My article for 429 Magazine about the 7 things LGBT buyers should be aware of when purchasing a home. Read it here.
1. The Right Representation
2. Vet your Agent
3. Branching out Beyond the Gayborhoods
4. Location: Better Safe than Sorry
5. Different forms of ownership
6. Downpayment dilemma
7. Get it in writing!
Size isn’t everything! Read why length and girth don’t matter in my article for Frontiers Magazine called “Love Your Small Unit“. It’s not what you think, you perverts. It’s my tongue in cheek tips on how to maximize a small living space!
I personally love my cozy abodes. For someone like myself who has no kids, no partner, no pets and no plants, all I really need is a bed & internet connection and I’m happy as a clam. Anyone else feel the same? Or you feel bigger is better?
Here’s a video re-cap of the Better Homes & Garden Real Estate FUSION Conference. Skip to 2:24 if you wanna just see me.
I am also featured in the press release from PR Firm Kwittken + Company.
This week’s question is “How to deal with an anti-gay landlord?” Read my official answer here.
I want to share a personal story that I did not include in the article. When I was at UC Berkeley, I had an apartment that had floor to ceiling windows that faced out to Frat Row. My younger sister came to visit me one weekend from high school. She was a dancer & came to help me choreograph a show I was doing for National Coming Out Day. I was in drag rehearsing my routine in front of my sister when all of a sudden she screamed & pointed out the window. As I whipped around, I heard the entire wall of glass shatter and all I saw were shards of glass cascading all around us. We fled into another room & called the police. We huddled in a corner til they arrived.
Clearly it was a hate crime. (not to mention vandalism and assault!) I was in full drag on Frat Row, and some ‘phobes were trying to cut me…literally! The policeman was not sympathetic whatsoever. “It was just a prank..there’s nothing we can really do…blah blah” I felt ignored, ashamed, violated, unsafe (not to mention guilty for putting my little sister in danger & exposing her to the cruelty of the world outside her suburban cocoon). The only person who showed me any empathy was my landlord, who was very understanding and comforting. He said he respected me for being out and proud. That meant the world to an 18 yr old Herman. For every anti-gay landlord you encounter, there is a gay friendly landlord! There ARE people out there who care.
Going green is thee biggest trend in the real estate industry—well, besides foreclosures! Find out about right-sizing, recycled materials, eco-districts. Read my article for Frontiers Magazine.
Be kind to Mother Earth, s’il vous plait!
I was tickled pink when my gal pal Nicole Seidman asked me to guest-host on her show “Katching up with the Kardashians.” You have seen Nicole as a red carpet reporter for Hollyscoop, hosting for Gift Bag Robin Hood on STYLIT.TV, and web show called “Keepin it Real, the Ultimate Reality-Show After-Show.” Her prior guest hosts include DeAnna Pappas (“The Bachelor”), Marcy Guevera (VH1’s Cut Off) & CaCee Cobb (“The Price of Beauty”, Jessica Simpson’s assistant)
This was taped and broadcast LIVE , so no editing or re-do’s allowed. Nicole re-capped the latest Kardashian episode & I touched on their business acumen….with plenty of one-line zingers of course! Let me know how I did!
Exactly one year ago, the first webisode for HabitatForHermanity.com aired! A star was born. What began as just a fun side project has blossomed into more than I could have imagined. Thanks for watching and supporting my videoblog. I am constantly told it’s a breath of fresh in the real estate biz….and I hope to keep it that way!
xoxo
Herman
PS: Let’s revisit the webcast that launched it all. Enjoy the walk down memory lane
I’m speaking at Rainstorm! Fabulous event put on by Real Estate Blogging Site ActiveRain. RainStorm is a social evening of enlightening speakers, cocktails and networking, which kicks off the Keller Williams Family Reunion 2011 in Anaheim.
I’m one of a series of speakers who are given just 5-minutes & 20 slides to share our industry changing ideas, secrets for success, most innovative practice, or another original exciting topics. Get front seat of the latest ideas, thoughts and stories in the industry, all in a live concert-like setting at the chic Ultra Heat Lounge.
This free event starts 7pm on 2/19/11. I hit the stage at 8:13pm exactly. Don’t be late! It’s raining men…hallejuah!
Apparently, I am headlining this event for Asian Real Estate Association of America. I dunno why, because my fellow panelists are equally if not more qualified to discuss “Successful Social Networking” than me. Maybe I am the prettiest? Or the most modest?
I’m excited to be on stage with fellow UC Berkeley Alum Senh Duong, who pioneered the famous film review site Rottentomatoes.com. I want to get his take on my favorite films Fame and Elvira Mistress of the Dark
Celeb Real Estate Wrap à la Herman Chan again! On the chopping block this time is:
1. Nic Cage, King of Celeb Foreclosures
2. Donald Trump, Ivana’s Ex
3. Sally Hershberger, Hair Stylist to the Stars
Enjoy!
