By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed.

There's an old proverb that says:  "By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed."  

Buyer and seller agree to a sales price of 96% of the list price of a home priced over $600,000.  Pretty good in this market, eh?  After several days of indecision, the seller asks to stay in their home for 3.5 months after closing date.  Buyer can't make that work, but CAN make 1.5 months work.  Seller decides to walk away from the buyer.   All of this in a neighborhood of homes all priced over $430k, with 24 homes on the market and an absorption rate of 9 months.  Sellers' house has been on the market over 5 months. 

The sellers' agent is a true professional and has tried her best to get her sellers to understand the market and the gravity of their decision.  But, alas, to no avail.

By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed.

My buyer has dispersed.