Contractor for first walk-through

[Amber Gorzynski]

Good afternoon!

I am new to BP, to real estate investing, and to my area (relocated just before the holidays) so I hope this is the right section for this question! This is my first post at BP, but I have found the other resources and forum topics/responses to be exceptionally helpful and I'm hoping I can avoid some of the typical "newbie" mistakes. 

So here's my question(s):

My husband and I are considering purchasing a duplex (we would occupy one unit and rent out the other), but upon the first viewing with the realtor, it needs a lot of work. We expected this and we would purchase with the intention of it being an investment. We were going to have a formal inspection done before making an offer just to be crystal-clear on what we would be dealing with, but the realtor suggested we save some time and money by having a contractor take a look to help us determine the repairs required, and subsequently how much we should offer.

Is this pretty standard practice as far as "due diligence" goes? 

Also, is it then assumed that this contractor would have first dibs on any work that is determined necessary?

It is a bank-owned foreclosure, if that makes any difference. 

Thank you!!

Amber