Am I nuts? (Driving for dollars with VA loan)

[Kevin M.]

Hello BP,

I don't post often because I feel almost every question on here has been answered in some form or another somewhere else. I scanned on this one and couldn't find anything.

OK, first time home buyer (noob for short) 

My question is; Am I nuts if I 'Drive for Dollars' and want to make a purchase with the VA loan?

I am looking for a duplex as it seems that is all I can afford and possibly be in VA condition to get the loan. My philosophy behind this is: Find a duplex with a vacancy and try contacting the owner using this posts techniques https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/05/0...

But in that post he has the magic words everyone wants to hear = CA$H

And well I can go FHA, FHA203K, and even conventional. I don't want to put down nothin' if I can help it.

It would just cut into my back up.

Any advice?

One last thing is if I do this is there a way to get around using a RE agent? Can't I do this all myself with Me, an Inspector, The Owner, The Lender and the Lenders Lawyer? Can someone point to some good reading material?

Thank you all.