First investment property... but it’s not for sale.

[Emma Kellenberger]

I am looking to get a head start on my first investment. My parents house, which is actually not for sale. They have been renters of the house for 16 years, since I was 4. The couple who owned it when I was little passsed away and it was sold to another man, whom is “broke” (grape vine from my parents) and he doesn’t do much to actually fix anything that needs to be fixed. He pays some under the table random to just do the work that needs to be done and it is not done well. The house is located in Wilmington, NC. The person who currently owns lives in Raleigh. How can I go about trying to purchase the property? Should I hire an agent to contact the owner to see if we can make a deal on the house? 

Thanks!