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. 

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

Gay Real Estate Agent in Trinity and New Port Richey Florida

I understand the needs of my customers and

hiring a gay real estate agent is important to you when selling or buying a home.  You have specific needs and concerns that you want addressed and I am here for you.  You can relax and be yourself around me and not pretend you're partner is your roommate or "friend". Being a gay person, I know you have specific needs from your real estate professional that others may not.

You do not have to settle on experience when hiring a gay real estate agent.  I am the West Pasco Board of Realtors Education committee chairperson. I am an instructor for Florida Luxury Realty and an instructor at the West Pasco Board of Realtors.  Let my experience and knowledge work for you when you need a real estate professional.

Visit my website that caters exclusively to my

gay customers and their family and friends. You can search homes, read my blogs and contact me online with any questions.  I take my business seriously and with me on your side you will have a smooth and enjoyable real estate experience. If you or anyone you know is in need of gay real estate services in Trinity or New Port Richey please contact me so I can assist you in any way possible.

                                                            
written by Michael J. Gallo, Florida Luxury Realty, Inc.

Are Gay Couples Waiting for Marriage Equality to Purchase a Home?

We had a discussion last evening with our best friend who is

a married straight man about not only marriage equality, but how the delay in Florida's Equal Right to Marry may be holding back some gay couples from buying a home.  Our friend had read my blog post titled "Gay Homeowners Want Larger Homes to Grow Their Family" and he said he was not surprised by that.  He said that it makes sense to buy a larger home before having a child or your second child no matter if you are a gay couple or a straight couple.

We also discussed the idea that there may be a good number of gay couples who are waiting for marriage equality before buying a home together because they may not know how to protect themselves and their partners.  He also expressed his anger that my partner and I cannot be legally married since we have the best relationship out of anyone he knows aside from his parents. Knowing the same people he does as we are all friends in the same circle, we agreed. (smile) Buying a home is a big step in any relationship married or not. I can't help but think that there are a good number of gay couples who are waiting to buy a home because we don't have the legal rights and protection as any married straight couple.

You have options as a gay couple and you do not necessarily

have to wait for marriage equality to purchase a home.  Buying a home together, you can take title in a way that allows either one of you to automatically gain sole ownership of the home in the event of death.  Having title as "Joint Tenants with Full Survivorship Rights" which means even if you do not have a will in place your partner will become the owner of the home without question.  Please be sure to protect your partner and your family when buying a home.  Should you and your partner wish to purchase a home together please contact me for your personal real estate consultation.  I have the knowledge and experience to assist you and your family. Please don't let the States Policy of Inequality and Violation of Equal Rights hold you and your family back from moving forward and buying a home together. 

written by Michael J. Gallo

Title Options for Gay Couples When Buying a Home in Florida

Yesterday I met with my customer who is buying a home

here in Hudson Florida to discuss how he would like to take title on this home.  I have this discussion with everyone I help in my business but with my gay home buyers, we generally have a very personal conversation about their relationship as well as their title options.  You may think that is too personal to discuss with your Realtor but it has been my experience that the customer will provide information willingly and a heart to heart conversation is the best approach.

Not every relationship is the same and without the legal right of marriage (for now) many gay couples buying a home want guidance on how they take title and what it means to them and their relationship.  My conversation yesterday was a serious discussion regarding not only their relationship but finances.  The gentleman buying the home has not only other real estate assets in another state but he also has a large number of investments and a substantial amount of liquid asset that he accumulated by himself prior to his current relationship.  The home is being purchased with all cash and with his partner having his own income and finances my customer felt that he wanted to take title in his name alone and that if his partner wants to be added to the deed down the road, he would need to produce a monetary interest in the property.  He will have his will updated to leave his partner the home.

Before he came to this decision, we discussed very personal

aspects of their relationship and finances. My only part in this conversation was to listen as my customer talked and let him come to his decision on his own.  Sometimes gay couples buying a home will obtain a mortgage in the name of only one person in the relationship.  When this happens I like my customers to really talk it out and come to a well informed decision about how they take title.  Without the legal rights of married couples, we need to make informed decisions on our home purchases that are best for our individual relationships. Being a gay man, I understand the needs and concerns of my gay customers and I am available to anyone who would like a consultation regarding real estate.  Contact me online anytime with your questions. I am here to help my gay family.

written by Michael J. Gallo