Contacting current owner

[Mike Smith]

I've found a piece of property in dire need of rehab. Using the local assessor's records, I believe I've found the owner. I plan to write the owner to see if she is intereseted in selling. Does anyone have any advice of what to include in the letter or how to phrase it? If you don't think I should make contact via mail and should do something else, please let me know. Thanks.