Letters to the Editor

Re: 'Being an agent is being a non-expert' (Feb. 11)

Dear Editor:

I think it's always been true that you can only lead them to the water. I don't really care what they buy, that's up to them, but I do feel good when I find the one they want, and I know it's the one.

But what drove me out of the business for several years was what happened after they made the offer and the transaction challenges arose. They just wouldn't believe me when I said they should meet the seller/buyer halfway, decommission the oil tank, get a repair done, offer a little money on one side or the other to smooth a snag. They thought I was just out to make a commission when I just wanted to help them get the deal done. The hundreds of deals I had done were of no import. I hated it. That inherent conflict was too much.

Now I almost exclusively work with people in dire straits, delinquent, in foreclosure, short sales (a nightmare), and so on. Most of these people just do what I tell them. Much better. I get to be the expert I am.

Paul Johnston
Broker, president
River City Equities Inc.
Portland, Ore.

Re: 'Contractors dish dirt on referrals, job costs' (Jan. 30)

Dear Editor:

I just finished building my dream home. It took over a year. It was a terrific experience, and we learned a great deal.

Mostly, we learned that you get what you pay for. We had a couple of contractors who we chose based on price. We are now having some of that work re-done. The craftsmen who didn't discount their work didn't have to have their work done over. We are having some additional work done, and we haven't even asked for bids. We just called the contractors and had them come over and do the work. We simply asked them to charge us for time and materials. We knew that we'd get a good job done on time and at a fair price. Simple. We expect them to make a profit, and it is much cheaper and easier in the long run to only do a job once. Less stress, too!

Gil Sandoval
John L. Scott Real Estate
Maple Valley, Wash.

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