Buying house from friend in Killeen

[Tim Greenfield]

My friend is overseas (Army) and was recently talking about investments and that he was going to sell a house he had in Killeen. I was talking to him about holding and to continue renting it but unknown to me he talked with another friend and he decided to list. No problem but I would have bought it from him without using a realtor. He however, has already signed a contract with a realtor but it has not hit the MLS yet. What would be the best way to handle this so he gets the money he wants. He wants to take the cash proceeds to buy a house for his parents. What the realtor will list it at seems to be below comps in this area of Killen,Texas. Do I just tell him and his realtor that I want a contract for the amount pending house inspection and then just roll that way? Or should I also work with a realtor as well to represent me? I am already pre approved and currently have 8 houses.