Help! Motivated seller doesn't want to be under contract.

[Shavaun Swygert]

Hi! I am new to wholesaling and I made my first call today. Motivated seller has a fantastic price on a complete rehab and is well versed in wholesaling. He flat out asked if I was a wholesaler or a buyer and I said a wholesaler. The problem is that he does not want to work with wholesalers and said he would rather deal direct with the buyer. He said he doesn't want to be under contact because he doesn't want exclusivity. What's my next move? He said if I can link him directly with a buyer he could "pay me on the side." Do I still try to find a buyer (I don't really have a list yet) and link them? Is there anything else I can say to persuade him?  He has 2 properties and it definitely is a good deal for any investor. Should I do a hard money lend and purchase myself and then flip?