"Gulp!" Sometimes, things are just beyond our control. 
As a Realtor, I put on my cape several times a week to save the day, but when it comes to certain things, I am a mere mortal. And sometimes there are things that cannot be controlled:
- I cannot help the fact that the lender who wrote the "pre-approval" letter lied.
- I cannot help the fact that the buyer lost their job.
- I cannot help that the seller's hot water heater went out 3 days before closing.
These are fairly obvious, I guess. But there are other things that are beyond our control as Realtors. So, when I got the email 45 minutes before closing that the buyers couldn't close and would need to delay another day, I wasn't angry. A little disappointed, sure, but not angry.
Luckily for me, my sellers have already moved out and aren't counting on the sale of this home to move on to their next chapter in life.
When I called the buyer's agent back, it went to voicemail. Having been on the other side of this situation, I wasn't surprised to have the call go to voicemail. So I left this message: "Hi, Bob, it's Jennifer Prestwich calling. I just got your email. >GULP!< (pause) No worries about not closing today, I'm just sorry that your buyer won't have this weekend to move in. Let me know if we can schedule it for Monday, or if Tuesday is better."
"Bob" called me back in about 3 minutes, with laughter and relief in his voice. "'Gulp!' Haha, that is so funny!" said he. "Thank you so much for understanding. You wouldn't believe how many people have been yelling at me today, as if I am in control of the lender!"
While Realtors are generally independent contractors, we do need each other. There are nearly always two sides to a transaction, and more often than not, that means that there is another Realtor in the mix.
None of us are perfect. And we cannot control every single aspect of the sale. Injecting a little levity and understanding into our communications with each other will mean everyone is happier in the end.
Believe me, happier Realtors will end up making happier clients!
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