Home Sellers Specialize in Helping Gays; Real Estate Agents Know Gay-Friendly Areas and Make Sure Partners Are Legally Protected

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Byline: JESSIE-LYNNE KERR

With social and legal nuances of same-sex relationships becoming more pronounced, a growing number of real estate agents in Jacksonville are specializing in helping gay and lesbian homeowners.

While the agents cannot legally steer anyone to or away from a particular neighborhood, some said it is important to know the gay-friendly areas of the market and be able to identify with this segment of society.

It is also important, they said, to make sure partners are legally protected should something go wrong.

"For instance, which one will get to deduct the mortgage interest from their income tax return is one concern. They need to make sure that the deed is …