Vacant home, potential flip in Oakland County Michigan?

[Jennifer Martin]

Every day on my way to and from work I drive by a beautiful home that I've always admired.  For about the past year I've thought to myself that this home must be vacant.  It's on the corner of two fairly busy streets and there isn't one window treatment in any of the windows.  There is some kind of note on the front door and I've never seen a light on or a car in the driveway.

I did some research online and found that the home was purchased as a foreclosure in 2010 for about 30% of what I think today's ARV is. I have no idea what the condition of the home is but if there is a motivated seller and the numbers make sense, I would love to fix and flip this house.

My question is, would it be wise to go to the county building and see if I can find out who purchased the home, then try to send that person a letter explaining my interest in it?

If so, what information should I be asking for and to whom should I ask it?