WWYD? Make contact or leave it to the agent

[Brianna Jackson]

Do you contact homeowners directly if you've found the property on the MLS/sites like redfin, zillow, etc. or do you leave it to the assigned agent? And if you do make contact, how?

So I've found a property that I'm interested in. It's a multiunit and all of the units are currently occupied. The asking price is a bit above where I want it to be, but I've consulted with my RE agent and am waiting on her response. In the meantime, I've researched the area (I'm currently out of the country so I cannot do a tour) via craigslist, crime stats, schools, etc. and I'm still liking what I see. I visited the county assessors site where I found the owners name. I googled the owner and I believe I've found his LinkedIn but feel like a creep reaching out because CLEARLY I've just done a lot to find him...This is my first time doing this so maybe that is why I'm feeling this way? Would it be ok to reach out? What do you do?