LGBT couples face unique questions when shopping for a house. It is important to be happy with the community you’re in and the legal protections you’re granted.

Here are a few things to consider as you’re going through the process of finding a home:

Research legal protections: Lambda Legal is a helpful resource for learning legal protections that, in particular, affect LGBT people. Look at issues like: marriage status, adoption rights, workplace protections, hospital visitation rights, and school anti-bullying laws to get a holistic image of your rights

Read reviews: Do an internet search for LGBT community centers and  businesses. Overall, search for the indicated LGBT population in order to get a sense of how accepting the community might be.

Interview school administrators: Meet with an administrator at prospective schools to assess the LGBT acceptance and safety climate of a local school. Be sure to ask questions like,

●     How often do you have anti-LGBT related incidents?

●     What are you doing to promote acceptance of nontraditional families?

●     If a student bullied my child because of his/her family background, how would you handle it?

Legally define ownership: If something happens to you, who would be next to inherit this new property? Meet with a local attorney and make sure your partner is legally protected to stay in the home you’re purchasing, even if he or she isn’t the buyer.

We hope that these tips help you to find a state and neighborhood that work well for you and your family. Once you’ve found a neighborhood that works for you, call a CENTURY 21® Agent who can help you find your home!