Trying to protect self and others while being fair to the agent

[Michael V Akbar]

I am a rookie looking at some out of state investing and a particular real estate agent (commercial) has been very forthcoming and supportive with information and his time and I definitely would want to be very fair to them.

He has recently sent me an exclusive agency agreement which I am hesitant to sign because I am already introduced to many other channels in the state and am also planning to do my direct mail campaign. I wouldn't even mind giving this agent a consulting fee for his expert opinion on properties presented by others.

In your experience is there a nice way to modify this agreement so that this agent is protected for properties he puts forward and yet not pissed by the commission I would need to give to others if they bring forth a property. The agreement stipulates that the agent will first attempt to collect their portion of the commission from the seller or their representative.

P.S. Is there a counter language that I can offer in my revised agreement back to them?