I have located a property with problems, how to contact the owner?

[Silver A.]

Here's the situation:

I have come across quite a few vacant for a long time, in dire need of repairs, or otherwise problematic properties. I know the addresses and the owners details. What would the best way to contact them and find out whether they have thought of selling?

IMHO at first knowing a lot about the property might seem a bit shady for the owner. On the other hand it will show I know what I am talking about and have done my homework.

Should I just give them a call? Or send a letter at first? If a letter, how detailed should it be?

... what has worked for you in situations like this?

[Monica Breckenridge]

I used to do this all the time before I had money for marketing. I would door knock the foreclosure list and often would find homes vacant. Here's what I did that was very successful:

1. Leave a note and info package on the house, just in case they live in the area and come back periodically.
2. knock on every neighbors house and ask them for information on where they are, do they have a phone #, do they know where they work, do they have their email. This is where you become a detective and try to dig for as much info as possible.
3. Once you get some clues for example work you can call them up at their work or you can look them up on social media websites like Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter and send them a message. I have found many people this way.
4. Look on the assessor webpage to see if a new mailing address has been documented. If so knock on that door.
5. Do a reverse address search on www.PhoneNumber.com. If they have a home phone they may have transferred it with them.
6. Do a name search on phone number.com and search for just in your city. you make find their new address this way, even if they don't have a phone # recorded.
7. Leave notes on all the neighbors doors if they aren't there.
8. Phonenumber.com the neighbors to get their phone #'s to call them if they weren't home.
9. Write the homeowner a letter and hopefully it will forward to their new address.

Persistence is key and never give up. I was very successful when I started out because I was very persistent. I'm sure I had more creative ways, but this was what came to my mind first.