GayRealEstate USA

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Indiana

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Indiana has an estimated population of 6.3 million residents and is located in the Midwestern region of the United States. This states economy relies on manufacturing with steel, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, as well as automobiles and factory machinery being this regions largest productions.

This state has a flat rate income tax of 3.4% and a sales tax of 6%. Property taxes are variable depending on the local government and this is assessed on the sum of the tax rates imposed by all taxing units in which a property is located.

Indianapolis

This area of Indiana offers a competitive cost of living, favorable tax structure, is within easy commuting distance to most facilities and is stipulated as being one of the fastest growing regions in America that offers a lively, yet homely place to live.

Recently, there has been a significant boom in this area causing the market to shift to a buyers market rather than a sellers. The average market time for sale is hovering around the 30-60 day mark with the average asking price of homes being between $70,000 and $200,000.

Indianapolis is showing signs of increased buying and selling activity with prices up by 1-5% compared to last years figures.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are some 10,219 same-sex couples residing in this state, making it the 17th gayest state in the U.S.A. The gayest zip codes in this area are 46201 Brookside Bunch/Emerson Heights - Indianapolis; 46205 Crosstown/ New Northside/Unity Park - Indianapolis; 460202 Chatham Arch/Irish Hills/Canal - Indianapolis; and 46219 Chatham Walk/Eastgate - Indianapolis. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: yellowpages.com and wikipedia.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006+ Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Proudly Sponsored By:

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

In a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

------------------------------------------------------------------

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

*RealQuestions RealAnswers*

Click on Comments below and share your thoughts and opinions, ask a real estate question or offer story suggestions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006 Jeff Adolph GayRealEstate USA

Support to Amend Human Rights Ordinance

By Jeff Adolph

Political Changes

Times just may be changing, Cincinnati are seriously considering the revision of 'Article 12' in their city ordinance, and it seems in SouthBend, IN, that they too may be looking at the same issues.

Mayor, Stephen Luecke spoke in support of amending the human rights ordinance to include the GLBT community, and while there are many other government officials and organizational leaders still to be heard at the hearing it appears many are in favor, locally and nationally. In fact, most feel the ruling is 'biased' and 'unfair.'

So just what does this ordinance currently state? Unfortunately, we were unable to find a copy, much to our distaste, though;if it were comparative to the legislation in Cincinnati, it would prevent the GLBT community member being able to obtain the same rights as a heterosexual couple.

Luecke stated that he felt it was time for his 'community to make a stand that says we oppose discrimination...and that we are for... fair housing and fair employment.'

Which is a little ironic when Article 12 in 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights,' already states, 'No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.'

In relation to RealEstate, many agents are faced with a dilemma when confronted by a member of the GLBT community, and do not have the etho's needed to deal with them, which is unfortunate. However, there are some who do, and then there are others who cater specifically to this market, who are dedicated to providing a service that far outweighs their competition on a RealEstate level.

Penny Hughes, member of the Human Rights Commission, and RealEstate agent said, 'You'll be surprised at the thank-you notes I've gotten after selling GLBT clients a house that say, "Thank you for treating me like a normal human being."

Change takes time and time is on the GLBT communities' side it seems, for a change.

As Bill Eagan of the Human Rights Commission stated, 'It took decades of small grass-roots movements in cases such as suffrage, abolition and civil rights for real change to take place, passing the ordinance won't be the end of the issue, and as history has shown, sometimes laws are challenged, the ordinance should pass and let history take its course.'

How very true, and may many of the GLBT community see an end to discrimination, not just in America but also on a global level.

Source:  Loo, J (2006) Mayor Backs Changes to Human Rights Proposal: More Hearings on Amendment to Ordinance Slated Prior to Final Vote. SouthBend Tribune. Available online at http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/News01/605090328/-1/NEWS

© 2006 Jeff Adolph Gay RealEstate USA