The deal was rescued only after the real estate agents involved shelled out their own cash to purchase the clothesline assembly for the home buyers. Sometimes a seller who is smug and unyielding risks losing his entire deal. Of course, there are times when sellers have so much leverage they can act unreasonably and still get away with it. But as uncertainty ripples through the economy, communities where sellers reign supreme are more scarce. There's more balance between buyers and sellers in most areas now.
Sellers have to be more respectful.
Sellers are nearly always better off if they're reasonable with would-be buyers. But that's especially true now for sellers of luxury homes because many affluent individuals who can afford a pricey home have been hurt by the slumping stock market. Given the slightest provocation, they might walk away from a deal. Indeed, buyer anxiety is becoming more pervasive in all price ranges. Even in areas where prices are still firm and available properties remain scarce, home shoppers are increasingly worried about the future.