind for safety?
- Find an LGBTQ+-friendly agent.
- Do your research about the area you are moving to; find out how inclusive they are. You can use sites like HRC.org or the ACLU.
- Trust your instincts. If you feel you are not being treated properly, say something.
How can real estate pros be better allies?
- Start with becoming more aware of your bias or "unconscious" bias. Becoming aware of yours is good news; now you can do something about them.
- If someone uses their pronouns, use yours. It may seem awkward for you; if it is, then practice.
- To be an authentic ally, speak up when you hear a fellow agent or someone in our industry say/post something that is dismissive or inaccurate about LGBTQ+ communities.
