Do you see "back off" in those eyes? Because I was standing just over the fence and I can assure you that is exactly what the new mama was thinking when I was snapping away. I was trying to get some good photos since we're the "dairy capitol" of Georgia and have an annual festival, but Mommy cow wanted no part of me getting to close to her baby.
Today when I wanted to choke out a listing agent who "got to close" to my buyers I knew just how this MAMA cow must have felt. So you have a seller that wants you to be there for all showings, okay, I can understand that, she's a little old lady and she's not able to leave home and she is leery of letting "strangers" in her home, but I really thought in our phone conversation you were going to be a professional and stay out of my way. And question my buyers about their opinion of the home... I stepped right in between said agent and my buyers and then began to explain agency to my buyers. Don't tell the agent who represents the "other side" anything. Let's save that chatter for later when we are out of his ear shot.
And these buyers were "older" and "wiser" than some and you'd think they would know better, but they truly had no idea how agency works or that everything they were saying to the listing agent could and likely would be used against them. I have always counseled younger buyers against this behavior, but I suppose I now must have that conversation with all my buyers, just in case. 
And my new agent started today. Jumped right in with both feet getting to see how it's done when I was writing an offer on one of "those" foreclosure listings. And broke him in good. It was one of those comical situations where if it could go bad it did. Wham... we were in multiples, wham.... my printer jammed (over and over and over) until I had to print in another room, then the copier jammed (managed to clear that one in a jiffy), and meanwhile was also sending over an amendment to another buyer for signatures. I was scared my new agent might just bolt it was so crazy in my office today. But when he left after 5 he said he'd be back in the morning. I'll try to shield him from the really bad stuff until his hooves aren't clean anymore. I love training a new agent who doesn't have any bad agent habits. If he learns it "my" way we won't have any problems. But just like I was protecting my clients this morning I also protect my agents.
When I work with folks, clients or agents they are "family" and we'll I'm the mama cow. So be nice or step back away from the fence.
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