Gay Realtors report impact to home values, with violence like the CO theatre shooting?

In this day and age violence seems to be around every corner ~ from violent television to drastically inappropriate video games, and movie ratings dropping (allowing more and more children to watch movies that are too “mature” for their eyes), it’s no surprise people question how safe they are. When the violence jumps off the screen and into the real world, it becomes almost too much to handle for some people.

Events like the recent Colorado theatre shooting definitely impact the value of homes and the desirability of living or relocating to certain areas.

It is a tough age to be living in, both economically and socially. With rising home costs and fewer available jobs, finding a place to call “home” can become increasingly more difficult.

So what impact does the CO theatre shooting, 911 and the recent Mosque shootings have on home values? Looking specifically at the event that occurred on September 11, 2001, studies show us that the price of homes dropped more than 25 percent over night! Now the housing market had already been suffering to some extent, but the increased violence played a huge role in the drop. Business’ suffered everywhere after 9/11 and that included home values.

It is essential to remember that people will always pay for peace of mind, but if that is not available no amount of “a good deal” will make a person choose a home or location they don’t feel safe or protected in.

The recent horrific events of the Colorado “The Dark Knight Rises” theater shooting has left many stunned. Although there are no reports from our Metro Denver Gay Realtors (yet) on how this will affect home values, it is quite simple to predict. Once again this is a simple “do people feel safe?” scenario. Imagine that you have a choice to move to Aurora, Colorado or another place for employment ~ you have children, and enjoy doing things together as a family. Both places offer the same pay, and the same benefits, so which would you choose?

More people today would opt for another location, solely based on the Aurora Colorado shooting. According to a survey of gay realtors nationwide, Aurora home values will decrease just based upon less people choosing to move into the area and the stigma this tragedy has left behind.

Other violently devastating acts such as Columbine prompted people to want to move to a more secure location ~ or maybe it’s just to leave the memory behind… people did move out of the general area, and others I’m sure still remember the horrific event almost 10 years later, when “Littleton, Colorado” is even mentioned.

Let’s not forget to take into account how much these events devastate other businesses such as entertainment and tourism.

There are two choices: continue to watch these violent acts submerge and lose value in your house, or much more importantly, peace of mind. Or take the initiative in your own life and community to ensure sensible laws are brought forward and enforced, to deter these violent acts ~ while maintaining our freedoms and the ability to live our lives and secure our properties and their value without fear.

Jeff Hammerberg is the Founding CEO of www.GayRealEstate.com ~ The Nation’s Oldest and Largest Free Database of Gay, Lesbian and Gay Friendly Realtors Coast to Coast.