Sheriff Sale notice served, but trying to buy from seller first

[Alex Ballas]

I have an 8 unit property I am looking at- the owner has been served a Notice of Sheriff Sale date in a few weeks. Knowing the bank will probably buy it back and the sell as a foreclose, should I try to leverage the seller now into a short sale or a deep discount or just wait it out and buy at the foreclosure from the bank, at what would also be at a discount.  

The property has been on the market for almost a year, vacant, distressed, but that is my thing.  Just wondering how to approach the situation, or if i should just wait.