re: Backing out of Purchase Agreement

Just from your description of the situation, in your position, the most generous option I could offer would be loss of the deposit. In a situation I was in last year, I was prepared to go for the deposit and a lawsuit for performance or damages. It has nothing to do with being a nice guy or being a dick. A contract is a contract. Business is business. If people want to "play" house buyer, that game costs money to play.

And this agent, was he an actual buyer's broker (being paid by the purchaser) or was he entitled to a sub agent's fee from the sale (being paid by you/your agent)?