Remember it's not personal and keep the overall needs of the client in mind.  It's a temporary thing and they only have as much power over my mental state as I allow them to have.  And maybe it helps to be an engineer :)  Bill

Don't let them bully you or get you sidetracked, stay on message relentlessly.

I nip that in the bud right up front.... I don't deal with that type of agent.... if I feel it's going sideways after the transaction begins, I'll deal directly with the buyer....

The same way I deal with difficult people in any profession:  I consider the source and do not ever lower myself to their standards. 

Actually I switch from verbal to email communication only. That way I don't have to hear the venom & off the topic comments they seem to make.

Do your job as best you can, communicate often and in a timely manner and be as nice as possible no matter what

Kill them with kindness! 

I pass them on to my team leader - I don't deal with them very well

I'm armed and no how ot use it

Don't lose your temper.

What is your definition of difficult?  I like Debe Maxwell 's comment.  It takes all types and you need to be prepared to deal with them accordingly.  Keeping control of the negotition, not letting it get out of control is something I strive to do.  

Treat it as a class in tolerance. Also, ponder what caused them to become that

We won 't let another Realtor intimidate us, and we let them know it!

Keep cool and remember your Ethics!

Harry F. D'Elia - it's all in the best interest of MY client! 

Deal with this agent professionally - and that should be it!

I give it a couple of trys and then I go to the Broker.  The agent is told this after the 1 st issue

Patience.

Get thru it and remember them for next time.

I send Guido.  

Focus on the end result and hope it comes sooner than later.   

Counting to 10 more than once when your real desire is to give them an attitude adjustment with your right and left hand!

"Walk Softly but carry a Big Stick"

What ever needs to be done, I do.  If the other agent hasn't ordered title, I send it in. I keep in touch with Lenders and my Client.

I play my game they better bring their best.

Patience. This too will pass in time. Do what you have to do to get it to close.

Nasty agents can be really great blog fodder. 

Stay focused on what's best for your clients.  Getting the deal done may require that you tolerate verbal abuse and/or obstructive behavior from the other agent, but just suck it up and see it through.

Try to stay calm and professional.  If the agent is too difficult, contact their Broker for answers.  It is best to try to be nice instead of getting into an argument.

Find their weakness...the one that makes them break down, and get nice. 

There's one agent I ask about the family pets. That agent turns all sweetness and nice. I even ask to have pet photos sent to me. 

I just pass them on to my husband. It works better that way.

Harry F. D'Elia A call to their broker.

ASk the managing Broker to talk to the other agent's managing Broker. This usually facilitates a more positive response.

Stay focused on the task at hand and keep my eyes on end goal. 

Stay focused on the task and keep your cool.  If necessary, put everything in writing and don't deal with them on the phone.  You will have a paper trail of your communication and that may keep them more on a professional level. 

Poison them with an upbeat attitude and kindness. 

You know what, I've had a couple of those and I simply asked them a question that made them feel important, like I was desiring their expertise in something. Even though I may not have needed their help or their opinion, when you treat them like they aren't scary beasts, they lighten up and "out of the blue" become helpful!  Reverse psychology......Yeah, I studied psych in college. 

Do everything properly on your end without giving in to emotional taunts.

All communication in writing.  If it ain't in writing, it never happened. 

Get their broker involved and request another agent be assigned.  Been there, done that.  Seller almost didn't pay him his commission (out here seller can refuse to pay either side at any point during the escrow process).

Stay cool, calm and collected. Document everything. Don't engage in histrionics.

A cool head and patience.

Debe Maxwell took the words out of my head (long distance)!  Deluging someone with kindness shows them you are not the enemy.  A

Debe Maxwell gave you the best answer.

I find the most difficult agents are ones that don't have many transactions under their belt. They don't know enough about what it takes for everyone involved to get the deal closed. They don't know what some terms mean or why certain things might be required.

If they have no respect for me; I ignore them and get my job done with the rest of the folks involved.