Contracts

[Jazzie Brown]

Newbie question here: I was wondering about contracts. I know that if i am using a real estate agent to submit offers then normally they will already have contracts ready to be filled out and submitted to sellers. What if I'm submitting offers on my own to owners that are not on the market, would it be safe to generate my own contract ( I know that the safest option is to have an attorney draft one up but I don't have an attorney right now or the means to get one) or is there a source I can go to to get an example of one? Also after I get my contract filled out by both parties (seller and myself) when is it legally binding?Any insight on this dilemma would be greatly appreciated as well as any pointers anyone might have. 

Thanks in advanced                                                                                                              Jazzie