Purchasing from Wholesalers or Off Market

[Darren Nichols]

New to RE investing. Been studying for a few months and just recently attended a local REI club. Ive been looking at SFH for a while and I have not really seen any deals from the listings I've found on the MLS the meet my requirements. I have recently connected with some wholesalers and looking for off-market deals to BRRRR. My questions are as follows.

1. Can I write my own offers?  I'm aware that a title company can help with this and also a RE attorney or Realtor but just wondering if I can just write my own offers and if so, what contingencies are others using? (Inspection, title issues, timeframes ect.)

2. Is having an inspection a good practice and acceptable for all wholesale and off-market offers?

3.  What amount of earnest money is acceptable and is this held by the title company?  How would this be done if you write your own offer? (If the answer to 1 is yes) 

4.  What're the best ways to get comps for wholesale properties if you are not working with an agent?

5.  is it acceptable to ask the help of a Realtor with wholesale properties that I find for a fee?  If so, is there a standard fee or percentage for something like this?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Darren