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Green Light For Civil Unions

By
Real Estate Agent with ERA Queen City Realty

In less than sixty days, the New Jersey legislature complied with the court order to address the issue of same sex marriages. I wrote about this very topic as it relates to a New York Times article purporting expected increases in home sales, Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

New Jersey joins the ranks of Vermont and Connecticut, as the Governor has indicated he will sign the bill into law. Massachusetts is the only state in the union to have sanctioned marriage for same sex couples and California has domestic partnerships.

I still maintain that we will not see any appreciable difference in sales activity as a result of the new bill. The market condition in New Jersey is much the same as the rest of the country. Days on market for most listings is at least sixty days, buyers remain skeptical and sellers are feeling the pressure.

Real Estate professionals in New Jersey, like elsewhere, must stay the course and make sure that consumers know that Real Estate Opportunities Abound For Buyers. Despite the media's adverse press about the real estate market, now more than ever buyers should be looking to make offers and acquire property.

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Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA
Bill, I just read Somewhere Over The Rainbow and I think you are probably right. In those areas where domestic partnerships have been accepted, the fact that same sex couples will now be able to officially marry will not change their already existent desire for a sense of community. It may give them peace about their status in the community, but gay and lesbian couples in California have been buying homes together without legalized marriage. Good write up!
Dec 22, 2006 10:51 AM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

Jeff,

Thanks for stopping by. It is now law as the governor has signed off....but the phones are not ringing off the hook.

Dec 22, 2006 04:54 PM
Don Fabrizio-Garcia
Fab Real Estate - Danbury, CT
Owner/Broker/Trainer - Fab Real Estate
Civil unions, unfortunately, don't do enough for gay and lesbian couples that own proprety together.  Never mind that wills and careful planning are still needed, but upon the death of one partner, the other partner will suddenly owe tax on the "inherited" 1/2 of the home. 
Jan 07, 2007 03:19 AM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

Don,

The gains made in the individual states will be the catalyst to move the federal government on this issue. Given the recent changes in Washington, 2007 is the year to press forward on the issue of parity for all Americans.

Jan 07, 2007 04:40 AM