Here are the details. I know the owner of the house very well. His contract with the realtor is over in a couple of days and he is not re-listing. The house was shown to me by a realtor. Can I buy the house privately? What are the time lines for doing this? (I would still list my house for sale with the realtor that showed us this place. My friend, however, would not have to pay commission thusly giving us a better deal perhaps?)

Your friend signed a listing agreement with his agent that outlines a period of time under which, "any party that has been introduced to the property during the listing agreement that subsequently purchases the property"…etc. Usually it is a six month term but it is also a blank line on many listing agreements that are filled in by the listing agent.

He must review his contract. It should also be noted that since you are discussing buying it during the term of the listing, it may be considered collusion for you to conspire to side-step the listing and "screw the Realtors out of their money".

No matter what the wording says, your agents are going to be angry when they discover what happened and may seek remedy in court.