Most people are familiar with real estate agents who specialize. Some work only in a certain area or neighborhood, while others specialize in historic houses or new buildings. But lately, a new type of specialized realtor has appeared: the gay and lesbian real estate agent. These realtors work primarily with members of the LGBT community in helping them find their dream house or sell their current property. Some people may wonder why realtors are choosing to focus on this certain demographic.
One might expect all of these realtors to be gay themselves, and almost all of them are. The opposite is not always true—while most gay and lesbian realtors do have a large percentage of LGBT clients, many also work with straight buyers and sellers. Many also work in offices that are not predominately gay, but are very supportive, although those who work in real estate offices in areas like the Castro District of San Francisco may have a large number of gay and lesbian coworkers.
One of the reasons more and more gay and lesbian realtors are starting to advertise their sexuality is that many LGBT people are no longer looking to live in gay communities. While there are still gay people who want a home in Washington D.C’s Dupont Circle, just as many want to live in other areas of the city. This means they’re looking at a much larger area, and they may need more help from a realtor.
Some gays and lesbians are simply more comfortable with a realtor who understands their experiences and the language they speak. A LGBT agent wouldn’t, for example, show much shock or surprise when a man calls another man his husband or his boyfriend. A straight agent might. Even those it may be a small moment of surprise or discomfort, it’s still enough to damage the working relationship between the couple and the realtor. When you’re looking to make a purchase that’s as large as buying a home, you have to be comfortable with the person representing you. If you or your realtor isn’t, the process may not go as smoothly as it might otherwise.
Gay couples still fear being rejected or discriminated against. These specialty agents see that there is a need for realtors who understand and are a part of the LGBT community. By putting those fears at ease immediately, potential buyers and sellers won’t have to deal with the stress of hiding their sexuality or pretending to be something they’re not.