I was in the same boat Holly. I wanted to detect a area but was afraid to ask. I couldn't just go up and dig the place, I just wont do it without asking first. This went on for a month or so and I finally just got in my truck and drove into the middle of this golf course going up. Found a grounds keeper who directed me to the office. The guy in the office said the guy who owns doesn't live here and he is in charge, He told me to close all gates behind me and stay off the greens. What I found out later, was the ground I wanted was BLM land anyway, and multi use and required no permission. But I asked. It got a lot easier after that first time. I have so many old places and invites I dont know where to start next. If your gut is telling you to do it, then I would listen to it. If a bank owns it, it means it aint sold yet, and the original owner may still have a say about it. Or you could just watch for demo crews and detect after they tear it down. Good Luck.