A first of its kind for the LGBTQ+ community, according to the organization, the event—LGBTQ+ First-Time Homebuyer Seminar—will be held on June 16 at 7 p.m. EST.
This is the first public-facing program offered by the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance (The Alliance), a 501(c)6 non-profit with more than 1,200 members that launched in October. It will feature a variety of important topics for potential homeowners including discussions about down payments, mortgage types, pre-approval and the lending process.
The program will also provide insight into selecting an agent, home and neighborhood, while offering perspectives on the offer, negotiations and the different steps to closing. The Alliance will also provide resources to help combat potential housing discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Today’s market conditions have heightened the challenges first-time homebuyers face, and we believe it is important to provide members of our community with the tools and resources they need to navigate the buying process,” said Ryan Weyandt, CEO of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance.
“Along with discrimination, and the fear of it, we have found a lack of education focused on the LGBTQ+ community that would allow more to better prepare for the process,” added Weyandt. “Homeownership provides long-term emotional and financial security and our community, like other diverse groups, has not had the same opportunities. We are working to change this.”
Weyandt will be joined on the seminar by Josh Pringle from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Leaskou Partners in Palm Springs, California, Alliance San Antonio (Texas) chapter President and Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper REALTORS® agent Kassandra Alicea, and Ron Waterson, a loan officer with PrimeLending in Dallas.
The Alliance recently launched a consumer-facing website allowing visitors to engage with members and access valuable information including a 41-page LGBTQ+ First-Time Buyers Guide. Visit the site here.
