West Newsmagazine 3-6-24

4 I OPINION I
March 6, 2024
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Eminent domain
Re: The Cathy Lenny piece on Chesterfield’s
plan to use eminent domain to clear
the way for Chesterfield Mall redevelopment.
Why isn’t there more outrage for
cities using the double bludgeon of eminent
domain and tax increment financing to
stuff our taxes into the wallets of wealthy
developers? If developers cannot finance
their own projects then maybe that project
is not worth existing. If they cry crocodile
tears to the cities, then they can just take
a hike. Pardon my naivete. These projects
rarely produce the benefits and revenue to
justify what they cost...look at the Dome.
Bryce Frazier
Re: Home is where the NAR is
That’s insulting! (And uninformed). The
Feb. 21, 2024 editorial, “Home is where
the NAR is” says my real estate experience
can be replaced by websites. Fact:
The only role real estate websites replace
is the “listing book” of available homes
previously published for realtors to share
with their buyer clients.
Surely the single, most expensive,
legally-binding transaction any person
can complete should warrant experienced
guidance.
Buying a home is far more than locating
potential homes. That’s why most buyers
are represented by a fiduciary-responsible
buyer’s agent. Otherwise, an unrepresented
buyer is truly undermatched negotiating
with a professionally represented
seller. Who, by the way, represents the best
interests of their seller-client.
Want to write a winning home sale offer?
Better have someone who understands the
minimum nine residential sale contract
contingencies knows what’s included, how
the loan, title, inspection, insurance, earnest
money and occupancy requirements
work. And let’s say that buyer wants OUT
of their contract, can a website help with
that?
Let’s correct the 5.5% average commission
fee statement. It’s split four ways;
not two. Buyers’ real estate company
and buyers’ agent; and then sellers’ real
estate company and sellers’ agent. So
that’s down to about 1.375% to the agent.
Remember too, we’re paid 100% commission,
with no benefits and only after a
sale is completed.
However, I’ll say any average homeowner,
involved in a dozen real estate
transactions (as the article stated the
“average agent” has) may do well enough
relying on a website only; but I wouldn’t
recommend it, professionally speaking.
Dana Tippit
Less is more
Socialism has negative connotations due
to its myriad failures and human suffering
throughout history, not because of Republicans.
If you believe social security is a
success, why is the trust due to go insolvent
by 2033? Over time, Democrats voted
to increase the percent paid in, increased
the wage cap, voted to make it taxable and
voted to rob the trust and leave an IOU. It’s
a ponzi scheme relying on fewer future
beneficiaries to pay for increased current
ones.
It’s a political wedge, poorly run and
a drain on the budget. Why stop at “rich”
people? Stop giving everyone’s percent to
the government...put it in a personal IRA
or 401k and phase out government benefits
over time. You make it sound like one’s
failure to save for the future is the government’s
responsibility. Sorry, lost my head...
Democrats believe everyone is a victim.
That’s what leads to big government/overreach.
We go in thinking we can retire at
say, 65, then because of government mismanagement
or demographics, our benefits
are cut or we have to keep working? It’s
our money! What happened to personal
responsibility? Less government is more.
No Social Security admin/offices, no waiting
in line for Q&A, no political wedge…
Heaven on earth.
Jon Schulte
CORRECTION: The Feb. 21 issue
should have featured the following On The
Cover information: Chris Hartley, of the
Sophia M.Sachs Butterfly House, is shown
with longtime Chesterfield conservationist
Darcy Capstick. (Photo by Elaine Collins)
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