Once again reddit I turn to you for advice. Am I getting screwed?

Ok, I'm buying a house in Alabama. I'll give you the catch first. Seller lives in NY. I live in Alabama. I've spoken to him many times on the phone. The house is one of those as-is houses that is very beat up and I'm trying to flip it (like walls are missing). The reason I don't think I'm getting scammed is that he has agreed to enter into a contract with my attorney as well as do a title search and title insurance. He wanted to do a cash deal because it's less than 5k for the house, but I insist on going through my attorney. Should I go through with this or leave it? I guess my main concern is how can we verify everything if he is in NY (like signing all docs over fax) and I'm in Alabama.