Best way to contact vacant Homeowner?

[Corey Rippeto]

I found a property that is 100% vacant. It has over grown grass/weeds and I spoke to two neighbors who confirmed it's vacant.

Also, it was on the list of Dilapidated Properties that I received from Code Enforcement, but the officer never said the home actually looks like it should be demolished, just that it has been abandoned for over 30 years and the neighbors have complained about it for some time. So i'm thinking they're just tired of hearing about it.

The neighbors told me someone comes once a year every summer to do a "small" mowing around the place, and that's it.

I have retrieved phone numbers, a current mailing address and an email address for the owner.

What would be the best way to contact them?

I'm comfortable with knocking on their door, calling, anything. Great at talking with people. Just not sure what the best approach might be.

[Barry Pekin]

@Corey Rippeto,

Finding good properties is, as I'm sure you're aware, hard work.  If you find something that looks like it could be a good deal as this one does, then spare no expense finding the owners.  I would start with a call.  It's the fastest and most personal.  Work on building rapport with the owner.  If you can't reach them, then send a personal letter and an email.  If that doesn't work, and you get no indication if you're even barking up the right tree, do some skip tracing just to see if there's some other contact information out there.  You want to be the person who's gone the extra mile to get in contact with the owner.  Consider the fact that it's been abandoned for a long time.  I'm sure someone else has tried - and failed.  Do what it takes.

If you do connect with the owner, and they don't want to sell, then just follow up with them every once in a while.  When they do decide to sell, you want to be the first person they think of.