Having purchased my first aircraft 18 months ago, I have a couple of thoughts:
1. Don't buy 'too much' aircraft for your level of experience. A fast, complex aircraft will get you there quicker, but it will also run you into controlled airspace and bad weather quicker. Make sure you can think faster than any aircraft you buy.
2. The finders fee doesn't look that unreasonable, if you're richer in cash than time, but you would need a pretty rock solid contract to give you some redress in case they found you a dud.
3. The actual process of trying to find an aircraft yourself is highly instructive and teaches you an enormous amount about what is out there, what the common faults are and some of the ins and outs of ownership. If you do have the time and inclination, I would recommend doing it yourself.
QDM