I have my own lender but the seller’s agent is withholding a counter on my offer until I secure one of their local/preferred lenders.

What’s the story here? How is this remotely an ok business practice? Someone please help me understand because it’s really pissing me off.

My current mortgage guy has work hard for me for the past 11-12 months and now that I have an offer in the works I have to drop him?

It feels wrong.