AGENTS DO WORK FOR YOU
It was refreshing to read an article ("Hope For Young Homebuyers," by Deirdre Fulton, February 23) that portrays what truly is happening with today's real-estate market.
And it was not just some more of the re-hashed doom and gloom of mainstream media. Truth is — it is a great time to jump into real estate and purchase a home.
I did find it disappointing that you decided to pair the article with Jeff Inglis's opinion piece ("Stuff You Really Should Know") which at best passes for irresponsible and inaccurate journalism.
The truth is, real-estate agents do work for you.
In order to become a realtor, one must pass state and national exams and attend Maine Real Estate Commission ethics classes in preparation to becoming a licensed sales agent as well as ongoing classes to ensure that we keep up-to-date on all issues related to real estate in the state of Maine. We are licensed professionals that also are subject to punitive measures should rightful complaints be judged against us.
Real-estate agents and brokers represent either sellers as a listing agent in trying to get them the best price and deal for their home, or buyers as a buyer agent in trying to get them the best possible price and home that suits their needs and desires.
Persons purchasing a home can fall into two categories: a customer — someone not represented by a realtor — or a client, someone who is legally represented through a buyer-agreement contract.
As a buyer and in becoming a client of a realtor it generally does not cost you to be represented, and is in your best interest to be legally represented.
In representing a buyer, realtors owe their clients full fiduciary responsibilities — care, confidentiality, obedience, accountability, loyalty, disclosure, and due diligence.
In representing a buyer we can investigate all aspects of a home: market value, structural integrity, school and neighborhood data, arrange for inspectors, appraisals, help with finding a suitable mortgage partner, assessor data, deed information, professional referrals, and much, much more. We advise and we negotiate. We also are an impartial voice in what is often one of the most emotional decisions that people make in their lives. We are to be trusted and relied upon in our opinions because we encounter all the possible obstacles in real-estate transactions each and every day and are there to guide you through the process and to help you find the answers to your questions.
So if you are thinking about buying a home, call your favorite realtor or attend a homebuyer seminar and find out more information about what happens in a real-estate transaction.
David K. Roberts
South Portland
MORE RETRO-OPPORTUNITIES
I liked your article ("Retrosexuals Rejoice!," by Deirdre Fulton, January 23) but was disappointed that it was 100 percent hetero. If you ever do a follow-up story, you could mine a rich field with the same-sex retros. Imagine the story possibilities of "I had no idea you were gay, too," "You were the school flamer, but I didn't even know I was gay then," or "I was too scared to say a word to you. I thought you might beat me up and tell everyone" — leading to a potentially fun time for all many years later. LGBT kids are coming out younger now, and I'm very happy for them, but for us gay oldheads — I'm 36 — high school was full of thwarted crushes that seldom got voiced.
Mike Russell
Portland
