Somewhere Over The Rainbow ........Skies Are Blue

....and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true, like the dream of home ownership.

 For the many buyers whom I have encountered over the last 23 years, the dream has always been the same. There were the variances in the number of bedrooms, the number of stories, as well as one versus two car garages. However, the dreams were unanimous in the quest for something beyond the bricks and mortar, a home replete with a community, and not just in the geographical sense. Invariably, buyers want to know about the neighborhood. In particular the neighbors in close proximity to the property in question. Over the years I have had questions from buyers wanting to know if they could be at home in a particular community. The inference being: Are there other biracial couples in the community? Are you aware of any other biracial children in the school? Is this community tolerant of same sex couples? Is this community tolerant of same sex couples with children of other races?

Each inquiry was seeking validation of acceptance, not unlike the heterosexual couple who wanted to know if there were other children in the neighborhood. In all cases, searching for a temperament in a community that would allow for them to inhabit the home of their choice, without prejudice. 

                                                                                                My experience has been that no matter what the make up of the of the individuals looking to find that perfect home, their needs and desires are the same as those who currently reside in the neighborhood.

You can imagine the buzz within the state and around the country, when on October 26, 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that state lawmakers must provide the rights and benefits of marriage to gays and lesbians. The written opinion gives the state legislators six months to change the marriage laws to include same sex couples, unless they provide for the same benefits and protections under something akin to civil unions.

It is interesting to note that the decision was carried with a 4 to 3 vote. The three dissenting justices wanted to grant full marriage rights, excluding the legislators involvement. Nonetheless, the decision was championed by advocates of same sex marriage.

Fast forward, four months to the day, when the New York Times published an article on November 26, 2006, in the real estate section entitled "Market Poised To Get Gay Friendlier". The article purports that the court ruling makes the state a more intriguing place to live for gay families. While there may be individuals and families that take comfort in the recent ruling, New Jersey set the political stage for inclusiveness on the political front, two years ago.

   In 2004 the domestic partnership law was enacted. This law affords same sex couples the right to joint tax status, inheritance tax exemption and medical decision-making rights. Three years before the Domestic Partnership Law, New Jersey census records indicate that there were 8257 gay couples and 8347 lesbian couples in 2001. In the small cities, towns and boroughs in the state of New Jersey, long before it was politically fashionable to be inclusive, gay and lesbian families lived side by side with their straight counterparts. 

No doubt the ruling creates a greater sense of acceptance. However, gays and lesbians will continue to seek the same sense of community that all buyers look for, a sense of community that cannot be legislated.

Every encounter with a buyer, I don the hat of what I call the Housing Wizard. As such my job is to make their dream come true, by helping them to identify the best buy for the least amount of money. A home in which they will have the right of occupancy, use and enjoyment.

In the days and months ahead, no doubt, there will be some jockeying for position in the state legislator. Likewise, my customers and I will continue to jockey for the best buy, seeking to satisfy that universal quest for the perfect residence. 

We all would like a place to call home!!!!!!