Guidance on Contacting Bank About a Property

[Tim Vest]

Good day all. Newbie here...been doing a ton of homework, reading forums daily, making connections, etc and am ready to start jumping in.

I have a potential opportunity where I happen to have a connection to the former home owners. They walked out on a house about 3 years ago and it's been sitting vacant all that time. I know the area very well and the homes in the neighborhood where the house sits. The owner received the notice of discharge, due to bankruptcy, from the lender in Feb 2019.

Because I have the connection to the former owners, I know who the lender is and I know that the property is not currently being communicated to the public as a foreclosure. I am really interested in trying to get this property before it becomes public.

First, is that possible? Second, if so, does the group have any guidance or advice on how to approach the lender? Questions I should ask...how to make an offer, etc?

Thanks in advance!