Why is the New Port Richey Florida area So Attractive to Gay Homeowners?

Home ownership is important for many

reasons. Owning a home gives you the piece of mind and security most of us want. You can also look at owning a home as a way to secure your financial future and although the New Port Richey Florida area real estate market is on the rise, you can still find an affordable home in the area.  Being your gay realtor in the western Pasco county area it is my job to help you find the right home. New Port Richey is on the Gulf of Mexico and offers many waterfront dining choices as well as boating along the Cotee River and the Gulf.  New Port Richey also has gay nightlife with local clubs and many gay owned businesses.

With St. Pete and Tampa just a short drive away, many gay couples and single gay people are taking advantage of the affordability of the New Port Richey area whether you are looking for a gated 55+ community or not, you can find a home to fit your budget in our area.  Lets look at the affordability. Right now interest rates on home loans are low. Lets say you find a home in the New Port Richey area and after your down payment you finance $90,000. With an interest rate of 4.5% on a 30 year mortgage your monthly payment for principle and interest would be about $456.02.  I just did a quick search of homes priced between $75,000 and $95,000 from New Port Richey, Port Richey and southern Hudson and found 1,327 homes active on the market. 307 of these homes have private pools in the back yard. 

Affordability and the quaint location of New

Port Richey is why my partner and I live here. I am close to the communities I serve as a Realtor and we can be at the Flamingo Resort in St. Pete in under an hour. Our property taxes annually are under $500 after homestead exemption and we live in a modest pool home in Port Richey. 

You can relay on my experience and knowledge to help you or anyone you know who may need the services of a gay real estate agent in the western Pasco county area. Contact me online 24/7 and I will respond the next business day.

US Supreme Court Rules on Marriage Equality June 26, 2015

Where were you the day the US Supreme

Court ruled that same sex couples have the right to marry under the law in all 50 states? It was a work day for me, your gay real estate agent and having a TV in my office I was watching Wendy Williams when the president interrupted the broadcast to announce that SCOTUS had ruled in favor of marriage equality.

It is a wonderful day for all people of America who supported the fight to allow couples who have been together for decades to marry. Being a Realtor(R) I have a deep rooted belief that all people deserve to own a home if they so choose and now many gay couples who already own homes together have legal protection under marriage. I'm happy for the gay youth in America who will be able to marry whomever they love and live their lives as a legally married couple.

My partner and I are genuinely happy for everyone who is planning on getting married in the near future and to all this who have had to wait decades for this day to come....your fight is over. 

Hiring a Gay Real Estate Agent in Pasco County Florida

Often times when a gay person or couple want to buy or sell a

home, they seek out the best real estate agent for the job. One who has the experience and knowledge to assist them with their real estate transaction. You will want to be sure that the gay real estate professional you choose is the best choice to get the job done.  Don't be shy about asking for references or how long they have been in the business or even how many homes they have sold in the current market.  You are hiring this person to perform a service for you and you should know as much about the Realtor(R) as possible.  The first thing I suggest you ask is whether or not the real estate agent you are speaking with is a Realtor(R) or not. Not all real estate agents are Realtors(R) and as Realtors(R) we are held to a higher level of service and ethical treatment of our customers and the public.  In our area only a Realtor(R) has access to the MLS system so hiring an agent who is not a Realtor(R) will put you at a big disadvantage.

Almost all of my gay real estate customers contacted me because I was a local gay real estate agent.  My experience and knowledge only reinforced that I was the right person for the job.  Maybe you think it doesn't matter if you hire a gay real estate professional, and your right. Not all gay people wish to only seek out other gay people to do business with but if you are looking for a gay Realtor(R), here are a few things to ask before committing to work with them or get into a 3-6 month listing agreement with them.

Things to ask your Gay Real Estate Agent:

• How long have you had your real estate license and of that time, how long have you been working in real estate?
• Do you run your real estate business full time or part time? **Part time agents are a challenge to work with**
• What are your business hours and when are you available by phone?
• How many homes have you sold in the last 12 months?
• How will you market and advertise my home for sale?
• How many homes in the area do you preview to stay up on local inventory?
• Do you advertise on Social Media?
• Do You Blog?
• Do you do virtual tours of homes you have listed?
• Do you have a way for buyers to sign documents electronically? 

Obviously you can ask these questions of any real estate agent you speak with.  Don't be afraid to act like they are on a job interview. Seasoned professionals like myself are use to it and we are prepared to work to get the job.  Over they years I have realized that my gay customers contacted me at first because I was gay.  You want to feel comfortable with the people around you and even more so when buying or selling your home. If you or someone you know is looking for a gay real estate agent in Pasco county Florida, contact me online and we can discuss your goals and how I can help you achieve them. 

Member of The National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals

St. Pete Gay Pride is Coming June 27, 2015

St. Petersburg Florida has one of the best Pride

Weekend Festivals in the Tampa Bay area.  People of all walks and from all over the world come together in St. Pete for the annual Gay Pride Parade and Festival.  This year, with the legalization of same sex marriage in Florida I am sure that we will see even more people participating in the St. Pete Gay Pride Festival.  Although there are events throughout the month of June, the Parade is June 27, followed by the street pride festival on June 28th.  You can see a full list of Gay Pride events in St. Pete by popping over and visiting the St. Pete Pride Website 

My partner and I are planning to make our way down to the St. Pete Pride Festival and watch the parade on Saturday the 27th that starts at 5:00pm and is expected to last until 10:00pm. The parade route is along Central Ave in St. Pete and when the parade is over there are plenty of bars and clubs in the area to keep your gay pride weekend party going.  

Helping the Gay community in western Pasco county to buy and sell real estate has been a big part of my business and I look forward to assisting more of my Gay family members in the future.  If you or someone you know in the Trinity, New Port Richey, Port Richey or Hudson area that is in need of a gay real estate agent please contact me online anytime and I will respond within 24 hours or less.

written by Mike Gallo. Pride Image Courtesy of Wikipedia. 

5 FREE and EASY Tips to Selling Your Home as A Gay Person

Selling your home can be stressful if you let it.  Many gay people and gay couples find the idea of selling their home exciting since you are moving forward into another chapter of your life but sometimes the idea of opening up our homes to strangers is a little stressful.  

1- Weed your flower beds and add fresh mulch or gravel. Buyers will start to critique your home from the street so curb appeal is important.

2- Pressure wash or paint the outside of your home if needed. Why? See Number 1.

3- De-Clutter.  My friend Jim likes to cal this "de-gayifying" the house.  The less knick knacks or collectables the buyers see the better.  We want them focused on the rooms and not your collectables.  Maybe swap out your Tom of Finland art for something more bland and that Herb Ritts book....lets get that put away too.  A good rule of thumb is "3". No more than 3 items per shelf, counter or table surface. 

4- Start Packing! Yes, start packing up anything you will not be using in the next 3-6 months. Motivated buyers like motivated sellers and having  a few boxes in the garage or bedroom shows the buyers your motivation.  Buyers are ready to buy and close on the house and if your home loss like you are settled in for the next 30 years, they may think your timeframe to sell does not fit their timeframe to buy.

5- SHOWTIME! Stage your home and mood for all showings.  Turn down the air conditioning and turn on your ceiling fans. A hot house in Florida is not inviting to your buyers. Turn on all the main living area lights and lights in parts of the home that may be dark like hallways or bathrooms with poor natural light.  Play soft music in the background and light a melt warmer or candle in a light, fresh scent (lemon grass, linen, etc..) to make your house feel like a home and some place the buyer can see themselves living. 

The rest of the job is up to your Realtor(R) we will advertise and market your home to get the buyers in the door but the presentation of the house is something we cannot control.  Contact me online if you or someone you know is in need of a real estate professional to assist in selling or buying a home in the western Pasco county Florida areas of Port Richey, New Port Richey or Trinity Florida. 

http://www.mikegallo.realtor 

Are Gay Couples Feeling Pressure to Get Married?

Marriage equality was passed in Florida this

January which is a great move forward for not only the Florida LGBT community but the state of Florida as well.  My partner and I not only watched the marriage equality fight, but we joined the fight and supported the movement as much as we could.  Like many gay couples, we were very happy with the recognition that we were not given the same rights as others and having the right to marry in Florida was a huge missing piece to to our citizenship puzzle.  We know there is much more work to do in other states and we have further to go until every US citizen has the right to marry but I am seeing this new pressure for gay couples to get married. 

Let's face it. There are a lot of straight couples who have children together and never get married.  There are others who don't have kids and never get married.  Your gay friends are no different.  Marriage is something to be entered into after serious consideration.  My partner and I always say that we will only get married once and therefore our weeding is taking some serious planning.  More than a few of my friends are experiencing the pressure to get married. "When are you getting married?" is a question I was asked a lot right after Florida's decision to allow gay marriages.  Pressuring gay couples to get married may result in them making a decisions in haste that may not be the best decision for their future.

Don't get me wrong, I love that our family and 

friends are supporting us and want to be included in our wedding. Marriage is a serious thing and should never be taken lightly and lets face it, the location and reception takes a lot of wedding planning and decision making.  I'm sure there are many gay couples who don't want to get married and will not get married and that is just fine.  Keep in mind that although gay couples have the right to marry in Florida, not every gay couple will get married.  I was told "you fought so hard for the right to marry, what's taking so long to do it?".  Hey, thanks for the guilt but having the right to marry does not mean we are required to get married and I don't think any gay couple should rush into marriage.  

If you are a gay couple or know of a gay

couple or person looking to sell or buy a home in the New Port Richey, Port Richey or Trinity Florida area, contact me so I can help.  I am your local gay real state agent in western Pasco county Florida and I will work diligently for you to help you reach your goals.

  

Are the Gayborhoods of St.Pete and Tampa Out of Your Financial Reach?

Gayborhoods are always a desired place to live and raise your family.  We feel safe and secure knowing that we have like minded neighbors who share common interests with us and let's face it, keep their homes looking good.  Often times when a "Gayborhood" begins to develop the community is in need of revitalization and in the early years you can get a heck of a deal on the home and people call their gay real estate agent and get started. 

Over time there are more people who want to live in the Gayborhood and increased demand to live in the area will always drive up the homes market values.  Some people will pay a high price to live in a community that they feel comfortable in and is well maintained and attractive.  There are such communities in St.Petersburg and Tampa Florida in both the Ybor district (Gaybor) or Kenwood in St. Pete.  These communities are highly desired by or fellow gay peers for their proximity to nightlife, shopping, dining and the overall "family community" feel.  These wonderful communities come at a price.  I understand that not everyone can afford to purchase a home or condominium in these areas.

Whether you can afford to buy in these

neighborhoods and want to spend less on your home or you can't afford these neighborhoods but you want to buy a house or condo, I am here to help.  Here in Pasco county in the cities of Port Richey and New Port Richey I can help you buy a home that you will love at an affordable price.  Richey now I know of a few waterfront homes that you can purchase for under $200,000. Hello! I know where you can buy a 2 bedroom condominium in a gated 55+ community for under $30,000.  We may not have "Gayborhoods" but we have a large gay community in Port Richey and New Port Richey.  

If you or someone you know is interested in selling or buying a home in Port Richey or New Port Richey Florida and wants a gay real estate agent, contact me and I will help. 

  

Simple Home Staging Advice from Your Gay Realtor

Selling your home in New Port Richey, Port

Richey, Trinity or Hudson Florida will require you hire the right real estate professional for the job.  Having a local gay real estate agent on your side when selling your home is important to not only procure a buyer and sell your home but it has been my experience that my gay customers prefer to work closely with a gay real estate agent because I understand your needs and concerns and my customers can be themselves around me.

The first home staging tip I have is to "gay down" your home.  Let's try and minimize the gay decor around the house.  You want minimal bric-a-brac around and we want to keep the buyers focused on the home and the rooms, not the Herb Ritts coffee table books or an excessive number of gay pride or rainbow items.  I'm not asking you to hide or straighten up you home. I am asking and suggesting that we make the home the focus and not your things.  While writing this I paused to grab another cup of coffee and noticed that we would have to "Gay Down" our home and put away a few things as well. 

Should you have a vacant home to sell, buyers will

make more attractive offers on homes that are furnished and homes that are staged as opposed to those that are empty.  One reason is that buyers often think that a vacant home is a financial burden on the seller and that the seller will take a lower offer because they want to "get rid of the house".  A furnished home will always present itself as inviting and a place people will want to live in.  Professional stagers offers a variety of services at various prices and I can help you find a professional home stager that you "click" with. 

Your homes marketing and advertising is very important to showcase your staged home.  I work diligently to photograph your home well and edit the photos to make sure they are the best possible marketing photos for your home.  These photos are used in your virtual tours, social media advertising, blog advertising and website advertising. I can create a website for your home to attract more buyers.  The key element to successful advertising of your home, is proper staging and furnishing.

Please contact me if you or someone you know is in need of a gay real estate agent in the New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey or Hudson area of Pasco county in Florida.  I work hard for my customers and provide you with the highest level of service and commitment to get your home sold.

  

written by Michael J. Gallo

Title Options for Gay Married Couples in Florida - Tenants by Entireties

I would like to congratulate you if you have

recently become a legally recognized gay married couple in Florida and I know you have a lot to do both before and after your wedding, but I wanted to talk a little bit about the title of your home together. Whether you already own a home as a couple or you are going to buy a home as a couple, you will want to consider a couple of things before moving forward. Things like how will we take title on our home and who is the right gay real estate agent to help us.

I am going to start with any couple that was not living together prior to getting married. Now that you are married, you most likely will begin discussing buying a home together as a married couple.  You will want to consult your attorney before making any title decisions but most people will want to take title as "Tenants by Entireties". This form of land ownership in Florida is only used with a married couple.  The Tenants by Entireties will provide that when one spouse passes, the ownership will transfer directly to the surviving spouse without the need for probate.  The Tenants by Entireties ownership also protects the homestead from creditors of one spouse affecting the other. Please consult your attorney if you have any specific questions about Tenants by Entireties if you are a gay married couple.

Those of us who owned our home before getting

married to our longtime companions, most of us took title as "Joint Tenants with Full Survivorship Rights" since that was the best we had before having the right to marry as gay people.  You may want to consider having your home re-titled "Tenants by Entireties" as a gay married couple to further protect you and your spouse in the future.  If you are not sure if changing your title is the right choice for you and your partner I urge you to consult your attorney before making any major decisions regarding your marriage and the title to your home together.

Please contact me if you or someone you know is in need of a gay real estate agent in Western Pasco county Florida.  I am your local gay real estate professional in New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey and Hudson Florida. 

 

The content of this article is not meant to be legal advice, please consult your attorney or local title agency for answers to your specific questions.

written by Michael J. Gallotitle 

Affordable Living for Gay People 55+ in New Port Richey Florida

Finding affordable places to live as a gay person

or couple may seem like a daunting task but I am here to tell you about a wonderful 55+ community in New Port Richey Florida that is a great place for gay people to retire to or downsize their homes. Pointe West Condominium community is an affordable condominium community for people age 55 and over. The community is not exclusively gay but the community is very friendly to all people and located inside the gated community of SummerTree in New Port Richey.

How Affordable are the Pointe West Condominiums?

Right now you can buy a 2 bedroom condominium in Pointe West for anywhere between $35,000 to $45,000 depending on how updated the condo is. You can buy 1 bedroom condos in Pointe West for anywhere from $22,000 to $30,000.  

But Wait! There's More! 
Homesteaded condominiums in Pointe West pay

about $75-$150 in Annual taxes (taxes may vary).  Most homeowners are getting insurance for under $1,000 a year.  There is monthly maintenance fee of $252 for 1 bedroom and $292 for 2 bedroom units which vary if the condo has a garage or not.  These monthly fees are for 2015.

Here is what you get for your monthly fee:

Roof repairs and replacement. Annual termite inspection. Basic Cable. Trash Removal. Landscaping and Irrigation. Gated community. Heated Pool, Spa, Billiard Room, Fitness Gym, Tennis courts, shuffleboard, clubhouse.  The SummerTree recreation center has events pretty much every month for your entertainment. When you look at everything that you get for the monthly fee, you can see why we say Pointe West Condominiums are highly affordable homes for gay people over age 55. The SummerTree Golf Club is open to the public. 

Here are the main things you should know:

• Pets are limited to 2 with a maximum weight of 20 pounds at maturity each. 
• 1 full time resident MUST be age 55
• You cannot rent out your condo until you own it for a full 12 months
• Many of the condos have been remediated for soil settlement and are fully insurable as the repairs were done under the association's insurance.
• Each condo has 1 assigned parking spot (excluding units with garages)

These are the main things you need to know prior

to looking at buying a condominium in Pointe West. If you meet the requirements and you are interested in affordable living as a gay person or couple, please contact me. You can fill out my online contact form and ask me anything you want and I will respond within 24 hours. Please keep me in mind if you know someone who is looking for a gay real estate agent in the New Port Richey, Trinity or Port Richey area. http://GayRealEstate.info 

written by Michael J. Gallo
Florida Luxury Realty