Creating Home, Centering Us 🌈 : The Heart Behind Fawn Dabrowiak’s Real Estate Work

It was such an honor to photograph Fawn, a queer real-estate agent in Denver at her home with her two sweet cats. She is such an inspiring queer person in business, I thought it would be great to interview her and to feature her “why” on this Queer Joy Blog.

What inspired you to start your real estate business in Denver as a queer-owned business, and how has your identity shaped the way you support your clients?

As a queer person I wanted to make sure my identity was front and center to my business because I wanted my people to find me. We all know how important it is to feel comfortable and safe and seen, especially during such a HUGE moment in a person’s life, such as buying or selling a home. When starting my business, I intentionally set out to set myself apart from what one traditionally imagines as a real estate agent – sales-y, in a suit, all business – and I wanted to try to bring a social justice forward perspective to my business. I do this by being involved in the community, giving back, serving on realtor boards, and paying reparations. 

What do you wish more LGBTQIA+ folks knew about the home-buying or selling process—especially those who may feel uncertain, overwhelmed, or underrepresented?

I once thought buying a home was impossible. And for some folks, it truly may be, and that’s okay. But if you’re curious and think it might be possible, I say just start gathering info and start talking to folks because it may be easier than you think! Even if you don’t have a W2 paying job, I know queer lenders in this industry that specialize in helping self-employed people, small business owners, or folks who work in the cannabis or sex work industries. There are options! And there are homebuyer assistance programs, too! Honestly, I just want to do whatever I can to help people get off the track of padding the investments of the landlord class, and start paying themselves through home equity. Also! Co-buying with friends is such a great option. Queer folks don’t always live in nuclear family situations anyway, so why not pool resources with community and make it happen together?

How do you create a sense of safety and trust for queer and trans clients navigating a historically cis/heteronormative industry like real estate?

I’m a queer, cis-ish person whose loved ones (including partner) are trans and so it’s really important for me to help other queer, trans, and nonbinary folks know that I got them. Pronouns will always be respected. Intersectional identities will always be honored. Neurodivergencies will always be understood. I also do my best to team up with other individuals in this industry (mortgage lenders, inspectors, photographers, etc.) who are either queer or allied. I’m here to protect my clients from as much bullshit in this industry as possible. I can’t say it won’t always happen (it does, it has) but I will be right there with you to deal with it.

What does queer joy look like for you when you hand over the keys to a new home—or when you help someone close a meaningful chapter in their housing journey?

Ah I love this question! Honestly, it’s just so exciting to see that look on my clients faces when we’ve found the one. And then we face the hurdles of the actual under contract period together to get the very end, signing at the closing table. It’s just so exciting and is my favorite part of my job. And I love snapping everyone’s pics at their new home during the final walkthrough – the joy on their faces is just so evident! The feeling of owning your home, especially for first-time homebuyers, is just so incredible and it really comes through.

Why is it important to you to be visible as a queer business owner in Denver, and how do you hope to uplift or connect with the broader LGBTQ+ community through your work?

Like I said, I want my people to find me! I want clients to have a good experience where they don’t have to worry for one second about being authentic with me. I want to help queer people own homes! Statistics show we still lag far behind straight folks when it comes to homeownership, and then when you add other intersectional identities like race, then the stats just plummet. I want to help build wealth within our underserved communities, and homeownership is just such an important step towards this, and I’ll keep advocating for that no matter what!

Thank you so much for being you Fawn. You are an inspiration to many of us queer folks here in Denver! Where can people find you?

Website: https://www.fawnloveshomes-realtor.com/

Instagram: @fawn.loves.homes