Offering on off market/sight unseen deals with rehab cost in mind

[Tanner Wilbeck]

Hey everyone! 

I am strongly considering beginning to take a stab at direct mail marketing in hopes of better returns compared to whats on the MLS .

My big question is this: When you find a deal (take direct mail for instance), how do you know how to make a fair offer when a prospective seller is interested assuming you've never seen the inside of the house? 

Do you guys plan a visit to see the house in person and do your rough estimate on your rehab costs and then offer at that point, or do you make a "ballpark" offer on your first point of contact and then modify this at a after you've seen the house or something else?

Very curious to hear everyone's strategy on this. I feel like I understand enough to get these off market deals, I'm just not sure how to proceed on making a smart offer when I get someone who is highly interested.

Thanks!

-Tanner