How to ask owner about purchasing his property in pre-foreclosure

[Michael Swanger]

I am new to investing, owning only my personal residence that I bought as a foreclosed hud house and totally restarted it from ground up. I am now hooked on the hunt for another property for long term investing. On the other end of my street I have found out a house this is currently in pre-foreclosure and I would like to purchase it before it goes threw the system, but how do I approach this guy without offending him and or causing embarrassment from either party? any help would be appreciated thanks!