*Should I just submit an offer through the Agent (since I have no experience under my belt), or tell him I'd like to work this transaction on my own (ensuring him he will still make his commission, of course), dealing directly with the owner, and allowing my negotiator to deal directly with the bank?

Get some more education under your belt...

I say maybe about 3 to 4 deals under my belt.

But like seat belts and catalytic converters the auto industry did not blow up either.

@James Warren High employment growth is the number one indicator that a market is getting ready to explode (at least that's what I've read, no deals under MY belt to back it up).

Also there are people who have cars that "just stopped running" esp if its around 130-150 miles It may be the timing belt, and check to see if its a non interference engine, the installation of a new belt may just fix it right up, vs an interference engine which may have extensive damage $$I picked up a car for 900 in this situation, put another 400 to get a new timing belt and water pump installed and it drove just fine!!

Bob's consistently awesome and contrarian (for BP anyway) comments have really changed the way I approach purchasing property and prevented me from buying junkers in the rust belt. 

@Chris Clark@George Blower pretty much nailed it! 

or even add some good comments below in this thread if you have some.I'm an experienced full time investor with a lot of flips, wholesales, etc. under my belt.  

You Will need to hustle in the summer to get a few sales underneath your belt.