Welcome @Jake Baxter.If a bank owned the house then you should probably see it on the assessor card and if it was foreclosed on those records are public.I would definitely encourage talking to the neighbors, mail carrier, etc. to find out more information (they usually know the most).Hopefully this deal works out, but don't get stuck or emotionally invested in it - keep doing research on it, but also keep looking and making offers on a lot of other homes.Please keep us posted on your progress.

I have never authorized nor encouraged unethical behavior but I have been the beneficiary of it on several occasions.

I'd encourage you to reach out to more experienced investors in your area!

I'd encourage you to reach out to more experienced investors in your area!

Then after accepting that I was shown a 15 or so  minute countdown timer with an explanation that it would take that long to "process"  and then I was immediately taken to an offer of something like $987 for some digital marketing course with his voice over explaining the course and encouraging to click on the buy button.

I would also like to write a book someday about my investment philosophy and publish my research.

(but that is b.c my family value isn't in line with the teachings on leverage)What I realized, is my family was the RICH DAD, these are all the philosophy I grew up with.  

All courses I've seen encourage this behavior as well as relying on licensed professionals.PS: but it's America, I don't think you can 100% protect yourself from getting sued.

I'd encourage you to reach out to more experienced investors in your area!

I'd encourage you to reach out to more experienced investors in your area!