Motivated but non-distressed seller

[Matthew Taylor]

I recently came across an estate sale and was asking about the house. Spoke with the owner, who appears to have retired out of state and is financially stable, about purchasing the property. He is interested in selling but is making some minor cosmetic improvements. I spoke with him yesterday and he mentioned having an appraiser and inspector come to look at the house to have an idea of price and what items need work. The house was occupied by his mother and is a time capsule. I was originally hoping to wholesale it by going the route of trying to purchase as-is, so he would not have to bother with it, living several hours away. The house is not on MLS. What are some methods or leverage I could use to work out a deal?