How To Buy A Home For A Same-Sex Couple

Buying a home is a dream for many couples, including same-sex partners. The joy and excitement of owning a home together with your spouse or life-partner and planning your future is something most people enjoy. For gay and lesbian couples, the dream of homeownership might come with different obstacles than a traditional family might encounter.

How can you buy a home as a same-sex couple? Here are a few tips to follow to make your dream of homeownership come true.

Find The Right Location

The first step to homeownership for any couple is finding the right location for their needs. For a gay or lesbian couple, this doesn't just mean if the home is close to the best schools or popular restaurants and activities. It also means if the community is accepting and welcoming of same-sex couples.

Before deciding on a community, check online at websites specifically geared toward finding houses for same-sex couples. If you google "gay real estate," there are a lot of websites that can help you track down the right communities in your chosen city or state that are very welcoming to same-sex couples. You can also check out websites such as Trulia and OKCupid that offer community pride scores to better determine where you might wish to check out.

In larger cities, there may be gay villages you can visit to talk to realtors or locals about finding the right location for you.

Find The Right Realtor

Your next step is to find the right realtor to suit your needs. While you might be happy with a realtor who is knowledgeable about your chosen location and has a good reputation in the area, you might want to consider a gay real estate agent or one who specializes in finding homes for gay or lesbian couples.

You can search online or ask local gay and lesbian message boards for recommendations as well. Hiring a gay real estate agent can help fit your needs in several ways.

You will find a professional who fully understands the need to find the right location and home for your family. And, you will have a professional who can help you with the legal and financial issues of buying a home that same-sex couples may face.

Find The Right Mortgage Broker Or Lender

It's always a good idea before you go searching for a home is to get approved for a mortgage. Same-sex couples in some states might have a difficult time getting a mortgage together, but it's not impossible. You can find a mortgage broker or lender that can help you through the legal process of obtaining a loan for your home.

Even if you decide to choose a realtor who is not gay or lesbian, organizations such as the National Association of Realtors have partnered with LGBTQ community members to help same-sex couples buy their dream homes without fear of discrimination and rejection. These realtors can help you obtain a mortgage or loan so that you can buy your house.

To find realtors or mortgage brokers who will work their best for your interests, simply do some research online and look through databases and reviews to find the right professional for you.