No realtor, first house hack?

[Avery Robertson]

I am wondering if I need to get a realtor involved or what should be my next steps in buying my first duplex to house hack? 

I sent a letter to a duplex owner of a property my wife and I liked. The owner called and said he'd be interested in selling later this month. I've never bought real estate and I've only looked at doing it through traditional realtor listed and realtor purchased. 

Do I need to get a realtor involved even though I started all the leg work? If not what should my next steps be after I look at the property later this month?

[Seth Nadreau]

The realtor in me cringes... but the investor in me tells you its not that bad to do it without a realtor as long as you get a deal on the property. The benefit to the seller, is that they save on commission... so they should at least cut a bit of that off the price, right? 

That said... 

Get financing approved.
Write a contract (can find a state contract online or make one!).
Get either a title company or real estate lawyer involved to handle title and closing.
Get an inspection done (I can't stress that enough!)
Buy the property.

Enjoy.