The latest interview in our series spotlighting the Realtors who answer the questions in the Ask A Realtor section is Linda Walters, a Realtor in the lovely Main Line area of Pennsylvania. Linda is a triple threat, she’s a buyer’s agent, a real estate attorney, and she participates in local charities (she’s shown at an event in the picture above).

You are a buyer’s agent, what was it about working with buyers that made you want to specialize in that area of real estate?
Because I was trained as an attorney, I have an advocate point of view. That doesn’t mean adversarial or confrontational, just that I take the point-of-view of the client. I felt that the traditional ways of representing home buyers did not offer this alternative to the buyer side. I love what I do. I always say that being a listing agent is like having an arranged wedding—you get the good and the bad houses and you have to make them look desirable. But using an exclusive buyer’s agent is like going to a website like Match.com—you get to pick only the very best ones to select from and end up with!

You are also a real estate attorney, I know you don’t work as an attorney and a broker on the same transaction but are there any specific challenges or advantages to having both skill sets?
I get too involved with legal issues and try to solve them for my buyers. I have obtained mechanics lien title coverages, drafted easements for driveways, written co-habitation agreements for non-married couples and contacted authorities when lenders have committed a wrong against a buyer. I always draft concise addendums when we have complicated issues that have to go in the agreement of sale. So much of this profession is legal and complicated that I feel sorry for many agents who have no guidance in these areas. Most buyers in this area do not use an attorney so I try to fill in the gaps for them without introducing any risk to them or to me.

What’s the best thing about living in the Main Line area of Pennsylvania?
Where to start? For me, it is the well-built, beautiful homes with such varied architecture, together with the topography of the rolling hills and woods. I live on a beautiful creek with huge trees within walking distance of 2 train stations and an old-fashioned hometown, with great assets. It has an old theatre, a school, library and tons of restaurants and locally-owned shops. I think that is what many people seek when they look for a home.

What do you do when you aren’t selling real estate?
I foster dogs and cats for the local SPCA, swim, garden and play piano.

What’s your favorite productivity tool?
It would have to be my smartphone. How did we live without those?

Learn more about Linda at her website: www.FindAHomeInPA.com.

The National Association of Realtors recently announced the date for the Rally to Protect the American Dream. Realtors will gather in Washington D.C. on May 17 to stand up for housing. As NAR President Moe Veissi said in his call to action: “The very foundation of civilization is no stronger, nor more enduring than the integrity of the homes on which they rest. “

The rally promises to bring together Realtors from every corner of America in a statement of solidarity to show Congress that Realtors want to revitalize real estate and protect the American dream of home ownership. They hope to have 15,000 Realtors in attendance. The rally is scheduled to coincide with the NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo.

Realtors who want to participate are being asked to register at the Realtor Rally website. NAR plans to provide food, water, lunches, t-shirts and buses and will also help individuals and groups connect with transportation via local and state organizations.