There is a big difference between being the Buyer of a property and being the Seller of a property.  One situation can be a lot of fun, the other not so much.  The big difference is who is in control of the transaction.  Every good Real Estate course will tell you that the only deal you have control over is the BUY.  For the most part, that is true. 

I personally like being a Buyer way better than being a Seller.  It is more fun. ( I have personally bought over 15 properties) As a Buyer you get to travel around and go look at any house you want to see.  You are under NO pressure, and can enjoy seeing the way other people have styled the house.  You can laugh at the colors the sellers have chosen, and comment on the cleanliness of the house, all with no consequence. If you didn’t like the house you just move onto the next one. When you finally find the one that you like, YOU even get to pick your offering price.  There might be a little pressure at this point. 

Being a Seller on the other hand, is extremely stressful.  (I have personally sold over 15 properties.) It starts with picking a listing price.  Too high and it will be hard to sell; too low, and you loose out on some money. Then you have to make the house and property look as good as possible.  (this can be inexpensive or more costly.) You have to find a place to go every time there is a showing (what about the dog and cat), and you have no idea what the people looking at the house actually thought. Not a lot of fun.

Then finally an offer comes in.  The number one thing The Seller want to know is HOW MUCH MONEY!  Now the stress really starts.  The offer is not as much as you hoped for, but you do want/have to sell.   I find that it helps clients to understand they only have to make one of 3 choices. 1) You can reject the offer outright. 2) You can sign it back at a higher price. 3) You can accept  the offer.  Signing back the offer (most common choice) starts the waiting game again. The revised offer comes back and one of the 3 choices has to made again.  If it is an acceptable offer.  Relief sets in.  Now there is just waiting for conditions to be fulfilled.

Depending on how badly the Buyer wants the property, there is now some stress.  The Buyer has to wait to hear back about the offer.  Once the condition of the offer is known, the Buyer has the same 3 choices as the Seller. Reject, Sign Back, Accept. I think there is less stress for the Buyer even at this point, because they can just walk away and try for the next one.  For the Seller and their agent, a Buyer walking away, is a devastating blow. For these reasons I think there is less stress being a Buyer rather than a Seller.

As an agent, I find it easier to work with Buyers.  If this deal didn’t work out, then on to the next one. You did your best for the client, you’ll do better on the next one. Working with Sellers is as emotional for me as it is for them.  A Buyer walking away means you FAILED at your job!!  There is much more emotional work involved supporting a Seller.  At least if you take being an agent seriously.