Damn I hate situations that are just tough.  Check out this e-mail from a client of mine in the mid west.

Dear Rich,

Do you have any suggestions? I have been working with a family that has two handicapped children.  They put in an offer on a FSBO with me. 

The house is vacant.  The seller renovated it and put about 190,000 in... it still needs work. 

The house is listed for 599,000.  We made an offer of 600,000 and closing in March.  He had agreed previously to pay a 2.5% commission.

He claims to have another buyer although it doesn't sound like they have come back with a better offer.  He countered our offer at 611,000 with a closing date of Early February and changed some other minor things. 

We have come back with an offer of 600,000 but now he says his net is too low if he sells at 600,000.  So we have given him until 1 pm tomorrow and I spoke to him today after I had faxed the offer to him two days ago and he said he hadn't looked at it yet! 

I know he is playing games but I really don't want the buyers to lose the house because of my commission.  

BTW, I sold him his current house.  It was negotiation that almost killed me that time. These buyers are ready to walk away if he doesn't agree and he is so full of himself and his negotiating skills that he probably will walk away too, even without another buyer.

This is a very strong client of mine and a very strong Agent who sells over a hundred homes a year.  I am sure she will put it together.  I share it with you so you can see that even the strongest Agents have tough deals every year, deals that test their skills, test their patience, test their tempers, and more.  You certainly understand. 

Please know that you have the admiration and respect of this coach who is humbled by your commitment and your efforts to this career that provides you with more opportunity for success and more freedom than any career on earth. 

 Rich Levin