Most lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans worry about discrimination when looking for a home to buy or rent based on responses from nearly 1,800 people.

Almost three-quarters of poll participants expressed concern about bias from real estate agents, home sellers, landlords, mortgage firms, property management companies and neighbors.

The study “opens the door for more thoughtful discussion throughout the real estate industry as to how we can best serve and help these consumers achieve the dream of homeownership,” says Sherry Chris of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, which conducted the survey in conjunction with the National Association of Gay and Lesbian Real Estate Professionals (NAGLREP).

The survey found that the overwhelming majority of LGBT consumers view homeownership positively, and more than half already own some kind of real estate.

“Individuals who identify themselves as LGBT represent an estimated buying power of $840 billion and reportedly live in 99.3 percent of all counties nationwide,” says NAGLREP founder Jeff Berger. “The LGBT community is a key part of the nation’s landscape and a powerful market segment that is increasingly achieving social milestones that are historical triggers to home purchases, such as partnerships, marriage and having children.”

Source: Media Post Publications