I'm better off just mailing a letter and waiting. 

I would probably ask for 2 determination letters - the latest property inspection findings/report and the latest financial determination of the tenant to see what portion of the rent they are responsible for.  

I hope you are capturing all of those craigslist leads because they will come in handy once you find your motivated seller.I recommend defining your target market and driving those neighborhoods looking for the worst house on the best block.

@Jennifer Rogers to mention someone type the @ symbol followed by the first three letters of their name.

Let me know if you need a copy of the notice of rent increase letter. 

Also where can I find templates or examples of good letters or post cards? 

It's FREE and a lot of people, including tenants searching for a home, come through this site to find what they're looking forScreen and select qualified tenantHost an open house personallyHave application forms ready with requirements, what's going to happen in the screening process, and the qualities you expect from your tenantsAvoid fair housing problemsLease-Up the tenantSet and collect the rentImplement day-to-day operationsHave a handyman you can trust and who will get the job done in a timely mannerGet things done in order to keep your business running smoothly (rent, taxes, mortgage, maintenance, etc.)Know how to renew leases AND how to deliver termination letters and deal with evictionIf they're a good tenant and you're a great landlord, your tenants will have no problem renewing a new lease period with youIf they're not a good tenant and start missing payments and etc use your current relationship with them to reason out a solution.

I plan on sending out 1500 direct mail letters (100 going out this morning) to Florida land investors to test this strategy.

You have to know the streets, & the blocks on the streets, to make sure you find something that you want to own for a rental.)Make sure that they actually work with investors.

I did tell him until I find out more info, to send me a letter from jail with his signature asking what he wants me to do with his personal property and any security balance left after cleaning and packing and moving his stuff out 'for him' given the situation.