I have an off market deal - Now what about the paperwork?

[Matt Hurley]

Hey y’all! New investor here, came across my first off market deal and need some advice on how to proceed. I’ve seen so many posts on “how to find an off market deal” but almost none on what happens next. 

Seller is a friend of a friend I met at a dinner party. House is a 3-1 in SE Michigan with an ARV of $280k, still negotiating but I can likely get them down to $200k (that I'll give in cash from a hard money lender). Minimal repairs necessary. Long story short, when the sellers mom died they moved in their mom's bigger house and rented out their old house. They hate being land lords, and frankly aren't good at it. They had to go through 3 evictions before finally getting a decent tenant and they just want out. I plan to re-finance and hold, continuing to rent to the current inherited tenant (after re-vetting them of course).

So, assuming we come to a mutually beneficial sale price, what next? I asked my RE agent and he can't allow me to use any of their companies sales docs, nor can he give me advice/guidance on a property he's not an agent on or that's not listed on the MLS.

SO, wholesalers and off-market gurus, what docs do you use to close? Where did you get them? Is hard money a smart option or should I take another path? Any advice for a first timer like myself? Thanks all!