Advice Wanted: Real Estate Agent for First Deal Off-MLS?

[Byron Broughten]

Hey BP,

I'm trying to buy my first property, and I'm going to send out a bunch of mailers to people who own the specific type of property that I'm looking for; who knows if that'll work, but just in case I want to be prepared.

So I ask: if I get a call from someone interested in selling, should or can I involve my real estate agent in the process, such as to help with paperwork and closing, or should I try to line up a lawyer to help with closing and leave my real estate agent out?

One more consideration: like I said, this is my first property, and thus far my agent has been a tremendous help both to my learning and with connecting me to other team members, and he has taken me to view so many places—I would feel bad cutting him out of the purchase that I finally make. I feel like I'd at least owe him something.

Advice appreciated.