Even if it's true, it really stood out to me as a slap in the face.

Sorry but that's true.

Sounds almost too good to be true to me.  

No one talks about that much on BP though it is true.

I know a guy in my area whose HOA insisted that the frames had to be a certain color.

Is this 100% true and is there anyway around this? 

If the lead bails and doesn't go to closing, that's a risk the agent is expected to take (and will color their eagerness to buy anymore leads from you, so for repeat business you will want to make sure it's likely the lead will go to closing).From agent-to-agent it's a referral and the referring agent usually gets an easy 25% of commission for making a phone call. 

Is this true?

I realize this isn't really a true house hacking situation but to make a long story shorter, my Wife works for a Medical Spa and the owner is now acquiring his first Duplex.

New mailbox and address  lettering  1000%light staging, light furniture, bright colors ( while or off white).These items are the biggest bang for the money and effort!