[quote=CricketOnTheHearth]I explored renting from a woman who turned out to be a Realtor; she said she would “have to consult with her clients” regarding my offers before accepting them, implying she was renting the place on behalf of the owners.

Turns out, looking the joint up in SD County Tax/Treas website, she is the owner.

Hmmm.

I did not rent the place.[/quote]

She used the old “resort to higher authority” negotiating tactic on you. Similar uses are “I have to check with my wife/husband”, or “I have to run it by the ‘board of directors'”. Here’s some info on it:
http://www.rdawson.com/articles/higher-authority.html