[ethbro]

We're talking gradations of responsibility, now.

In the same way a lawyer works for you, a buyer's agent works for the buyer.

Emphasis on works for. My understanding is they are under obligations to (a) attempt to realize your stated goals & (b) ensure everything is done properly on the paperwork side.

If you say "I want to pay $750,000 for a house that appraises for $450,000", I don't think they have an obligation to say "You should probably pay less / not buy that property."

As you've rightly noted, there is a conflict of interest (mostly with speed of deal, rather than price). But ultimately it's the buyer's responsibility to set the terms of the deal.