New Florida Building Codes Could Mean "Buyer Beware"

Just when you thought the real estate market was tough, here we go some more.  Legislation adopted recently and to take effect 10/1/2007 mandates serious upgrades when re-roofing a home, townhouse or villa.

Certain wind storm construction features will be mandatory for all re-roofs and somewhat expensive to the homeowner.  For real estate agents, you will need to manage this carefully.  New roofs will require the following:

1. All decking will need to be re-nailed with 8d ring shank anchors with a 6/6 spacing.

2. Peel and stick secondary moisture barrier added to decking prior to the felt and "hot mop" stages (modified b.) excluding Miami/Dade and Broward. (Building Officials can't seem to figure out how to peel it off...?)

3. Clips or straps will need to be added to truss/rafter systems that are not properly secured to the exterior walls.

4. Wood framed gable ends will need to be re-inforced or "bracing" added.

5. All roofing materials will need to be secured to a minimum of 140 mph code.

This new legislation coming right behind record payouts by the insurance industry post Hurricane Wilma.  As we drive south on 836 or 75 we can still see blue tarps.  This, in part, by the lack of upkeep with building codes throughout the state.  Not any more, we have seen major changes in the last 18 months statewide and even greater changes within municiplities that are stepping it up further.

So what does this mean, well the $30k roof is now $40 and so on.  With some of the upgrades not allowing the roofing industry to perform.  Yes, the addition of straps or clips cannot be installed by a Certified Roofer.  This work will need to be subcontracted  "up" to a Certified General or Residential Contractor.  And to add insult to injury, the clips or straps will need to be approved by the municipal building department.  So does this mean engineering too?  This also means more work in progress inspections.  Clip and strap, tin and nail, secondary moisture barrier then felt.  Two more work in progress inspections to be ordered during the re-roof.   That just added three to five more weeks to your new roof.  And that's only if your roofer has polished his "time management skills."

Now, we all can't just complain.  What this also accomplishes is a better, more secure dwelling during a wind storm.  If you combine this with the newer mandates on wind rated doors and windows and the addition of mandated large projectile rated shutters when not installing impact glass, this makes the home safer for your family.  Also minimizes insurance claims so rates don't climb as fast as in the past.

My question is how the real estate agent base is going to take this?  Oh, you didn't know?  There's more legislation....

New legislation for the Home Inspection industry will mandate inspectors to not only stipulate damage to major components, but also anticipated useful life AND any additional costs that may adversely effect the value or desirability of the dwellling.  Bet you didn't see that coming!

So, in the past 3 weeks, I have inspected 30+ short sale homes (foreclosure or otherwise) that of course are older and in not the best condition.  What do you think all this adds up to.  An entire industry of real estate agents grinding their teeth and yelling "Deal Breaker Inspector!"

And, what do you think will happen next?  I'll let you in on a secret.  You will find insurance companies requiring, at minimum, a roof or a four point to bind the homeowners policy.  Some carriers have raised the bar on Four Point inspections.  Past requirements were for dwellings 50+ years, now 30. 

Most definately, you will be arranging a "Wind Mitigation Inspection."  This inspection necessary prior to binding the wind portion of policy for homeowners to qualify for significant discounts on this portion of the policy.  These discounts range from 26-56 percent of the wind storm premium.

Well so, you say.  These inspections will need to be conducted within 30 days of closing.  Yes my RE friends, another inspection that most (95%) of the inspection industry is not qualified to conduct for your clients.

 But be patient, we are soon to launch insurancediscountinspections.com real soon... statewide!

 We'll keep in touch...happy house hunting.

 David Manley CRI, CMI,WHMI, GOLD COAST INSPECTIONS, INSURANCEDISCOUNTINSPECTIONS.COM

954-753-3755