Etiquette Question - Contacting Owner of Condo Headed to Auction

[Andrew S.]

Hi there!

First time poster here. Excited to learn more from this community and hopefully meet a few folks too.

Question for the board - I've been loooking at a condo that will be up for auction in two weeks. It fits nicely into my narrow criteria of what I'm looking for and I am very motivated to purchase the property. 

While the property records don't list a person's name, I went ahead and inquired at the Tax Assessor's office to find out who owns it. Once I get their info, do you think it's a good idea for me to contact the owner and see if we can strike a deal before it heads to auction? If so, what's the best way to go about contacting-- just a cold call? A facebook message? A handwritten letter?

This would be my second investment property ever to purchase so still quite new with much to learn.

Thanks!