3 Ways to Be the Best LGBTQ+ Friendly Real Estate Professional

Buying or selling a home is big deal. And during the process to get there, customers put their trust in the real estate professional they choose to align with – one who they rely on as an advocate and guide. For some members of the LGBTQ+ community, it can be especially heartening to work with an agent who goes above and beyond in their commitment to fair housing.

Why? Because although the community continues to make remarkable strides in all aspects of society, in some areas – like homeownership – the progress still falls short. According to data from the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, the current rate of homeownership among LGBTQ+ individuals and families is 49.8%, which is below the U.S. average of 65.8%.

Another critical component is financing, an additional place where the LGBTQ+ community has historically – and currently – faced barriers to equal-opportunity homeownership, too.

U.S. Bank’s LGBTQ+ Financial Landscape Report, based on 2022 insights, found that, “Despite LGBTQ+ respondents’ higher credit scores, 52% of LGBTQ+ respondents said they had a difficult time getting a mortgage (compared to 38% of non-LGBTQ+). This parallels findings reported elsewhere that same-sex couples who apply for a mortgage are less likely to be approved.”

With this information in mind, it’s paramount for real estate professionals to be agents of change in their locales, ensuring fair housing is upheld for all. RE/MAX agents weigh in on how fellow industry professionals can be the best allies to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

1. Work with heart, always

“It may sound simple, but agents need to actually want to help advance homeownership within the LGBT community. After all, the community is large, growing, and wants to own homes. Also, studies have shown that members are incredibly loyal to brands that support them,” says Sam Olson, team leader of the Olson Group with RE/MAX Professionals in Reno, Nevada.

Olson notes how modern “rainbow capitalism” – the commoditization of pride events – can do a disservice to the underlying mission of advancing the LGBTQ+ community. Instead, he says, the most impactful support is through advocacy and action.

Another critical component of conducting business with heart: being respectful of everyone’s identities.

“As agents, we need to choose our wording wisely – and never assume anything about anyone,” says Ashley Warren, an agent with RE/MAX Advantage in Nashville, Tennessee. “It’s not always a ‘his and her’ concept for a room, for example. Your client isn’t necessarily a parent or married to the person they are buying the house with. Your client may not be attracted to the same gender. Instead of assuming, we need to listen and be open to situations that the public doesn’t consider the majority.”

And of course, she adds, always follow the golden rule: Treat others how you would want to be treated.

“I want my professional interactions and brand to always be a safe space for LGBTQ+ clients. And to be able to continue that, I focus on creating an environment where my clients are comfortable being themselves,” Warren says.

2. Continue to champion fair housing

The actions an agent takes every day on behalf of their customers – existing and future – reflect themselves as an individual and the leader of a local business.

“My business is founded on common courtesy and human respect. There are 330+ million people in the U.S., and 330+ million different lived experiences. Respect and celebrate those! We’re all stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them,” Olson says. “Some key ways to keep a business a safe space are to stand up, show up, and mean it.”

“Respect people’s preferred pronouns, or better yet, use non-gendered language in all your advertising,” he advises.

Olson highlights the importance of all real estate professionals bolstering their fair housing commitment through education.

“Speak out against hateful comments and speech in life and on social media,” he says. “Agents can take the [LGBTQ+ Real Estate] Alliance Certified Ally course, anti-bias trainings, the fair housing training at Fairhaven, and NAR’s At Home With Diversity certification – and display these commitments prominently in their advertising.”

He adds, “Share your story! It may inspire – or educate – others on why fair housing for all, including the LGBT community, is a win for everyone.”

3. Expand your network of LGBTQ+ real estate professional members and allies

Getting involved with trade organizations that further the mission of homeownership for all is a great way to stay informed, continue education, and meet people who share the same passion for compassion.

Olson is a founding member of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, an organization committed to improving the lives of real estate professionals while providing consumers with homebuying and selling resources. RE/MAX is a sponsor of the nonprofit corporation, which celebrates LGBTQ+ homeownership and advocates for fair housing practices across the real estate industry.

In addition to co-founding his local Reno-area chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, Olson was also a co-founding member of the RE/MAX Rainbow Alliance, a space for the brand’s LGBTQ+ agents and allies to create business connections, find camaraderie and ultimately increase homeownership for consumers. Members of the group connect online and gather during RE/MAX events, like the brand’s annual flagship R4 convention.

“The LGBT community is not a monolith, and getting involved in national and brand-based organizations and groups builds broader connections. Through those connections, we can enact change,” he says. “But it’s not just about the big national organizations – there’s also a place in local and state associations for diverse opinions through [Diversity, Equity & Inclusion] committees, and tremendous, real-world progress can be made there.”

Olson adds, “Underserved populations will never have equality in their communities until they have equity in them. Fair housing and diverse homeownership make these communities stronger.”

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