The bottom line: it is highly, highly unusual to have two or more applicants with equal applications at the same time.

It's not unusual to be shown a couple of the best units to be blow away later by the rest of the units.  

I was at a new build recently with the furnaces installed horizontally up against the floor joists.I thought it was unusual but now after my 3 fces because of 4ft of water & Jon's experience it's a very proactive design concept.

Because of the SAFE Act we had to change our licensure from one license to another because of unusual licensing laws in that state.

As an example, I was asked to provide an appraisal on a property used by a large propane gas company, an unusual property with significant unique improvements (tanks and the craddles they sit in), there are no comparable sales.If I knew a REIT was basing valuations on the 50% rule, I'd avoid that REIT, the larger sample is not valid in my mind, taking a census which includes housing costs rather than more reliable homogenious units to a comparable portfolio, but that's me.

The approval process may take over a month and, unfortunately, it is not unusual for loans to be denied or major issues discovered (title problems, etc.) several weeks into the process.

If the project is 100k, I would at least mark it up around 20-25k.Kickbacks are not really unusual, think of it as a motivation for them connecting you to the right contractors.

This is  not an unusual request.

Is it unusual for buyer's agents to charge like this? 

Very unusual.