SF house 3 bed 1 bath Owner asking 155k he’s motivated as it was his parents house I believe 125k is attainable Comps in very desirable Glyndon area (21071 zip) are 250k-300kLot is .4 acreI have pics and a walk thru video I did...

If you engage in an active business such as flipping - UBIT may apply, be sure to speak with knowledgeable CPA to understand the tax liability. 

That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors, realtors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsYou can also search for other investors or brokers in those target markets and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersAnything you can do to build your network in the region will help you find the realtor, and eventually the property, that suits your needs.

That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors, realtors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsYou can also search for other investors or brokers in your target markets and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersBest of luck to you and look forward to following your journey!

is it wise to engage the listing agent directly to draft offers?

If ONE unit is vacant and both units are equal in rooms/bathroom composition, then the new owner will need to move into the vacant unit and then the owner can either evict to take the occupied property completely off the rental market (5 years off the rental market), evict to take back the occupied unit for personal use like moving in immediate family (2  years off the rental market), or they can evict given the tenant is a nuisance or conducting illegal activity (this is a harder method to evict since you have to provide evidence and have a case but if they're selling drugs and you have video footage or something, then make your moves) and there are a few other reasons for at-fault evictions. 

That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors, realtors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsLooks like you've already made some connections with BP members there in your neighborhood...You can also search for other investors or brokers in in Tacoma / Olympia / JBLM, and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersBest of luck to you and look forward to following your success on BP!

Take lots of pictures and videos when doing your walk through.Do mock-up construction budgetsShare these budgets, pictures, videos with more experienced investors and contractors in your market (other markets wont be as useful) and ask them if the numbers you have make sense.

If you are not going to visit the area, find someone on BP who is local to the area, pay them $500 to attend the inspection and drive around the area and end you pictures / video.  

I have uploaded an introduction video on my profile page which I linked from my YouTube channel but it doesn't seem to pop up or play when I hit the play button on it.