My partner, Melinda, has been Real Estate since 1986. I have only been selling Real Estate since 2005. I’ve been in sales and sales management forever, but truth be told, we DATED looking at Open Houses (think of it as reality TV ala “Design to Sell”). 

One of the more interesting aspects of our job as Realtors is dealing with the out of town Buyer. The fact is, when a LGBT Buyer(s) come to town, we feel like we are going on a double date. Not to detract from the seriousness of the event (buying a home is a pretty big deal) , but think about it: We have breakfast with new LGBT friends (I use this time as a good excuse to “carb up” for our field trip with French toast, butter, muffins, potatoes – you get the idea), jump in the car and do our favorite thing: Look at houses together. 

The Seller’s challenge in this market is to distinguish themselves from the other properties on the market on the same street. This became crystal clear a short time ago when we rounded the corner with our Buyers and looked down a street that had at least five homes for sale. We looked at them all. At the last one, the Seller happened to be there (mention to any Realtor, “…and the Seller was there…” and watch them visually blanche…) and said to one of the two Lesbian Buyers (with twin girls back at the hotel with Oma and Opa) who are, of course accompanied by the two Lesbian Realtors, “So. Are you looking for yourself or…?” And while our Buyer later admitted she thought briefly about playing the pronoun game, she said, “No, this is my Partner and we have twins at home.” 

We can all fill in the blank as to what probably happened next, never guessing the true outcome. The Seller lit up looking somewhat like a guy who had just checkmated his opponent quite unexpectantly. “Why, we have two Lesbians next door with Twins!” he almost shouted. (Oh, please do not tell me ‘some of your best friends are gay,’ I thought.) We all exchanged brief pleasantries and then left.

The house in and of itself made the cut for the next day’s final three. I called the Seller and told them we would be by again tomorrow. He told us he would be at church with his family between 10 and 12. Perfect! The Seller will be gone! We’ll be there at 11:00! At 11:05, the Seller returns, saying  he forgot juice for the baby, ‘but you know what that’s like,’  he says to my Buyers.  As he is getting the juice the doorbell rings. This is getting more out of control. “Oh, no! I ’ll get it!” I say sarcastically.

There at the door, stood the two next door neighbor Lesbians, dressed alike (what a SURPRISE!) right down to the sensible matching shoes pushing a double buggy with two twins dressed (surprise again!) alike.  

“Hello.” They announce cheerily. “We are the two Lesbians from next door with our twins. We are out for our Sunday morning stroll and just wanted to say hello, ”  they almost said in scripted unison.  I am incensed. This is blatant pandering of the highest order! How stupid does every one think we are to fall for such an outlandish attempt to interest my clients in this property!   I swing around to apologize to my Buyers with rightful indignation, damning this chicanery !

The Buyers are THRILLED! They are peering over my shoulders, each to a side, leaning against me,  awestruck. Like-minded next-door neighbors? Children to play with? They abandon every poker face I have instructed them to have when a Seller is present and are GUSHING everywhere. To the neighbors, to the Sellers, to me. THEY LOVE THIS HOUSE! So much for our poker handed negotiation skills…

It is a lesson to all of us as to why this Seller sold his house faster than the other houses on the street. He made his house different and made it attractive to my Buyers. Good for him, Good for us, and yes, Good for the Buyers and their family.