My observation where I live is that there are somewhat exclusive networks and not everybody is in the same one -- they might be clustered around catering to a clientele speaking a particular foreign language, for instance, and be somewhat apart from more "mainstream" agents. Anyway, I personally watched the selling agent try and convince me and my agent that the water damage in a property I was looking at was hardly damage at all and anyway, it doesn't rain in California, so don't worry about it. Sure, that's just an anecdote. So is your story, though.

I don't doubt that two agents who had frequently worked with each other amicably might be more frank, but I do doubt that agents all, or even mostly, presumptively do this with every counterparty they meet.