neighbor down the road..

[Shannon X.]

We have known these people for almost 12 years, though we don't really talk and hang out; she recently lost her job and the house is in pre-foreclosure. My questions are as follow...

1) It's listed at 249K, is their much leeway in pre-foreclosures to bring the price down?

2) Can I deal with the owner personally and work out a deal? or would I have to use the real estate agent?

3) Should I wait till it goes into foreclosure and maybe the price would go down or try to grab the house if the numbers make sense?

4) How would you go about on bringing the question up on purchasing the house? I just find it awkward because I went to school with both of her kids and I feel they would find it disrespectful if I'm trying to buy their house to make a profit?

Thanks