Flipped houses - no permits?

[Iris Guzman]

Hi BP fam. I recently pulled out of what seemed like a workable great deal because a total rehab was done on the property without permits; Electrical, plumbing, tree removal, driveway all require permits in this area. Inspection actually came back pretty solid, but there were plumbing unknowns. On top of that, this was a duplex that seemed to have lost its legal non conforming status in SFR zoning, so it had to have some work to convert back to a SFR, essentially adding sq.footage and again no permits.
It was a difficult decision to pull back but ultimately I was not up to the risk, challenge and liability of dealing with the county to go back and figure out permits as I was hoping to house hack right away. 

My question here - are lack of permits a red flag for the rest of you? Even if it seems to be quality work? 

Would also love to hear from the ATL community. Has anyone had experience with this in Dekalb county Georgia? Lots of flips here and I’m wondering how common/uncommon for these houses to have all the required permits.