Permits first, then the details. A flip is staged to catch your eye, so pay attention to the things the flipper hoped you'd skip. Start with the permit history. Cosmetic, non-structural work done by a licensed contractor without a permit worries us far less. Structural changes made without permits (a wall removed, a load path altered, electrical or plumbing reworked) are a genuine red flag, because unpermitted structural work can be unsafe and can come back on you at resale or with your insurer. Ask for the permit record and compare it to what was obviously changed. Then look past the showy kitchen and new countertops at where flippers cut corners when the budget gets tight: - Baseboards and trim - Flooring that doesn't line up - Sloppy paint lines and doors that don't close - A painted-over roof Visible corner-cutting on the finishes you were meant to be impressed by is a strong signal the work behind the walls got the same treatment. Always get a thorough, independent home inspection on a flip, and consider a sewer scope and specialty inspections. Treat visible sloppiness as a reason to dig deeper or walk away, no matter how well the house shows.