Tracking Down Property Owner

[Mike V.]

Hey Y'all.  My first post on BP.   Been a long time lurker.  So, I invest in the Nashville area.  I've recently found an abandoned property.  Tracking the records, I got excited when I saw that the owner lived out of state in Torrance, CA.  Upon digging deeper, the owner is a successful doctor in CA, and deed is held under his office address.  I've contacted owners before, but this one has me a little stumped.  What do you feel is the best way to contact him?  I have his number (office number) but don't want to push him away by contacting a doctor at his office.  I could send a letter, but again, it's going to a doctor's office which is receiving A LOT of mail for various purposes.  Any thoughts as to the best method of contacting him??  Thanks for the input in advance. 

[Rick H.]

Here's my mantra:

Mail > Call > Knock

Send your letter(s) Priority Mail. Spend the $6,00 or whatever it is now and your letter will show up and stand out. 

Just because he's a Doctor doesn't mean he's rich. He may be cash-strapped and pressed for time (glad I dropped out of pre-med in the early 1970's).

I would inquire as to his plans for the property. Your objective: become an insider to the opportunity. Here's how:

Offer to look after the property. If he wants to pump money into it, you can help repair and find a tenant. Make that option look like a losing proposition. 

Give him the bad news about crime stats in the area and likihood if squatters stealing copper tg don burning the property down. Ask him if it's insured (of course nor!)

Ask if he'd be will to let you buy, giving a little cash and some more over time.

You have just created the framework for a seller financed deal.