Buying a house without a Realtor...

[Timothy Simmons]

Hi, we have a house an elderly woman wants to sell. They want to sell it to us. She has an attorney with a realtor as well. The house is on the water, not updated and she has not lived in it for years but has been kept up. 

Should we get a realtor to help us? I have several friends that are realtors but would rather save the 3%. Or should we get comps, appraised and inspection on our own? 

Thanks in advance, 

Justin