How to make an offer on pre-foreclosures

[Robert Hannigan]

There may be more threads associated with this, but there a several properties in my area which are in "pre-foreclosure" status and I am interested in making an offer. I know most home owners have a great amount of pride in owning their homes and could be easily offended by a cold call making an offer. In your experience is there a better way to go about making an offer on this type of property that will not offend the seller (or get a knee jerk NO), while maintaining the low number you are looking for in a deal like this?