Bad idea to contact out of state owner directly?

[Shane Woods]

While looking at a property this morning, I spotted a for-sale sign on a nearby house small local realtor. House was "open" so I looked inside. Old house needs everything.

Checked tax records and found owner lives In LA, and this is a probate house.

Will I be burning a local bridge to contact the owner directly to discuss purchase? Is there a (legal in tx) way to pay the realtor for something if I purchase directly from owner?

Otherwise, I have no problem working with the realtor but this house can't sell for more than 10-15K as a flip, maybe 20-25 as a rentsl.

Thanks for your thoughts.