I wouldn't see it as a red flag. Essentially I'd read it like:

-you have a great house in a great area, and I know already somebody who might be incredibly interested

You're not obliged to do anything with this information. You can still advertise to the max, and the buyer who, as she knows, is very interested, will have his chance just as every other buyer who's interested in your property, will. She can't talk you into getting in a deal with specific person X, unless you feel yourself, for whatever reason, you'd rather deal with person X (better, in comparison to other, offer, more flexible to you offer, some perceived or existing connection, you name it)

I don't see how her stating the fact she knows some buyer (you yourself know potential buyers already, before even listing..makes sense that she as a realtor knows someone too)) is undercutting anything at this point.

But it's important to have good trusting relationship with any professional who you work with closely, realtor is such professional, so I'd be sensitive to the overall vibe I get, and if I'm not comfortable enough-that's a valid reason to look for somebody else.

PS We're in So Cal too and had a great realtor to represent us when we sold. Her stager, I didn't like as much(and didn't ask for staging too lol)..the photographs, I didn't like as much..but she herself was such an impeccable business woman, honesty and devotion and knowledge and work ethics admirable to the highest degree, that I put up with the staging thing that highly irritated me, and with all the rest. She was simply too great as a realtor.

He might be correct. I think many very experienced agents could say this in a hot market. Interview at least 3 agents and get competitive market analyses from each. You can tell the agent that you do not want your agent acting as a dual agency, too. If that agent's price came in lower that the rest, then yes, avoid him.

Isn't if funny when sales people make statements that are intended to make themselves, or the product, seem the best choice, and it has the opposite effect? The thing with real estate agents is, they may, or may not, actually have a buyer in mind when they say it. Although, here in SoCal right now, yes, many probably do. Sounds as though you will have no problems finding a buyer, so I'll just wish everything goes smoothly for you.

The statement didn't strike me that way at all.

From what you say, you live in a hot market. The realtor may have been working with a buyer for the past several months who is looking for (in the realtor's opinion) exactly what you are going to be selling. For all you know, the realtor may be telling the truth. :)

In a super hot market, I would advise to exposing it to the entire pool of buyers and not only one. Your chances of netting more will increase.

Choose an agent that you feel is trustworthy, one that you can communicate with well and one that you believe has the same values and morals as your self. If you do this, all else will work out.

We bought our home because our agent had been working with us for almost two years and knew what we wanted. A fellow agent got a listing hearing about it she immediately called us. We made the offer and the seller was able to review. We sold out last home after interviewing three listing agents we did hire the one who mentioned a buyer and they bought it. This happens all the time especially with agents that know the area. Do educate yourself as to the likely selling price. If something about this agent feels wrong though find another. As a side note our homes have always sold with in a few days pricing correctly in the right situation has allowed us to also successfully negotiate a lower commission.

Even if you were to hire the agent that did not have the buyer, as the other agent does, it will not matter because as soon as it hits the MLS, that buyer will see the home anyway. Let that agent bring you the buyer then. This way, you don't have to worry about the dual Agency dilemma.

For me, a fast sale at close to asking price was more important than squeezing every possible dime out of the sale - so if I knew the agent did indeed have a qualified buyer, I'd be thrilled.

I'm also in SoCal, I've sold several beach houses in LA County and don't see the red flag. I'm not opposed to dual agency, but understand others are. Many agents will tell you they have a buyer to get the listing, sometimes its true, but who knows. It appears you aren't interested in doing this type of sale, you want it on the open market first. If you were interested, you can do a one time listing with that agent, but still shop for a listing agent.

If you don't know many local agents, you can look on Redfin or zillow for solds to see who have been listing agents in your area. I usually zero in on an area researching good agents, I'm now moving to Orange County and searching online while going to open houses to find good agents while locating the right area to live in.

It's been a couple of weeks...who did you choose as your realtor? Is the house sold?

cmarlin, just mark posts like that as spam.

References, references, references, preferably from someone you trust. Pretty much the standard when shopping for any personal service like this.

I second homechef59's comment. I might even look for a cash buyer to speed up the process.

It's important you note some very important things before selecting a realtor