gtf,
I reckon you are pushing the proverbial up hill with a stick of wet spaghetti if you are hoping that there is some invisible code of ethics that will prevent silent and non-contributing forum readers from taking a deal off you if it ain't cemented and the ink is dry.
Who knows, the agent you are argy-bargying with may be an active forum member right here - there are a few.
Of course, when we go out into the real world, there are many more people and properties than this little exclusive club that is the SS forum. If you happen to mention Somersoft internet property forum to a member of the general public, they usually look at you as if you have two heads.
Even at a property seminar with say 150 or 200 people, you might get a small contingent of 8 or 10 people. The other 190 have never heard of it and wouldn't know what you were going on about.
I've found the best way to exclude other buyers is to look at properties that other buyers either ;
a) Would be physically sick to even step foot on....they are usually great.
b) Cannot afford. This one is difficult, there's always someone financially bigger than yourself.
c) Too scared to even look at.
d) Wouldn't know what they are even looking at.
e) Don't know are for sale.....these are good also.
Once the deal is done, we'd love for you to post up the details. It's amazing what you can pick up from actual deals....no matter what it is.
Good luck.