Celebrating Pride and Homeownership Month in Kansas City

I wanted to make a post celebrating Pride Month, but to be honest, it's hard to put a positive spin on the state of homeownership for the LGBTQ+ community right now. I thought I could find a good article to share from one of my professional orgs. While the National Association of Realtors at least made a 2-sentence Facebook post, I'm disappointed that my local chapter, the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORs, hasn't posted anything acknowledging Pride on social media today. June is also National Homeownership Month, so I'll take it upon myself to discuss where these two overlap.

The state of LGBTQ Homeownership

The LGBTQ+ homeownership rate is 49.8%, trailing the national average of 65.1%, according to a 2024 Fannie Mae report . Many LGBTQ+ buyers, especially trans folks, face barriers that the general population doesn't. Homebuying is a legal process and financial transaction; details like legal name and government ID not matching a person's preferred name & pronouns have to be discussed up front. Legal name and marital status must be on all offers/contracts, something I've long side-eyed as an opportunity for unconscious bias or outright discrimination. LGBTQ+ buyers have legitimate concerns about safety, legal protections and finding affirming professionals. Everyone wants to be safe, respected and welcomed when purchasing a home – but for some buyers, it can take more up-front research about who to work with.

Kansas City: Home to a Vibrant LGBTQ+ Community

In the past few years, Kansas and Missouri (along with many other states) have passed legislation that increases discrimination against LGBTQ+ people – especially trans children. Approximately 31% of the LGBTQ+ population lives in states with negative policies, such as bans on gender-affirming care. I've already worked with several households who migrated away from Kansas City in search of safer communities, and this breaks my heart. However, I have worked with many more queer folks who are choosing to stay in Kansas City. This is home! Investing in homeownership here, now, is an act of resistance. (And frankly, most people can't afford to move from KC to a HCOL coastal city.)

Finding Hope - and Home - in the Heartland

One of my favorite shows from the last few years is "Somebody Somewhere," an HBO dramedy set in Topeka. It features a cast of rural queer characters who go to church, cheer for K-State, work in agriculture and try to get their steps in. What I love about it is how it shows, so genuinely, that queer people call Kansas HOME. I've lived in Kansas most of my life, and I'm committed to making it a more inclusive place for all.

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Front view of a stone house with lit windows, a glowing porch, and autumn flowers lining the walkway

Is your Kansas City home haunted?

By Angela Martellaro • October 23, 2026

Happy spooky season, Kansas City! As your local real estate agent, I love seeing all the unique ways homeowners decorate for Halloween! But if you suspect your home might house ACTUAL ghosts, I have a scary story for you: a surprising number of "haunted" house cases aren't supernatural at all. They're caused by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning! The Science Behind the "Spooks" Throughout history, many reports of ghostly phenomena—from feeling an eerie presence watching you in the hallway to hearing weird "whooshing" noises—have been traced back to dangerous carbon monoxide leaks from broken heating systems. In a famous documented case from 1921, a family moved into a home and began seeing apparitions of a woman in black and feeling watched, only to discover two days after moving in that their broken furnace was flooding the home with carbon monoxide. Toxicologists explain that toxic gas exposure alters brain chemistry, causing vivid hallucinations, chest tightness, and a heavy sense of impending doom. In short: you might not need an exorcist, you might just need to service your HVAC! "Spooky" Symptoms to Watch Out For If your home starts giving you eerie feelings, pay close attention to your body. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include: Visual apparitions & auditory hallucinations (such as hearing mysterious "whoosh" or ocean-like sounds) An unexplained feeling of dread or the sensation that someone is watching or following you Physical pressure or pain in your chest Headaches, pale skin, fatigue, and general feeling of illness Common Household Sources of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuel burns incompletely. In residential homes, primary sources include: Faulty or broken furnaces and boilers Gas leaks Unserviced gas-burning appliances (including water heaters) What to Do If You Suspect a Leak If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak or experience any of the symptoms above: Evacuate Immediately: Get all family members and pets out of the house into fresh air right away. Call for Help: Contact 911 or your local gas utility immediately to test for a leak, as unchecked exposure can quickly become fatal. Get an Inspection: Have a licensed HVAC technician thoroughly inspect and service your system Keep the Ghosts Away: Check Your CO Detectors! The single best line of defense for your home and family is installing carbon monoxide alarms . Pro-Tip for Homeowners: Test your CO detectors monthly, replace batteries regularly, and make sure you have alarms installed on every level of your home (especially outside bedrooms). Looking to Buy or Sell in the Kansas City Metro? If you're panic selling after a paranormal encounter, call Ghostbusters! Otherwise, call me! Reach out today to chat about your Kansas City real estate goals .

Modern mudroom backpack drop zone organization with cubbies and hooks

Celebrating Pride and Homeownership Month in Kansas City