how to approach an owner on a vacant property

[Rebecca Ciastko]

I am newer in the flipping world. I am an architect by trade, I have worked as a construction manager for sometime now and am branching out into real estate development. I have found a property that has been vacant for several years and I have tracked down the owner and researched his background a bit. He has ties to a development company and construction company but it doesn't appear they either has been active on any projects in several years. ( nothing the great google could find at least)

I want to approach him and see if I can strike a deal on the property he is holding (which he has missed his last tax payment on.) I am not in a position to buy it out right, however I do have access to funds and resources for construction to flip it.  I am looking for the best way to breach the subject with him. Any one have any suggestions on what to say to him, what to put out on the table or just in general how to approach the subject.  I have both an address and a phone number for the owner. 

Any guidance is welcomed :)

[Diane DeVita-Seneca]

Lead with value! What do you have to offer, what do you bring to the table? Lead with what you will do for the OWNER. Ask questions, find out the owner's motivations (like you did - he's not interested in selling) - then decide if you would be of value, and tell that person what you can do for them. That's it!