Houses are getting so affordable that we want to start buying some investment properties. The one we really like has some suspicious looking previous damage but the bank that owns it won’t provide a seller’s disclosure? Is this normal?

 The bank loaned money against the value of the property, then acquired it (took title) through a foreclosure or deed-in-lieu–of foreclosure. Until that point in time, they had a vested interest, but no personal knowledge of the condition or history of that property.

Buying such properties is a great method for building wealth. However, when purchasing bank owned properties, the terms of the sale will be strictly “as-is with right to inspect”.  You must order any and all inspections that you deem appropriate, and complete them within the allotted due diligence period.