re: Buyer paying the Buyer Agent a fee

To be honest with you, in 30+ years of buying and selling real estate, I've never seen such a thing. It screams conflict of interest to me. In my experience, a buyer's agent is typically paid by the buyer and works for and represents the buyer's interests. Many buyers (inaccurately) refer to the agent that shows them a house as "their" agent. But if that agent is being paid a subagent fee by way of the seller's agent, they're actually also the seller's agent - the buyer (in this case) doesn't really have an agent. Their only obligation is to treat the buyer fairly and ethically.

In the scenario in the OP, I'd ask this woman who she'd be representing if the deal hit a snag and she had to pick a side? I mean, how often do you hear of one attorney representing both the husband and the wife in a divorce? If it's contested, I can't see that ever happening.

Lastly, is she just a state licensed real estate agent or is she an actual Realtor? Meaning, is she a member of the National Association of Realtors? Personally, I'd look into that. I wouldn't do business with her or her agency in any case. But if she's been sketchy along the way, I'd probably also drop a dime on her as I walked away.