We were three days from closing. Three days. The buyers had already scheduled movers, the sellers had packed half their house, and everyone was excited. Then the buyers decided to make one last "quick visit" to measure for curtains. They brought the mother-in-law. Within forty-five minutes, she'd convinced them the foundation was crumbling (it wasn't), the neighborhood was "going downhill" (it's one of the best school districts in the county), and that they could definitely find something better for less money (they absolutely cannot in this market). The buyers walked. No contingency issue, no inspection problem, no financing hiccup. Just a retired woman with opinions and a tape measure she never actually used. The sellers were devastated. I had to make the call while sitting in my car eating gas station nachos because I couldn't face going home yet. The listing agent and I now share a trauma bond. The mother-in-law, by the way, lives three states away and "just happened" to be visiting that week. I've started asking buyers about upcoming family visits before we get too deep into any deal.