Thanks for stopping by to checkout the GLT’s new real estate column. After years of syndicated columns by acknowledged experts the GLT embarks on a format that will be more valuable to readers. Local experts for local readers, because like politics, ALL real estate is local.

A little about me. I am the president and managing broker of ARG Abbott Realty Group (argsd.com) – home to thirty five of the hardest working people in our business. I co-own MetroTrust Mortgage. I’ve been at this since 1985, right here in San Diego. My professional volunteer activities include stints on the boards of both San Diego and the California Association of Realtors. I have served on ethics panels, governmental affairs committees and have been a frequent national news source for downtown San Diego real estate. I currently serve as the San Diego Association of Realtors senior director on the board of Sandicor – the nation’s first regional MLS system. I am on the board of NAGLREP – see below for more on this acronym.

Your questions are appreciated. I will cover as many as space allows. The rest we will handle by phone or email. Send them to: info@argsd.com. You’ll notice that this column will include advice from other brokers, agents, lenders and affiliated professionals. After 25 years, I’ve come to rely on real estate’s best and brightest. You should, too, and so they will be quoted here often.

To toss some good karma into our launch piece, allow me to update you on what’s being done by our industry on behalf of GLBT Americans.

Last month, the Equal Opportunity – Cultural Diversity Committee of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) voted by an overwhelming majority to add sexual orientation and gender awareness to NAR’s Code of Ethics – the rules which govern all Realtors. The full NAR board will vote on this landmark issue in November. Never in its103-year history has the nation’s largest trade group added a protected status to its Code of Ethics, before that class was afforded legal protection by the federal government. NAR General Counsel Laurie Janik presented a compelling argument in favor, proving once again that if people will just listen to the case for equality, they are likely to support it.

As GLBT Californians we are somewhat sheltered from the overt homophobia prevalent in much of the country’s housing markets. Instructing the nation’s real estate professionals that their GLBT clients must be treated equally, will go along way toward fair housing for our community throughout the US. Kudos to the Wisconsin Association of Realtors whose brilliant planning and arm-twisting brought the desired results. And especially to the aforementioned NAGLREP – the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals who’s tireless founder Jeff Berger will not rest until fair housing for the GLBT community is codified everywhere. NAGLREP’s efforts are a great example of private industry professionals affecting positive social change.

NAGLREP has members across the country and should you need real estate services, I urge you to visit naglrep.com to find a Realtor who cares about your civil rights as much as your business. Besides me, local NAGLREP members include:

• David Yoder, Ascent Real Estate, david@davidyoder.com

• Rand Allen, Ascent Real Estate, rand@randallen.com

• Tamara Zyhylij, Ascent Real Estate, tamara@tamarazhomes.com

• Jim Beitzel, Ascent Real Estate, jim@jimbeitzel.com

• George Pappas, Century 21 1st Choice Realty, georgepappasrealtor@yahoo.com

• Sandi Hadley, Prudential California Realty, sandih@prusd.com

• Suzanne Hefni-Pyle, Buyer’s Only Costal Realty, suzanne@costalbuyers.com

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