Newbie: To use a realtor or not

[Eseta Matasau]

My husband and I are looking to invest in real estate, but one of my biggest concerns is the legal process/ paperwork. For the experienced real estate investors out there, how do you go about doing the paperwork (Purchase and Sale Agreement; Escrow; Title insurance, etc)? As a newbie there is soo much paperwork in the process that I feel like it would be easier to buy a house through a realtor, than to do it myself and accidentally forget something or forget a clause in the contract, let alone figure out which clauses to include.

So for you new/experienced investors, would it be better to buy through an agent so I don't forget any paperwork amidst the process, considering I am a new investor? Or should I handle the paperwork myself, as an investor? And if so, what exactly are all the things needed before a close? (signed & locked purchase/sale agreement, earnest money in escrow holding, title insurance w/ no encumbrance, ... )