Rational; I live in a region of Colorado known as "the front range" (it's a mountains thing), and I buy houses.

They typically do not focus on their check being $150 this way or that because it is far more rational to do a killer job for you and get future business in the form of referrals and working with you in the future.

I feel you bro, at least you learned from the situation. and now just figure out how you cut out the middle man to make the extra cash for your self.

I don't think it's all that weird, lots of middleman business do it, and in face I prefer it to the VRBO, FK system, because price wise for me, it's more practical, rather than paying for a service you might not actually use.

From a landlord or developers perspective, would it be more beneficial to directly contact local developers to find a location and cut out the middle man? 

:) Golden Rule #2:  Never, under any circumstances, for any reason or rationalization, ever...forget Golden Rule #1.

C'mon man, you are rationalizing.

A wholesaler is a middle man that buys in bulk and sells in smaller quantity.

Of course, it's different but at the core you are the "middle man" between the current and future homeowner. 

I just moved from the Bay Area to Sacramento in order to cut my living expenses in half - so I like to think I haven't completely been inactive (maybe I'm rationalizing this!)