A new survey has concluded that the 2015 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriages has encouraged more LGBT married couples to pursue homeownership.
According to the 2017
National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP) Homeownership Survey, 47 percent of NAGLREP agents stated more LGBT married couples decided to become homeowners after the Supreme Court’s ruling. Fifty percent of respondents stated that a sizeable number of their LGBT clients will become homeowners in the coming year, with 49 percent of that number as "move up" buyers and 18 percent as downsizers. Furthermore, 29 percent of the real estate agents said a significant number of their LGBT clients would move from urban centers to the suburbs at a higher rate in the coming year, while 24 percent forecasted a suburban-to-urban movement. And 34 percent of surveyed agents indicated many of their LGBT clients will purchase a second home in the next 12 months.
“The confidence we gained, coupled with society's continued acceptance of the community, is having an impact,” said NAGLREP founder Jeff Berger. “Marriage will likely bring more wonderful life events including children, homeownership and a potential increase in suburban living.”
Berger added the legalization of same-sex marriage would also prevent potential difficulties that could arise property ownership. "I do believe the LGBT community should be more aware of the legal and title issues because unmarried couples do not automatically share their same protections," he said.
