Property purchase & broker behavior: Is this normal?

You can sometimes wait 8 months or longer for a certificate of inheritance. Only then are the heirs entered in the land register and can dispose of the property.
Possibly the municipality/city has a pre-emptive right.
Or because of Corona, it takes even longer.

Are you sure that everything was above board with the advertisement back then? I don’t believe a word from real estate agents.

I have nothing against someone who does their job properly and gets paid for it. But this sounds like he doesn’t even have a contract yet.

In my hometown, developers sometimes offer houses even though no building plots are allocated to developers, construction companies, or agents. Only to families according to a points system.
But there are existing houses. The agent promises the seller a lot of money, shows the plot or property only to his "regular customers = developers." He does not pass on higher offers or sets a defensive price. If the heirs are unsuspecting, possibly living far away, his plan works (Who sells cheaply to a construction company when there are so many building families willing to pay a good price?)
And suddenly the agent has arranged a developer’s house for a registered customer on an existing plot to a buyer. And the buyer still has to pay commission.

so - here I am again :D

With a new - "Is this normal"- and what are the risks/ideas that come to your mind.

We viewed a plot of land on Saturday, which we immediately liked. We then expressed our explicit interest in buying and also assured that we could finance it (which we can).
The demand was apparently extremely high (I can well imagine given the location), but it was said that it would be reserved for us. We were supposed to get feedback today and further documents.
Then I called today, and I was told that the seller might have already found someone else (so far so normal...), and I was asked to be patient.
Twenty minutes later, I received an email "You can buy, there are still very many interested buyers who would immediately go to the notary." - I should fill out a checklist by tonight (this serves as consent to prepare the purchase contract) and send it back.

Uh... basically no problem. But I have neither a cadastral map, nor an excerpt from the land register nor anything else.
In the end, I only know three things: where the plot is, the size from the exposé, and the price.

I am convinced that the plot will be gone immediately if we don’t buy it (so I don’t think it’s a trick – the connection is ideal. U- & regional trains practically around the corner, bakery, supermarket & co as well, travel time to Hamburg depending on the transport 17-34 minutes).
What surprises me is this back and forth and the rushed "Fill it out now, otherwise someone else will get it." According to the realtor, the seller is very difficult and wants it that way. But I’m a bit surprised they haven’t been able to calm him down.
I mean, I’m supposed to have a purchase contract drawn up for something I barely "know."

What are your ideas about this?
What makes me suspicious is that it has to happen so fast....

Nice to hear from you and that you didn't throw in the towel.
Yes, this is strange behavior, but as I wrote a few months ago: The market is currently such that every broker, seller, or craftsman can act like a little Kim Jong-Un.
And actually it doesn't matter. You can still say at the notary appointment: "oh no, this is not how I imagined it."
Because of possible reservation fees, still read the fine print of everything you have to sign.

Uh...actually no problem. But I have neither a cadastral map, nor an excerpt from the land register, nor anything else.

- If I remember correctly, the notary checks whether the seller is the owner of the property and is allowed to sell it, or whether it has already been sold to someone else.
- As long as your signature is not yet on the notary’s contract, you can still change your mind anytime; the seller, by the way, can as well.
- Regarding the cadastral map, you can contact the land registry office.

Thanks to you both :) I was already starting to panic with all the "quick-quick-quick". I requested a land register excerpt, a list of contaminants, and a cadastral map from the agent, he said that should not be a problem. Should I have anything else? I inquired at the building authority regarding the development, since there does not seem to be a development plan, I assume §34 applies. There is a semi-detached house on the property. That is the only thing that still causes me some concern, as I do not know to what extent one can "just like that" demolish a semi-detached house. But I am still in the process of reading up on it.

According to the realtor, it is the seller who is very difficult and wants it that way. But I am a bit surprised that they can't calm him down. I mean, I am supposed to have a purchase contract drawn up here for something I hardly "know".

As far as I know, the notary fees only apply if a notarization takes place. The realtor will be sufficiently protected against circumvention to be able to tell you who the seller is. At the notary, the seller has to reveal his identity anyway. If he now wants to remain incognito just before the swearing-in, that would be reason enough for me to call off the chase.