The Famous "I want to buy your house" Letter! NEED HELP!

[Rebecca Cramer]

So we want to go for deal #2 but there is a problem, the neighborhood we want doesnt have the right house on the market. I know exactly what I want and know the 25 houses in the neighborhood that has what I want. So I guess I need to write them a letter, right? Problem is that Ive never done this before and while I want to add my own bits to the letter with some of our "story" I could really use a few examples to get started. Anyone feeling generous and want to give me an example of a full letter they have seen or used? Also, should I knock on their door or leave it in their mail box? Should I try to meet them? Lastly, we would not be able to buy it outright. We would only be able to put 10%-20% down and do a conventional 15 year mortgage on it. I guess a real estate investor loan, right? Has anyone else tried to write these letters doing the same thing and not wholesaling it ?? Does this even work??? Any help would would be fantastic! Thanks!