Was on MLS but now off market

[Ed Otero]

Several months ago my wife and I asked our agent to coordinate a private showing of a house we found on the MLS because the owner did not have any open houses. We made an offer and were outbid. The winning bidder fell out of escrow after asking for a lot credits for repairs. Subsequently the seller took the house off the market. It hasn't been for sale for months. Can we approach the seller directly and make an offer? Should we involve our agent if the seller doesn't have an agent? Since the commissions are paid by the seller, then how would our (buyer's) agent be compensated?