NAGLREP survey shows LGBT community more interested in buying homes

The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals celebrates its tenth anniversary during Pride Month. NAGLREP’s mission is to advocate on behalf of the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community as it relates to housing and discrimination laws. President and CEO Jeff Berger said the organization has grown significantly since he founded it in 2007.

“The interest in NAGLREP has increased and we’re presently growing at about 30 percent each year,” he said. “We have 1,500 members nationwide, with 12 active local chapters. Chapters host quarterly events like lunch and learns, and networking, and many chapters will be participating in Pride events in their communities.”

“We’re pleased to be starting a Philadelphia chapter as well,” Berger said. “Philadelphia has a tremendous opportunity to create an active chapter with the support of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors®. Jack Barry, a Philadelphia Realtor®, will serve as president of the chapter and anyone interested in joining should contact him.”

NAGLREP will host its fourth annual conference this year in Palm Springs, CA, featuring Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and Cleve Jones, author of When We Rise.

NAGLREP has just released the results of its third member survey, which reveals the 2015 Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality has paved the way for more LGBT home purchases.

The online survey of more than 325 NAGLREP members found that 47 percent of those surveyed believe more LGBT married couples are buying homes than prior to the decision, while 46 percent believe the entirety of the LGBT community is more interested in homeownership than prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“We firmly believe that when Jim Obergefell won his Supreme Court case, it was the start of a paradigm shift for the LGBT community,” Berger said. “The confidence we gained, coupled with society’s continued acceptance of the community, is having an impact. Marriage will likely bring more wonderful life events, including children, homeownership and a potential increase in suburban living.”

“Even in the face of discrimination, which they’re working around, the LGBT community’s confidence is growing,” he added.

“We still have a long way to go to eradicate housing discrimination against our community,” Berger said. “NAGLREP fully supported the Equality Act, which was supported by the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, the Human Rights Campaign and 92 major U.S. corporations, when it was unveiled in May. The National Association of Realtors® also joined us in supporting Rep. Scott Taylor’s (R-VA) proposed bill, the Fair and Equal Housing Act, to eliminate housing discrimination against the LGBT community.”