Be a Buddha, not a Bull
"They're a bull in a china shop, and that's me trying to put it nicely"
That's how a 3rd party in a transaction described the buyer's agent on a recent purchase transaction. In this specific deal, there were numerous delays, all caused by a buyer. First he was busy. Then he was on vacation. Then he was busy again. Then he was going away for a long weekend. Then 
30 days passed on a 45 day escrow period and we still hadn't gotten enough documentation to even do a complete pre-approval, let alone get things through underwriting. (Note: Buyer & Buyer's agent demanded a basic prequal letter, not a full preapproval, but that's a different blog for a different day)
The whole process was a mess, and when the opportunity was there to be a Buddha (calm, in control, results focused), the agent instead chose to be a Bull (pointing fingers, obnoxious, pompous, panicked, me-me-me focused).
For what? One transaction? To compensate for a buyer that knew they were at fault for the delays?
I'll bend over backwards to get a horse to water, but once we're there, if they don't start drinking, I wash my hands. Falling on the proverbial sword to compensate for other's mistakes, and expecting everyone else involved in the process to do the same is not only unrealistic, it's unprofessional.
Yes the process of getting a buyer to close (especially in a tough seller's market) is stressful
Yes it's made inifinitely more stressful when other transactions rest on the success of yours
YES the title company, attorney, lender, and others involved all know time is of the essence, and we're all doing the best we can to get things done & done on time.
When stress comes along (if you're in the real estate industry, you know it will!), be a Buddha. Keep calm, keep it together, take a deep breath, and figure out the best way to solve problems and get results. Being a bull, pointing fingers, harrassing title, and flipping out isn't helping anyone - not the others working with you toward the same goal. Not your client. Certainly not yourself.
"You will not be punished for your anger. You will be punished by your anger" -Buddha
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