None of the blocks themselves were cracked but the gaps in the mortar were big enough to put my fingers through them.
All of them were in the same corner on both walls.
So maybe the mortar mix used in that corner was defective,
or maybe the foundation in that corner has a problem.
It sounds like fairly normal wear and tear from slightly substandard mortar mixing or application. But if you’re going to bid or put in an offer, a few bucks to get a masonry expert to stop by and look at it would be well spent. On the one hand, you don’t want to buy a house that’s going to need many $k in foundation work; OTOH, it’s could be a Big Scary Cosmetic Flaw that lets you lever the price down or scare off other bidders. 
There’s a lot of interest in this house and multiple offers are expected.
There were four other people looking when I got there.
Of course you never know, but by the time I could get somebody out there to look at it it will probably have a contract on it.
I have an offer written up but I haven’t submitted it.
The taxes on this house are almost double the amount of the other houses I’ve looked at and will add an additional $100 to the payment each month. I still qualify but it is pushing the limit.
If it’s a cheap fix then the house is a great deal.
If it turns out to be a money pit then I’ll be in trouble.
I talked to a local inspector and he said pretty much what everybody else has said.
It could simply be replacing the mortar, or it could be a shoddy job of construction and cost a fortune to fix.
Houses in that area are selling quickly, I’ve lost out on a few because I wanted to get a contractor to look at them before I put in an offer and somebody else got an offer in first.
I suspect this house will have a contract on it today unless the bank holds it open for a few days longer.