As a buyer, is it wrong to contact the listing agent/seller?

[Brandi Harris]

I have a condo under contract with a flipper, who is also the listing agent. My financing has fallen through with the mortgage company I originally contacted. I would like to ask the listing agent/seller if they would be able to do a rent-to-own option until I can secure financing (I was told I need to be at new job for a few more months until I can get approved). Or if he just has any other financing ideas that can help push this deal through. Note: my agent is brand new and not very creative. After this deal, I will be looking to work with a different agent. I don't really want her insight on this, I just want this done. Lesson learned on this one.

[Russell Brazil]

If the seller is a flipper, it is highly unlikely they are going to be open to doing a rent to own situation. In the tiniest chance that they are, they are going to want to make a profit...so if they are borrowing at say 15% to do the flip, then they are going to want to charge you say 20% or more so they can make money from the spread. Im guessing that there is not much of a chance you could afford a mortgage on the place with a 20% interest rate.

But back to the original question...you should be using your agent to communicate because they know how to do so in the legal manner prescribed. Lets say you as a novice make some offer to this seller verbally, and they say sure. Now the clock on your contingencies expire and they say, Im going to keep your deposit, or sue you to perform the contract. Go through your agent and save yourself the stress of getting yourself into a situation you wont know how to handle.