How to check agent morality?

[Matt D.]

Dear BP friends,

I knew an RE agent at a starbuck and asked her for finding a RE investment property for me. She has been showing me 2 houses.

Today we looked at an house which wasn't sold recently for some reason. She proposed to talk to the owner by herself and after that I got a call from her that the owner could have not sold the house because she wanted more and the owner did not want to pay the seller and buyer agents for commission. The owner would agree to sell to us by a number which is reasonable to me and If I buy the house I have to compensate the agent separately. But that fact of not paying both seller and buyer agents is something I have heard about the first time. I am also suspicious because the house is in the hot area (silicon valley bay area).

How do I check that fact without screwing up my relationship with the agents?

Also how do I check the rental finance numbers which the owner told us in the right way.

Thank you in advance BP friends.