Columnist was Dear Abby of real estate

  • By Tom Kelly Herald Columnist
  • Friday, October 12, 2007 7:15pm
  • Business

The recent Latin America Real Estate Conference in Florida was jammed with interesting news on the number of baby boomers investigating a purchase south of the border, the impact of the subprime markets on international funds and how the U.S. construction slowdown has affected how much foreign workers send back home.

In the middle of pursuing at least three news stories, I received word that longtime real estate columnist and colleague Bob Bruss had died at age 67. The news stunned and saddened me and temporarily moved everything else to the back burner. It was like hearing about the surprising loss of a famous band leader who you thought would never stop playing. You begin to recall when and where you were when the songs were first heard.

I had the pleasure of knowing Bruss, whose work appeared in more than 200 newspapers, on a variety of levels. I found it bitingly ironic that I learned of his death at an international second-home conference — a topic he encouraged me to cover after I co-wrote a book about how a second home can be a terrific investment.

“There are lot of people now looking outside the states for investments and second homes,” Bruss told me four years ago. “Not everybody wants to go to Florida or Arizona — or can afford it. Maybe you can show me another way to make profits.”

“Profits” was one of his favorite words and goals. For readers in his columns and in his own investments. Bruss, who earned a law degree in San Francisco, remained in the Bay Area and invested in dozens of rentals near his Burlingame home. One of the mainstay points in his advice columns was to consider rental properties within an hour’s drive of your primary residence. That way, Bruss would say, you could keep an eye on your investment “even if you have a management company handling your property. If you are not actively managing the property, you can always drive by and see if the manager is doing his job.”

Sometimes known as the “Dear Abby” of real estate, I always anticipated reading the “Best of Bob Bruss” when the Minnesota native finally took an actual vacation. He never did and continued to churn out advice columns, book reviews and helpful source material until a few weeks before he died.

Two decades ago, in my position as a section editor for a major metropolitan newspaper, I was on the buying end of Bruss’ articles for years. I was responsible for placing the type on the assigned page and often ribbed him for drumming up business by using “consult your attorney (later ‘tax adviser’) for details” at the bottom of his pieces. He also preferred his column picture depicting him as a far younger man. When I questioned him about this he responded, “Tom, you just haven’t seen me lately. I look great.”

We also were intrigued by the same subjects and often exchanged notes on new developments and Internal Revenue Service codes on common interests such as tax-deferred exchanges, home-sale exclusions and reverse mortgages. And, although we were friends and enjoyed seeing each other at builder shows, realty agent conventions and the National Association of Real Estate Editors meetings, he had a way of letting me know when something I wrote was out of order — always with a velvet hammer. Bruss was all about order — in his dress (always a blue blazer and gray trousers) and in his filing of weekly columns.

One year, when I published a book with economist John Tuccillo, Bruss was flabbergasted that we inserted a chapter on tax-deferred investments so early into the work. He felt it absolutely needed to be part of a later section. Here’s what he wrote in his nationally syndicated review:

“What were the authors thinking? Fortunately, the book then gets back on track in the next chapter discussing how to find and acquire a potentially profitable and affordable second or vacation home.”

Bruss was smart, ethical, thrifty (“I want you to know I spent $19.95 of my hard-earned, writing money on your book — you’re lucky it was worth it.”) and eager for you to know where you could save a buck — be it on Broadway play tickets or home services. He was generous with his time, eager to help consumers understand their rights and he went out of his way to explain the pros and cons of owning the roof over your head.

I did not always agree with his advice to readers, but he was usually spot-on. He once wrote that a single woman, a regular reader of his columns, should not be in a hurry to pay off her mortgage, and should rather wait and “pay it off with tomorrow’s inflated dollars.” The woman called our business news desk, saying she would “sleep better at night” if she knew she owned her home free and clear.

“I hope you told her that her sleep was more important than a few potential extra dollars,” Bruss said later. “I would hate to think I caused her to lose sleep.”

No, Bob, you helped so many of us sleep easier. I will miss your columns and your friendship.

Donations in Bruss’ memory may be sent to: Edina Educational Fund, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina, MN 55424.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.