Robert Bruss | Real estate writer, 67

Robert Bruss, 67, a nationally syndicated real estate columnist, author and investment adviser, has died at his Silicon Valley home.

Mr. Bruss, who had intestinal surgery earlier this year, died of cancer, said Brad Inman, founder and publisher of Inman News.

For 23 years, Mr. Bruss - known by peers as the "Dear Abby of Real Estate" - wrote seven columns a week for Inman, an independent news service focusing on real estate. After a brief hiatus this year, he resumed his busy schedule until his death Wednesday in Burlingame, Calif.

Mr. Bruss' articles, including the popular "Real Estate Mailbag" question-and-answer column, were syndicated in hundreds of newspapers nationwide, including The Inquirer, and on numerous Web sites. - AP