The Least Trusted (Part One)

I've a running debate with a contractor, one my closest friends, over who's the least trusted, real estate agents or contractors? "Shoot", my buddy would lament, "you guys are up there with pediatricians and firehouse dalmatians. Whereas contractors are lumped with used car salesmen and big tobacco."

"Probably so," I'd allow, "but we're making up ground."

Sticker shock backlash and the sub-prime pratfall, have acidulated public opinion, as agents enjoy less influence and standing than before.

The (Very Little) Help You Sell-ers, are disappearing, replaced by full service agents with marketing experience and sales tested acumen. The industry is undergoing yet another grand personnel reorganization, last seen when Sotheby's acquired DBL and the Keller Williams recruitment blitz began. Osman Realty goes under, a new brokerage,Telis, is poaching some of Coldwell Banker's top performers, while Prudential evacuates the Larchmont strip.

I'm staying put incidentally, even if my brokerage is an unknown West of LaCienega. I haven't any designs on the Beverly Hills market after all, and I'd probably get lost driving to the Palisades.

***********************************
I received more than one comment on Palm Avenue.
Most wanted to know the price. I hadn't set one.
Another wanted to know in which MLS it was listed--it isn't.
It's all in the past tense because an offer was made and accepted, same day.

Another quick-hitter was our would-be showcase on Virginia in Lafayette Square. A preemptive offer took it out, slicing our prospective inventory yet more. I'll update our inventory in my next post.

I appreciate all the inquiries and interest.