Work without permits

[Adam E Coleman]

Hello Bigger Pockets community. I am new to the Tampa market. I am buying a house in Seminole Heights (pending inspection) and found that there has been plumbing and electric updates in the home, but public records show that permits were not pulled. Is this common in this market? Is it a huge red flag? Should I still go ahead with the inspection and hope it is decent work? Please help!

[Matthew Crivelli]

This is common everywhere. If you pull permits then the town knows you're having work done which could lead to the tax assessor knocking on the door! Have your inspection and make the inspector aware. This isn't always a red flag, it could be they were just trying to save a few bucks.