We'll Miss You Bob

I first remember reading Bob Bruss back in the 1980's. Those of us who were agents read his weekly Sunday column with both dread and anticipation. Would this be the week that he said something that helped us with our business or would we be fielding even more objections because he said something contrary to what we believed to be true? Bob never had trouble throwing a curve ball at those of us who were brokers. As I look back at his amazing body of work, however, there is no doubt that he wanted only the best for the real estate consumer. His columns were always about how buyers and sellers could make the best decisions possible when it came to real estate.

I had the privilege of meeting Bob in person at the Inman conferences. He was a true gentleman in every respect. Bob also was extremely generous in terms of helping other writers. He regularly reviewed new real estate books, always with an eye for how the book would help the industry or the consumer.

I remember when I first started writing for Inman News and receiving a note from Bob telling me I had written the best real estate column ever. The column was about the worst experience I ever had with an escrow that included two foreclosure proceedings, tax liens, a short sale, coupled with the Malibu fire and the 1994 Northridge Quake. We closed the transaction by working hand in hand with the lender, the tax assessor, as well as the seller and buyers. To me, that's perhaps the greatest legacy that Bob leaves behind--a vision of a business where we work together to do what is in the best interest of the people we serve.

Bob, you served us well. May those of us left behind be worthy to pick up the mantle and follow in your footsteps.

Posted by Bernice Ross, www.RealEstateCoach.com

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