SOUNDING OFF:

I am writing this letter after reading the Forum (“Better-trained Realtors keep buyers safe,” Jan. 6).

This is not in direct response to the writer, but his forum finally “pushed me over the top.”

I felt the need to rise in defense of “good” real estate agents — and, yes, there are some out there!

Twenty-five years ago, we purchased our home in Newport Beach. About a week after we moved in, it began to rain — in our living room. We realized we had a roof leak, and we called our real estate agent to see if anything could be done.

“There’s nothing I can do,” she told us. “Sue the seller.” After trying to handle the problem with the seller, we ended up suing the seller — and the agent — and settling out of court.

Flash forward to around 2000, when my husband, Michael, entered the real estate business as an agent. A client of his called him after he represented them in purchasing a home. They’d discovered a gas leak at their home. My husband stopped everything he was doing and fought very hard to have their home warranty resolve the problem, which they did.

Another client contacted my husband after living in their home a year with a similar issue. He stopped what he was doing and, again, worked very hard to resolve their problem and did so.

I have more stories like these, but you get the picture. It has never occurred to him, in any case, that it wasn’t his problem.

He just did whatever he could to help.

I have watched him treat every client as a family member. When he represents people, they become his top priority. He gives a client the same time, effort, respect and professionalism whether they are purchasing a one-bedroom condo or a multimillion dollar estate.

If you asked him “what’s your commission if you sell so-and-so” (as I often do), he would answer, “I don’t know. Haven’t thought about it.”

I know — tough to believe — but very true. I have seen him in angst while making ethical decisions, getting my opinion, consulting others, and I have watched him choose “the right thing to do” with complete disregard to his (our) financial loss or gain every time.

As a result, his clients tend to send him gifts and kind words of appreciation at closing time, not the other way around.

Michael is a moral, ethical and scrupulous agent, but not the only one. As with any profession, there are good ones and bad ones. And I don’t know whether there are more unethical agents than there are in other professions. I have been pleasantly surprised by how many agents truly care about their clients — but the “bad” get more air time.

In fact, the air time seems endless.

I believe, though, that part of the solution lies in the responsibility of the buyers and sellers of homes. Buying or selling a home is a huge decision-making process. It is also an extremely emotional process. You absolutely need someone with you who is knowledgeable in every facet of the business and is going to make your interests and concerns his or her top priority.

Yet so many folks choose a Realtor because “my friend’s daughter just got into real estate,” or, “my cousin’s boyfriend’s a Realtor,” or, “I see his signs all over, he must be good,” when they should be making this decision only after careful investigation and consideration.

Take the time to perform your own due diligence. It will pay off. Interview agents. Ask them about their experience. Ask them financial questions. Most importantly, ask them if you can contact some of their past clients, and follow up — talk to them. Find out how they were treated — guaranteed, you’ll be treated in the same manner.

JANET SALAS is a resident of Newport Beach.