Got a call from my mailing campaign and need help making an offer

[Robert M.]

This January I started my mailing campaign in San Diego, California targeting absentee owners and I need help with my first caller. He sounds like a tired landlord on the phone, seems like he has an outdated house with tenants living there that are giving him grief. The seller said that the house needed some repairs and said he suspected that their might be foundation issue (I don't know why). I told him I would call him back after I researched the property. Help me figure out what to do next.

• Absentee owner
• Owes less than 300k in mortgage
• 5 bedroom 3 bathroom
• 3 Car Garage
• Built in the early 70s
• 2,700 sq ft
• Lot size 11,000 sq ft
• Online estimate around 1,000,000

I don't have access to the MLS so I ran comps using the Zillow sold and on sale listings. Zillow and other online websites estimate the house be worth around 1,000,000. But I can't know for sure.

All SOLD Houses within .5 miles

• 5bed / 3bath / House 2780 sq ft. / Lot 10,500 / Garage 3 car/ Built 1971 / Sold for $1,010,000 on 10/2013
• 5bed / 3bath / House 2780 sq ft. / Lot 11,500 / Garage 3 car/ Built 1970 / Sold for $949,000 on 9/2013
• 5bed / 3bath / House 2340 sq ft. / Lot 14,00/ Garage 3 car/ Built 1970 / Sold for $935,000 on 10/2013
• 6bed / 3bath / House 2780 sq ft. / Lot 8,750 / Garage 3 car/ Built 1970 / Sold for $600,000 on 10/2013
• 6bed / 4bath / House 3350 sq ft. / Lot 9,200 / Garage 3 car/ Built 1970 / Sold for $876,00 on 10/2013

Houses on SALE within .5 miles

• 5bed / 3bath / House 2325 sq ft. / Lot 8,900 / Garage 3 car/ Built 1972 / selling for $999,000

Since this is my first call I would really appreciate some guidance on what to do next.

1. Should I make him a soft offer over the phone contingent on how much repairs the house needs?
2. If I make an offer over the phone how should I calculate it?
3. Or should I just make an appointment to go view the house and make an offer there after seeing the damages?