How to write a letter to neighbor asking to buy their property?

[Ryan White]

I grew up on a 5 acre nursery in Southern California, before moving away.  Some recent family issues have brought me back home.  My neighbor, who I have never met before, has about 5 acres as well, but it is broken up into two APN numbers.  One has a house which I believe was just rented on about 1.5 acres, and then there is about a 3.5 piece of bare land, with a well, and two completely worn and broken down greenhouses, as well as a few small storage structures.

I'm interested in soliciting my neighbor to buy his/her property.  I'm actually more interested in the bare land as it directly borders my current property and the house does not.  Additionally, I can renew the greenhouses and use them.

How do I write an appropriate letter to ask my neighbor if they would be willing to sell me their property?  Do I make an offer in the letter?  I have some cash and would be interested in them carrying the property for short term while I use the greenhouses, and then do a balloon payment.  I'm also interested in any other suggestions you may have.

Thank youl.