If you never work with a Realtor, what would something an agent could offer that would entice you to hire them? 

Also would love to hear your thoughts on how else we can make the offer more enticing besides throwing more money at it.

Sometimes they are lower to entice more offers and sometimes they are just too high.

After saying this, he said, "Man, I could pay 6 months in advance if you'd like." what should I take from this, I mean, it sounds enticing, but I feel like there's something suspicious when he would say something like this...

The buyers agent commission is already agreed upon with the seller prior to listing so it won't cost anything additional for you to use a buyers agent Unless you can entice the seller into deducting the cost of a buyer's agent from the house price....i.e a $500k house would pay a buyer's agent $12,500 @ 2.5%.

I am not interested in vacation rentals, the money does not entice me.

Its not very enticing to buy something that you didnt get input on design and layout to have to sit through 12-24 months of city review.  

I have minor experience being a STR host and think the potential cash flow of a large beautiful house is extremely enticing and I can do it remotely.I’ll also be moving to the central New Jersey area with my fiancé and wanting to buy a house there using VA.

Is there anything in life more enticing than that?

;)Buying C/D class properties can be enticing.