This real estate agency concentrates on selling properties in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek's gated retirement community. In addition to having the reputation for almost never cutting its commission rates, it uses the ethically questionable practice of exclusives. That means it does NOT put most of its listings on the multiple listing service (MLS), the public datatbase of homes for sale. Many Rossmoor residents feel this is a disservice to both buyers and sellers, since it means that only agents working for this broker can show such homes. Often, other brokers won't even inform thier buyer clients of homes for sale by Rossmoor Realty because they can't earn a commission. Brokers who use exclusive listings limit the pool of potential buyers. The use of exclusives helps brokers who engage in the practice to develop a quasi-monopoly stranglehold on the local market. Consumer advocates have long tried to have the practice of exclusives outlawed in the California legislature. However, real estate industry lobbyists have defeated this reform. Buyers wishing to look at Rossmoor homes can find other realtors specializing in the Rossmoor market by looking at Rossmoor's newspaper online at http://www.rossmoornews.com/ (click on Classifieds) or by going to Rossmoor's general web site at http://rossmoor.com/ (click on Real Estate Sales Contact Info). The next largest broker is Prudential California Real Estate (http://www.prurealty.com/rossmoor/default.aspx). Also good is the smaller Executive Brokers at 1160 Alpine Rd (925-938-7090). But my advice is to avoid Rossmoor Realty, and above all, avoid its associate Evelyn Ralston. More information on Rossmoor in general and its real estate sales practices in particular is available at Rossmoor's resident chat board (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yourrossmoor/ ). Click on Messages. In the search window, enter the search word