‘Integrity and Honesty’ Needed on Both Sides to Close Sale

I’ve been an active Realtor in the Hollywood Hills for 23 years and after reading “All Yours” (Jan. 7), I must protest. The reader is warned about the “traditional” agent, i.e., that agent who wishes to sell his listings so that his “incentives” and commission can be collected, buyer be damned.

Real estate transactions are by their very nature bilateral. Unless all parties to the transaction are treated with the utmost care, integrity and honesty, problems invariably arise. Those of us who have been in business more than 10 minutes are acutely aware of this. The premise that somehow buyers’ agents have an exclusive on honesty and integrity is ludicrous.

JUDIE CARSON

Los Angeles

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The real estate brokers interviewed for “All Yours” must have been misquoted or have a dangerously low level of understanding of real estate law (dangerous to themselves and clients). All anyone would have to do is read an Agency Disclosure Statement to know the law and the obligations it demands. This statement, which must by law be given to all buyers and sellers before starting any contracts, obviates every statement in the article.

I don’t believe anyone with any time in the real estate business could have made those statements, even if to push their new and, sounds like, failing way of doing business.

SCOTT ROBINSON

Associate broker

White House Properties

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“All Yours” suggested that a home buyer can only receive proper representation through dealing with an exclusive buyer’s agent. The article is so filled with representations, generalizations and conclusions that cannot be supported by fact that it should be unbelievable even to people who have never been involved in a real estate transaction. However, some response to the article is deserved.

“The agent was working as a dual agent and therefore obligated by law to represent the seller’s interests,” the article said. In dual agency, the law mandates identical agency obligations to the buyer and seller.

“If you have a buyer’s broker representing your interest you are more likely to learn about defects in the house,” the article said.

On average the listing agent will know more about a listed property than a buyer’s agent. By law a listing agent or dual agent has a duty to disclose to all parties all facts, known to the agent, materially affecting the desirability or value of the property.

BOB WOOLSEY

Century 21-Gene Hart

Claremont