About to Buy a Duplex and Wondering how the Offer Process Goes

[Michael Clayborne]

Hello BiggerPockets!

I'm looking to buy my first duplex! It is leased for two years on one side and vacant in the other. 

I plan to House Hack with this Duplex. I have toured vacant side and noted the side needs rehabbing, but I haven't seen the occupied side. 

Multifamily properties are really hot in my market and I wanted to know how the offering/contracting process goes. the property is on the MLS and I am working through a realtor (specializes in first-time house buyers but not in real estate investors).

Can I make an offer before seeing the occupied side, get it under contract, then negotiate the price after seeing the other side? How does the whole process work? Thanks for your responses!