Initial Offer vs Waiting for Asking price

[Josh Anderson]

I am doing direct mail marketing in my area and had a general psychology question about offers. I am looking for other's opinions or experience in making offers/buying off market properties. The few properties I've looked at so far have been single family and duplexes.

When talking with a property owner is it best practice to offer your price first or get the property owner to set their initial asking price and negotiate from there?