Advice on where to go next

[Michael Parrish]

I went house shopping for distressed properties and have already sent out letters over interest to buy. These abandoned duplexes are in an area that the property values are slowly climbing up but these homeowners are thousands behind on taxes, absentee owners, and the homes are paid for, but they will need face lifts and have been boarded up by the city. What do you think would be an appropriate price, I want to make sure I'm not about to low ball some people accidentally. The homes selling in the area are between 50-80K after repair value but right now are only worth the land they're on. Is it wrong to offer what they owe on taxes plus a little extra pocket money? Ex. 7k for the duplex and land? These homes need about 15-20k in repairs.