Realty Boards and the ‘Best’ Agents

Robert Bruss is lacking in knowledge and good sense, good common sense, when it comes to real estate brokerage and practices.

For example, in the March 11 column, the subheading reads: “Why Does Realty Board Not Give Answer?” Instead of replying to that question, he castigates the board for being “uncooperative.”

Here are a couple of reasons for the board’s response. I’m sure that a little more thought would provide others.

1--If any employee of any realty board responded by naming individuals or firms, that employee should be fired. The board is in no position to single out individuals or firms for any reason, good or bad. It would be unfair and insulting to all of the other board members.

2--In many boards, certainly a board as large as the San Fernando Valley, nobody knows who the three “most successful” agents are. Nor, would anyone know with certainty who the three “largest” brokerage firms are. There are too many ways of measuring . . . and exaggerating.

Now, Bruss knows, or should know, these things. It is downright stupid for him to write “there is no reason you should not have been given the names of top agents.” Furthermore, just because “top agents” have their pictures in the paper does not necessarily make them top in the firm, much less in the board. In fact, the statistics are often dubious, inflated, or ambiguous.

It’s really sad that you print Bruss every week. The hours those of us active in the field spend countering the misinformation he spews could be spent much more productively.

HARRY Y. SNYDER

Woodland Hills

Snyder is a realtor.

Robert Bruss Replies:

Most local Boards of Realtors and Multiple Listing Services give annual awards such as for Circle of Excellence members, Million-Dollar Club members, Top Volume Salesperson, Top Volume Brokerage office, Realtor of the Year and other recognition for their outstanding members.

Since all the members know who these winners are, why keep the names of these successful members a secret from property buyers and sellers who request this information? To avoid unfair favoritism, local boards can easily prepare a written list of their award-winning members and mail a copy to inquirers who request it.

Recently, I talked with several executive directors of local Boards of Realtors who tell me they receive inquiries almost every day from prospective home buyers and sellers who request this information. Many boards gladly share these names with the public, whereas others refuse to do so, usually because the non-winning members protest. In my opinion, there is no valid reason for not telling inquirers the names of award-winning local realtors. This is the type of positive information realtors should be using to enhance their public image.