Agree with @John Newhall. Many times you should be able to buy from the wholesaler directly - make sure its someone experienced and had been doing it for a while; occasionally it is still a good idea to pay extra and have a realtor handle the paperwork/legal ramifications, depending on the property. Many times the realtor will negotiate the seller paying a commission out of proceeds, sometimes it would be you if the numbers still make sense, sometimes it would be a split between you and the seller. On properties under 100k we are not talking immense amounts of money for commission. I always negotiate my own commission when my buyers buy wholesale, and will help even if I don't get paid. There are many excellent and experienced wholesalers in Milwaukee that have attorneys look at the paperwork if needed. You should definitely let you agent know about your plans, and he/she may be willing to look at wholesale properties for you as well.
Another thing to consider - there are a few foreclosures in Bay View that are in absolutely atrocious shape, but foreclosures are not a good deal right now, banks are very greedy. You can ask your agent to write multiple low-ball offers on those, both HUD and Homepath, knowing that majority will be rejected, but you may get lucky with 1 out of 60 on average. That is a lot of work for your realtor for nothing, and you would want to have some sort of arrangement with paying a very small sum for simply writing an offer - if will be worth it if you are able to get a deal.
