Couple questions as a new investor

[Greg Banheh]

Hi there, I am a new investor looking out of state for my first rental property. I have been looking around the Mid-west area such as Ohio and Illinois. I believe I might have found a deal or two around the area that I would like to pull the trigger on. Couple questions, is it advisable to purchase something that is being sold by owner or should I go with something listed by an agent? Also, going all cash to buy or should I finance for an investment property? Thanks