According to Dennis Byron of Byron and Associates and the chairman of the Los Gatos­Saratoga District of Silicon Valley Association of Realtors, owning a home is an important concept.

"It is likely the biggest investment of your life, the cornerstone of your financial portfolio. What other investment can one make that will conceivably double in value in a very few years and also give you a shelter from the rain? Since the dawn of time, homeownership has made families feel secure. No one can take away their castle," Byron said.

Realtors are often viewed as just going after their commission, but Realtors counter that the commission is not the main focus. There is real satisfaction in helping someone find a home that they love.

"The commission is, of course, a 'biggie,' but the satisfaction is derived in putting yourself in the shoes of the new homeowner and in knowing the transaction went as smoothly as it could because the buyer hired a professional. To have a client become a friend is one of the biggest rewards you can have in real estate," Byron said.

Byron remembers a young couple who wanted to buy their first home before they had babies. "They wanted a place they could be proud of, in a good school district, close enough to work, in a good neighborhood. Even after several years and two sons later, they still refer to me as 'our Realtor' when they introduce me to their friends," he said.

Realtors also understand the process of making a house into a home and helping people find the right house for them.

"It's your personal touch that makes a house a home—your furnishings, decor and even your junk. It's our friends and family creating the ambience, your communication with your neighbors, your pride in knowing 'it's mine,' your comfort level of having your own space to deal with in your own way. It's the experiences you have in the home, the good and the not so good," Byron said.

Realtors participate by finding and showing you the perfect house. "They help you get a picture of what the house will be like with you in it. They offer their assistance in helping you integrate into the community. They ease you into the ownership and take care of the details the professional Realtor knows how to do, including the mountains of paperwork involved in the purchase process," Byron said.

Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors at www.silvar.org. Send questions on any topic to jnewton@jnpr.com.