"...I realize you believe the agents here are "crooked" ..."
Forgot to comment on this;
I don't necessaily think real estate agents are "'crooked,"
but their best interest does not always mesh with the buyer's best interest,
and the nature of the agent/client relationship does not always
make that clear.
And I especially take issue with those real estate professionals who
find fault with my motives. Everyone involved in real estate, from
agents to appraisers to loan officers, etc. made lots of money during
the boom times when many many buyers got in way over their heads.
While I do not absolve the buyers of their responsiblity to look out for
their own interests, most in the real estate business were content to
profit from this situation. Few turned down business or spoke out
loudly against the abuses (although all claim to never have participated
in a bad deal)
For someone in the real estate business who profited from the creation of
the mess, to now criticize me for attempting to profit from the unwinding
of the mess is, in my opinion, hypocritical.
Personally, I have no problem with agents looking our for their own interests,
as long as they have no problem with me looking out for mine.
Live and let live.