Doing Something Right

After reading “Real Estate Q&A;” and “Letters” weekly, I have noticed a peculiar pattern of real estate agents bad-mouthing Robert J. Bruss, yet the average public praising him. This tells me he’s doing an excellent job of informing the public of the possible danger involved in real estate transactions.

Although I own two houses in Los Angeles, I am, by no means, an expert. Much of the advice given by Bruss is common sense that tends to be overlooked by the average person during the hustle and bustle of a real estate transaction.

Agents writing in, want to complain about every bit of good advice given by Bruss. A 90-day listing is not long enough, they say. The advice is, if the agent’s doing a good job, renew the listing. If not, change agents. When interviewing agents, those who are too busy to do necessary paper work before receiving a listing, do not deserve the listing. Agents who complain about all the inspectors and appraisers they have to meet with, need to face the fact that it’s part of the job.

If the public writes in telling Bruss that they are leaning toward a “for sale by owner” deal, Bruss always tells them to go through an agent, whether they are the buyer or the seller. I wonder why we never hear agents complaining about this advice? If a mother tells her young child to beware of strangers, it doesn’t mean that every stranger is a bad guy, only that the danger exists. That’s all Bruss is telling the public, to beware because the danger of a bad agent does exist.

ED HALE, Canoga Park