Monthly Archives: July 2018

Living in West Hollywood

Posted on July 30, 2018 in Buying a Home

West Hollywood, sometimes called WeHo, is a part of Los Angeles. It’s one of the largest and most recognized LGBTQ neighborhoods in the country. More than a third of the population identifies as LGBTQ, and the city was one of the first to incorporate protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation. In addition to being home to many people in the community, West Hollywood is also a major tourist destination, and many visit the city to experience its nightlife, restaurants, and spas.

Where Is West Hollywood?

As you might expect, West Hollywood sits to the west of Hollywood and to the south of Hollywood Hills. Unlike some similarly named cities, West Hollywood wasn’t a part of Hollywood that grew too big and broke away. Instead, it was founded and formed from unincorporated land. One of the most famous landmarks in WeHo, the Sunset Strip, has actually been used as a major street since 1780! Later, during the 1920s, the land around the strip was developed by casinos and other gambling establishments because the Los Angeles banned gambling. Since the Strip was outside the city limits, it was still legal to gamble there.

The LGBTQ Community in WeHo

West Hollywood’s LGBTQ culture had its beginnings in the Counterculture Movement. This movement started in the 1960s and, for the LGBTQ community, reached its peak in the violent raids on the bars on the Sunset Strip. These raids started in 1966 following a number of encounters between members of the community and LA Police. The police eventually began aggressively monitoring gay bars on the strip, which resulted in a number of protests and, eventually, riots. These riots took place several years before Stonewall, and many see them as the first LGBTQ protests to gain significant attention.

WeHo Today

Today, things are much more peaceful in West Hollywood. The city hosts LA Pride and a number of other events. The city’s Twitter account says its home to over 25 gay bars, shops, and restaurants. The West Hollywood Library contains a large collection of LGBT literature and nonfiction pieces, while the June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives contains an extensive collection of pieces chronicling lesbian history.

In politics, the city was the first to have a majority of the members of its five-person city council identify as LGBTQ. The city offers a number of free medical services through the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and the LA Free Clinic as well as offering a number of programs for the elderly through the West Hollywood Senior Center. For these reasons, WeHo is often seen as a great retirement destination for LGBTQ seniors.

If you’re considering a move to West Hollywood, contact a gay or lesbian real estate professional today. They will be able to help you navigate the real estate market in the city.

The Best Cities for LGBTQ Entrepreneurs

Posted on July 23, 2018 in LGBT News

Are you thinking about starting your own business? Being an entrepreneur can be risky anywhere, but for those in the LGBTQ community, it can be even more of a risk in some parts of the country. If you open a business in a conservative area and people later learn you’re LGBTQ, they may stop shopping with you or hiring you for your services. On the other hand, there are some cities where LGBTQ businesses are flourishing. Here are some tips for determining if you’ve found one of the best places to start your business.

You’re in One of these States

According to a report from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, about half of all of the LGBTQ-owned businesses are in one of these five states:

California
Florida
Georgia
New York
Texas

These states are known for being great places for small businesses and startups, but they’re also known for being home to many large corporations and Fortune 500 companies. Many of these companies are dedicated to hiring a diverse workforce and to helping small businesses by outsourcing work to them or by making them part of a larger supply chain.

The NGLCC Has Certified Businesses in the City

Another thing to look for is if there are NGLCC-certified businesses in the area. While only a small number of LGBTQ-owned businesses have sought certification, it can be helpful to know that there are other businesses owned by members of the community in the area. It’s also important to remember that most of these certified companies are medium-sized business. Those that bring in less than $1 million dollars a year rarely seek certification.

Are there Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals in the Area?

Another thing to look for is LGBTQ real estate professionals. If you can find one of these experts in your city, they can often help you network with other LGBTQ professionals. They may also be able to help you find commercial property to lease for your business.

Look for LGBTQ-Friendly Places to Live

Any city that’s ranked highly on the HRC list of top LGBTQ-friendly cities could be a good choice for your new business. Just remember that starting a business and looking for a place to live are two different things. For example, San Francisco is very welcoming to LGBTQ people, but it’s a very expensive city. Opening a new business there will require much more startup capital than a business in Texas would. Keep that in mind when considering where you want to start your company.

Selling Your Home to Millennials

Posted on July 13, 2018 in Uncategorized

It’s true that Millennials have been slow to jump into the home-buying market, but today, these individuals are hitting their mid to late 30s, and many of them are starting to want a house of their own. In fact, surveys have shown that about one out of every three potential buyer is a Millennial. As an LGBTQ home owner, does this help or hurt you when it comes to selling?

Younger Buyers Are Often Very Accepting

Selling to a younger buyer often means that they’re more accepting of the LGBTQ community. That’s not always the case, of course, but more often than not you’ll find that they don’t care what your sexuality is, they’re simply looking for the perfect home. That doesn’t mean you should leave your rainbow flag flying or pictures of you and your partner all over the house, though. Always follow the rule of de-cluttering and removing personal effects before you show the property, even if you’re still living there. You want the buyer to see themselves in the property, not feel like they’re invading your home.

Make Your Home Technology-Friendly

Have issues with your WiFi in certain parts of the house? You may want to invest in an extender or repeater and leave it for the new owners. Millennials have grown up in the technological age, and they’re going to want to have a home that’s technology-friendly. Put in a smart thermostat, add smart switches and plugs, and make other small, inexpensive technology upgrades. It will give your home a wow factor plus make it more attractive to younger buyers.

In Fact, Make Use of Technology to Market to Millennials

When you’re looking for a gay or lesbian real estate agent to help you sell your home, make sure the agent you select makes use of online marketing and other online methods of selling your home. Millennials usually start their house search online. You want to make certain that your home is out there, has great pictures, and even has a full virtual tour available. Millennials want to do as much of the work as possible online. Few have the time to visit dozens of houses and decide if a property is right for them. Instead, they go online and quickly cut any property that doesn’t meet their needs. If you don’t have information about your home online, it’s likely to never even be considered.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when you’re selling to younger buyers. If you know Millennials are moving into your area, be sure to work with your agent to make your home as enticing to these younger buyers as you can.