Real Estate
Why picking the wrong agent can cost you money
There are many kinds of Realtors so be sure to find the right one
Let’s face it, Realtors are portrayed pretty poorly in the media – typically as either a ditzy single mom, a pushy used car salesman type, or someone totally aloof in their own world (I’m looking at you, Phil Dunphy). These stereotypes used to really bother me, because they didn’t reflect the hard-working, dedicated professionals that I typically encounter. We work with some truly excellent agents that make me proud to be a Realtor.
In the last few weeks, the spring market has really started to heat up. Many newly minted “agents” are throwing their hat into the ring to make, what they think, is a quick buck. As a result, we’ve encountered some very interesting situations. Maybe it’s just that I am nine months pregnant and my patience is wearing thin, but I felt the need to educate the public on how picking the wrong agent can cost you. Here is a breakdown of some of the types of agents – and real life encounters we’ve had with them – that are the reason for our embarrassing portrayal in the media. So, please excuse me while I rant.
THE HARD-WORKING, COMPETENT AGENT. As I mentioned above, there are many, many excellent agents out there who go above and beyond for their clients and do a truly fabulous job. While most agents we deal with fall into this category, and I could go on and on about all of the wonderful aspects of those agents, this post is not about those Realtors.
THE LAZY AGENT. This type of agent is probably the most common offender in our profession. They got into real estate because it offered flexibility and they figured they didn’t have to work a 9-5 schedule. Turns out, they were right. Real estate is not 9-5, it is 24/7! As agents, we are available when our clients need us, when other agents need us, when appraisers need us, and when home inspectors are available. We not only must be available 9-5 for the banks and title companies we work with during the work week, but also when our clients are available — usually on the weekends and in the evenings.
Agents who thought they were in for a cushy schedule get a rude awakening. Most eventually adapt to their new “flexible” schedule. However, there are those that cut corners to stay in the industry and try to make it work – to the detriment of their clients and anyone trying to do business with those clients.
Frequently, this type of agent also doesn’t respond to questions or if they do, it takes them hours and the information is incomplete. They usually don’t respond on weekends or evenings and if they get back to you, they act as if it is an inconvenience. This sort of response can cause many buyers to simply move on if they are not getting the information quickly enough or are not satisfied with the information do receive. It’s the spring market — there are lots of listings and many of them have deadlines so buyers need to make quick decisions. Many buyers just say… “Next!”
THE PART-TIME AGENT. On the exact opposite end of the spectrum, there are many agents out there selling real estate “on the side.” They may just work part-time, or it could mean they have a full-time job and they sell real estate only on weekends and evenings. So, they are far from lazy and are often working very hard, but they can be tough to reach and often don’t know the ins and outs of the contract and general “norms” of the industry.
We aren’t knocking people trying to get started in the industry. It’s a tough job to get into as you often don’t get paid for several months (fun fact – we only get paid after a client goes to settlement – so by the time a new agent gets a client, finds them a property or a buyer for their home and then goes to settlement, it’s often six months before the agent gets a check for their work.)
I can understand that many people need to pay their bills. What I cannot understand is agents who will not answer their phones or emails from 9-5. It is completely unacceptable and an enormous disservice to their clients. If you have a listing and someone wants to show it, taking eight hours to get back to that agent might mean the buyers moved on to another property. That means a seller may have missed out on their buyer. If you’re a buyer, same deal. You might have just lost the opportunity to see a hot new listing that could now be under contract.
THE INSINCERE AGENT. Worse than the lazy agent is the insincere agent. Luckily, we don’t come across this type of agent very often. The insincere agent will tell you there is another offer on a property to try to get your clients to improve their offer when in reality, the other offer doesn’t exist. Or, they might selectively choose which of your questions to answer, not replying to you if they answer is something you won’t like. We reserve most of our venom for this type of agent.
THE NON-REALTOR AGENT. Most people don’t know there is a difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent. All Realtors are real estate agents but not all real estate agents are Realtors. Being a Realtor is an additional certification or membership that a real estate agent can obtain. Becoming a Realtor means that, among other things, you must adhere to the Realtors’ code of ethics. This is an important differentiating factor because it holds Realtors responsible for not lying to their clients or fellow agents. If they do, they could be fined and put their license in jeopardy.
THE INEXPERIENCED OR JUST FLAT OUT BAD AGENT. While this type of agent isn’t devious and is often well-meaning, it can be one of the most dangerous types of agents to work with as a client. The problem is – they don’t know what they don’t know. Even worse, their clients usually don’t know what their agent doesn’t know.
We once had an agent tell us that she and her client are not currently on speaking terms so she couldn’t get back to us on our offer. I mean, where to even begin!? Long story short, we moved on. That house is still on the market and to be honest, I would be shocked if it sold anytime soon.
Another agent recently told us proudly that they will turn away any offer that is not full price. This property was priced significantly higher than the comps. It, too, is still on the market. Granted, this agent’s client should take a lot of the blame for this, but the agent shouldn’t get a free pass.
Part of our job as Realtors is to educate our clients into the appropriate pricing for the property and at least encourage a “conversation” between buyer and seller through counter-offering.
Even if an offer starts out low, many times the seller can still get the buyer up to a price that is acceptable with a few rounds of countering The fact is, once a buyer is mentally invested in a property, they often will come up higher than they originally anticipated. But, you won’t know this as a seller unless you engage them with a counter. It is highly ill advised to reject any offer, no matter how low it is. We had a listing where the original offer was over $100,000 under the list price – we ended up ratifying a contract on the property at a price that was significantly higher than the first offer and perfectly acceptable to both buyer and seller.
Sometimes, the agent doesn’t even know how to put together an offer and we’ve had to draft the offer for their client – or re-write it completely. An agent who recently wrote an offer on one of our listings did not know he needed to include a certain contingency that his client definitely required. We nicely let him know that he probably meant to include it. Omitting this contingency could have been a major issue for his client.
Another example of how an inexperienced agent can blow a deal is by not understanding the “norms” of how an offer process works or not taking the time to find out how an agent is handling a multiple offer situation. If the listing agent doesn’t set an appropriate deadline, or doesn’t get back to buyer agents, buyers agents won’t know how to proceed.
As a result, a seller could miss out on additional offers that would have escalated in price, leaving tens of thousands of dollars on the table for the seller.
We had a recent situation where a client was ready to accept a full price offer on their property over the weekend. However, we could tell based on the interest we were getting that by waiting until Monday and setting a deadline time that all agents were made aware of, that they would get more money. By waiting, we were able to get them an additional $30,000 with no home inspection negotiation (saving them from having to make repairs) and no appraisal contingency. Knowing the pulse of the market, we got a much better deal for our client.
Similarly, if a buyer agent doesn’t know enough to let the listing agent know that their clients have interest, they could miss out on the property. Time and again, we’ve had buyer agents call us weeks after our listings go under contract letting us know that their clients were interested, even though they had never been in touch. Inexperienced buyer agents can be detrimental if they don’t know how to find out about properties before they hit the active marker, to pull the appropriate comps, to best present the offer in multiple offer scenarios, or which types of inspections to schedule. There is a lot that an inexperienced agent just doesn’t know.
THE BOTTOM LINE. Picking a real estate agent is a major decision. It can directly affect both your bottom line and your ability to buy or sell a house in the time and manner that works for you. As we’ve shown, there are a wide variety of agents in the business. Most are wonderful to work with, but there are still many – and especially in the spring market – that put their clients in tough situations that could cost them money. Often, the client doesn’t even know it. It’s critical to carefully think through who you are working with to buy or sell.
Allison Goodhart DuShuttle is lead agent for The Goodhart Group, Alexandria’s and McEnearney Associates’ top producing real estate team. In 2015, she was nationally recognized by Realtor Magazine, being named to its “30 Under 30” club. Allison can be reached at 703-362-3221 or [email protected].
Real Estate
The best U.S. cities for LGBTQ homebuyers in 2025
Where strong equality scores, vibrant culture, attainable prices converge
Buying a home has always been a landmark of security and self-expression. For LGBTQ+ people, it can also be a powerful act of claiming space in a country where housing equality is still a work in progress. The good news? This year offers more options—and more protections—than ever. A record-breaking 130 U.S. cities now score a perfect 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index (MEI), meaning their local laws, services, and political leadership actively protect queer residents, reports.hrc.org. Meanwhile, national housing analysts at Zillow expect only modest price growth this year (about 2.6 percent), giving buyers a little breathing room to shop around.
Below are eight standout markets where strong equality scores, vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, and relatively attainable prices converge. Median sale prices are from March 2025 Zillow data.
1. Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN
Median sale price: $317,500
Twin Cities residents benefit from statewide nondiscrimination laws that explicitly cover sexual orientation and gender identity, a thriving queer arts scene, and dozens of neighborhood Pride celebrations beyond the mega-festival each June. Buyers also appreciate Minnesota’s down-payment assistance programs for first-time and BIPOC purchasers—many LGBTQ+ households qualify.
2. Philadelphia
Median sale price: $227,667
Philly combines East Coast culture with Mid-Atlantic affordability. “Gayborhood” anchors like Giovanni’s Room bookstore mingle with new LGBTQ-owned cafés in Fishtown and South Philly. Pennsylvania added statewide housing protections in 2024, closing the legal gaps that once worried trans and nonbinary buyers.
3. Pittsburgh
Median sale price: $221,667
Don’t let the steel-town stereotype fool you—Pittsburgh’s MEI score is 100, and its real-estate dollar stretches further than in comparable metros. Lawrenceville and Bloomfield have become hubs for queer-owned eateries and co-working spaces, while regional employers in tech and healthcare boast top Corporate Equality Index ratings.
4. Tucson, Ariz.
Median sale price: $328,333
This desert city punches above its weight in LGBTQ+ visibility thanks to the University of Arizona, a nationally ranked Pride parade, and some of the country’s most picturesque outdoor recreation. Arizona’s statewide fair-housing statute now explicitly lists gender identity, giving buyers added recourse if discrimination occurs.
5. Madison, Wisc.
Median sale price: $413,867
Madison blends progressive politics with a top-five public university and a booming tech corridor. Local lenders routinely promote inclusive marketing, and Dane County offers one of the few county-level LGBTQ+ home-ownership programs in the nation, providing up to $10,000 in forgivable assistance for low-to-moderate-income couples.
6. Atlanta
Median sale price: $359,967
The cultural capital of the Southeast delivers queer nightlife, Fortune 500 jobs, and a web of supportive nonprofits such as Lost-n-Found Youth. While Georgia lacks statewide protections, Atlanta’s 100-point MEI score covers public accommodations, contracting, and employer requirements—shielding homebuyers who choose in-town neighborhoods like Midtown or East Point.
7. St. Petersburg, Fla.
Median sale price: $354,667 Yes, Florida’s statewide politics are turbulent, but St. Pete has long held firm on LGBTQ+ equality. The city’s Pride festival draws nearly a million visitors, and local ordinances bar discrimination in housing and public services. Waterfront bungalows in Kenwood and more affordable condos near Uptown give first-time buyers options.
8. Denver
Median sale price: $563,500
Colorado passed some of the nation’s strongest gender identity housing protections in 2024, and Denver’s queer community remains one of the most visible in the Mountain West. Although prices run higher, buyers gain exceptional job growth and one of the country’s largest Gay & Lesbian Chambers of Commerce.
Smart Strategies for LGBTQ+ Buyers & Sellers
1. Build Your Dream Team Early
- Work with an equality-focused real-estate pro. The easiest way is to start at GayRealEstate.com, which has screened gay, lesbian, and allied agents in every U.S. market for more than 30 years.
- Choose inclusive lenders and inspectors. Ask whether each vendor follows HUD’s 2021 guidance interpreting the Fair Housing Act to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.
2. Know Your Rights—And Limitations
- Federal law bars housing bias, but enforcement can lag. Document everything and report issues to HUD, your state civil-rights agency, or Lambda Legal.
- In states without full protections, rely on city ordinances (check the MEI) and add explicit nondiscrimination language to your purchase contract.
3. Evaluate Neighborhood Fit
- Use local data: crime stats, school ratings, transit, and MEI scores of nearby suburbs.
- Spend time in queer-owned cafés, bars, and community centers to gauge true inclusivity.
4. For Sellers: Market With Pride—And Professionalism
- Highlight proximity to LGBTQ+ resources (community centers, Pride festivals) in your listing remarks.
- Stage neutrally but inclusively—rainbow art is great, but removing personal photos can protect privacy during showings.
The landscape for LGBTQ+ homeowners is evolving fast. By coupling inclusive laws, supportive culture, and attainable prices, cities like Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Tucson stand out for 2025. No matter where you land, surround yourself with professionals who value every part of your identity. Start your journey at GayRealEstate.com, lean on the resources above, and claim your corner of the American dream—on your own terms, and with pride.
Scott Helms is president and owner of Gayrealestate.com.
Real Estate
Summer-ready rentals: How to prepare for the season
Inspect your A/C, upgrade the kitchen, and more
Now’s the time to get your property looking sharp for summer. In the D.C. rental market, summer is our version of the Super Bowl. Tenants are on the move, leases are flipping, and if your property isn’t ready for game time, you’re sitting on the bench while the competition scores.
Here’s how to get your rental property summer-ready, keep it competitive, and avoid the scramble once the heat (and the demand) is on.
First Impressions Count
In a walkable city like D.C., curb appeal isn’t a luxury, it’s your ticket to play. Prospective tenants don’t just scroll through listings from their couches; they walk the neighborhoods, eyeing buildings and row homes like it’s a real-life episode of House Hunters. If your property looks run-down from the sidewalk, it doesn’t matter how nice it is inside: you’ll already have lost their attention.
Start with a good power wash. Sidewalks, front steps, and that brick façade can collect a year’s worth of grime and pollen, and nothing says “we didn’t get around to it” quite like a dingy entryway. Once that’s done, grab a paintbrush and freshen up the details — front doors, railings, and window trim are often the first thing people see, and chipped or faded paint sends the wrong message. Landscaping doesn’t have to rival a botanical garden, but it should be tidy and intentional. A few potted plants, some trimmed bushes, and a weed-free yard show that you care. And don’t forget the lighting — a working porch light adds a layer of polish and safety. Think of curb appeal like a dating profile picture. If it’s not appealing, people won’t even bother to swipe right.
Handle Maintenance Before Repair Emergencies
Summer in D.C. means one thing: humidity. And it’s not just uncomfortable. It’s a property’s worst enemy if you’re not on top of things. Tenants will test that A/C the minute they move in, so don’t wait for a 98-degree day to find out the AC compressor is clogged and is not performing to its potential. While you’re at it, check those windows and screens. No one wants a unit that turns into a sauna because the windows won’t open or the screens are shredded.
Plumbing deserves a once-over, too. In some of D.C.’s older neighborhoods, tree roots have been known to snake their way into century-old pipes. If you’ve had slow drains or backups, now’s the time to act. And don’t skip out on pest control. Ants, roaches, and rodents all love a good D.C. summer, but your tenants sure don’t. A preventative visit now can spare you the late-night emergency call later.
Upgrade What Matters
If your place still has that “2008 Craigslist listing” look, now’s your chance for a low-cost glow-up that pays off in higher rent and better tenants.
You don’t have to renovate the entire kitchen, but a few strategic upgrades can keep your property feeling current without breaking the bank. Swapping out dated cabinet pulls or faucet fixtures is a quick win. Replacing an old Formica countertop with stone is a great add, albeit a bigger investment.
Installing a smart thermostat or keyless entry, especially if you’re trying to attract a tech-savvy tenant, adds a bit of glitz. And don’t underestimate the value of LED lighting. Not only is the lighting brighter, but energy efficiency is a real plus when Pepco bills start climbing.
Don’t Forget the Marketing Materials
The window for summer leasing moves fast. Between May and August, tenants are locking in their spots quickly, and they aren’t wasting time on listings that look outdated or vague. Having strong, current marketing materials can be the difference between locking in a new tenant over several weeks or watching your property sit vacant for several months while others get rented.
When writing your listing, make sure it reflects the strengths of the unit and its location. Is there a private balcony that catches the sunset? Mention it. Is the washer and dryer tucked inside the unit instead of down a shared hallway? Highlight that. And in the D.C. summer heat, central A/C and ceiling fans aren’t bonuses; they’re expectations. Mention any shaded outdoor spaces, or if you’re lucky enough to be close to a pool, splash pad, or one of the city’s beloved parks, say so.
Once the property is shining on the outside and tuned up inside, the final step is making sure that polish shows up in your marketing. Your listing needs to be more than just functional, it needs to sell. That starts with updated and clear photos. Snap new images once the landscaping is cleaned up, the paint has dried, and the light’s hitting just right. Don’t use older photos pre-2020 where the tree out front was still a sapling and the trash bins were in the shot. And please, always close toilet seats first! Prospective renters are savvy, and their intuition perks up when they see less than professional looking photos.
It’s All About Timing
This summer, make the most of the opportunity. In D.C., there’s a wave of renters moving for new jobs, internships, or simply trying to relocate before school starts. Landlords who prep early and market smartly are the ones who don’t just find tenants, they find good tenants. And they fill units faster.
Grab that to-do list, schedule those contractors, and maybe treat yourself to a cold one after a long day of touch-ups. You’ll thank yourself later when your rental is leased out and earning while others are still scrambling at the end of the season.
Scott Bloom is owner and senior property manager at Columbia Property Management. For more information and resources, visit ColumbiaPM.com.
Real Estate
Pride, patriotism, and prosperity
Real estate plays role in honoring servicemembers’ legacy
As the calendar turns to late May and early June, several powerful movements and celebrations converge in a profound and colorful tapestry of remembrance, Pride, and progress.
Memorial Day in the United States honors the sacrifices of military personnel who gave their lives in service. Simultaneously, WorldPride and Black Pride commemorate both the historical struggles and enduring strength of LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.
Though these observances may seem distinct, they share powerful commonalities — solemnity, resilience, and the pursuit of equity. When viewed through the lens of real estate and community development, their intersection reveals the critical importance of space, ownership, and inclusion.
Memorial Day is more than a barbecue, a long weekend, or the unofficial start of summer. It is a solemn remembrance of those who laid down their lives for the ideals of freedom and democracy. Many of these fallen heroes came from marginalized backgrounds, including a rainbow of LGBTQ+ Americans who served valiantly, often without recognition or equal rights at home.
LGBTQ+ service members have fought in silence for decades, only gaining the right to serve openly in recent years and then having that opportunity for some individuals snatched back simply because of who they are. Memorial Day is a chance not only to honor their service but also as a reminder of the injustices they endured.
Real estate plays a role in their legacy. For decades, returning veterans used the GI Bill to buy homes and build generational wealth; however, discriminatory practices like redlining and restrictive covenants denied Black veterans the same opportunities, contributing to the racial wealth gap that persists today. Similarly, LGBTQ+ veterans and their partners often faced housing discrimination with little legal recourse. These systemic barriers underscore how access to safe and equitable housing is part of the fight for justice.
Black Pride events emerged in response to racism within the broader LGBTQ+ movement, asserting that Black queer lives matter and deserve visibility. Held in cities across the globe, Black Pride is not just a festival — it is a political and cultural declaration. It amplifies voices at the intersection of race and sexuality, advocating for people who are disproportionately impacted by housing insecurity and gentrification.
Many urban neighborhoods that were once cultural havens for queer communities are being transformed by rising rents and redevelopment. While revitalization can bring economic opportunity, it must be done equitably, with safeguards in place to ensure that long-standing residents are not displaced. Real estate, in this context, becomes a tool for resistance and renewal.
WorldPride, a global event celebrating LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, is hosted by a different city every few years. It draws millions of participants, shines an international spotlight on LGBTQ+ issues, and highlights disparities in rights and protections worldwide. In countries where queer identities are criminalized, safe housing can be a matter of life and death.
Even in more progressive regions, LGBTQ+ individuals often face subtle yet persistent discrimination from landlords, real estate agents, and lending institutions. In the real estate industry, advocacy groups are working to increase representation, offer training, define ethical responsibilities, and advocate for inclusive policies to ensure housing is truly accessible to all.
The convergence of WorldPride with Memorial Day and Black Pride invites deeper reflection: What kind of world are we building in memory of those who came before? How can we ensure that freedom, the very principle so many fought and died for, includes the right to live openly and securely, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality?
The real estate industry has a unique role in shaping the future. From urban planning to homeownership policy, to income-based downpayment grants, it directly influences who has access to stability and opportunity.
Developers, policymakers, and community leaders must work together to address housing disparities. This includes funding affordable housing, protecting tenants from discrimination, and investing in communities that have been historically excluded. It also means respecting cultural legacies and ensuring that neighborhoods reflect the diversity of the people who live in them.
Memorial Day reminds us of the cost of freedom. International Pride events remind us that the fight for freedom is ongoing. As we honor the fallen, let us also honor the living – those who continue to fight for their right to exist, to love, and to call a place home. Whether waving a flag at a Pride parade, laying a wreath at a soldier’s grave, or signing a first-time homebuyer agreement, these moments are connected by the enduring belief that everyone deserves dignity, safety, and a place to belong.
Valerie M. Blake is a licensed Associate Broker in DC, MD & VA with RLAH @properties. Call or text her at (202) 246-8602, email her at DCHomeQuest.com, or follow her on Facebook at TheRealst8ofAffairs.
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