Tyler and Terry are correct. Your home inspector and the health department are great resources. Also think about going to the manufacturer. Very often the age of an appliance is part of the serial number. With older homes your home inspector should be able to identify the age of someupgrades such as electric panels and other building materials.

Lastly you could try a reputable general contractor that has a long track record of local work. They wil be tuned into the changes in building practices over time and may help identify the lineage of upgrades and remodels.

Kat,
Your inspector will be able to get most of those answers for you. Terry was correct in contacting the Health Department for the as-built. Purchasing bank-owned homes is simply a waiting game. If you are in no hurry to move in and you see potential in the home, then you could be making a great decision in buying bank owned. Best of luck.
Tyler Freed
Windermere RE Lake Tapps Inc.

It is difficult when there is not a previous occupant of the home to speak with. The Health Dept should have a septic design on file...depending on the age of the home. A title company can identify all previous owners and you may able to track them down. A Realtor may be able to find some info in the MLS. The bank may let you take a home inspector to the house and let him poke around. (This will cost some money). All lot of ways to gather info...but none of it in one spot. This is why buying foreclosed homes is difficult and risky if you are not aware of the many potential issues.

Have a title company do a title search on the property. This should give you what you are looking for. The encumbrance will show up on the title report.