Seller's Agent Trying to Assign Us Buyer's Agent

[Jake F.]

We have bought and sold several properties without an agent. We contacted a seller's agent and asked to view a home. He said he was out of town and would send Susan to open the house for us. Susan opened the door for us and we viewed the home. 

We later sent the listing agent an offer. He immediately contacted us and said we needed to list Susan as the buyer's agent. We told him he could have the entire commission and pay Susan if he wanted, but as far we were concerned she was his proxy and representing the seller. He was adamant and we exchanged several messages before I had to insist he submit our offer as is. Now he's saying there are other offers despite it having been on the market for nine months. I definitely feel like our offer is dead in the water due to our refusal to use his buddy as our agent.

I feel like having her as a go-between would be like having the opposing team in our huddle, and honestly she didn't seem to have a clue what she was doing. When I told him I didn't think he would mind making the whole commission he replied, "Of course I mind. We are Realtors sir."

Am I missing something here?

[Jonathan Greene]

The real question is why do you care? You said you don't need an agent, but you understand the process and Susan is an agent. Why are you trying to pay a commission to someone who does not want to work as a dual agent? It's much better to have your own agent just in case something arises since the listing agent's primary fiduciary duty is always to the seller. It seems like you are trying to find a problem, what's the issue? He doesn't want to do dual agency, which is in your best interests. You don't save money either way.