Are older homes (built before 1996) safe for hurricanes? (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: real estate, insurance)

[futureSDresident]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about relocating to Coral Springs and have a couple questions regarding homes and hurricanes.

I read that homes build after 1996 and especially 2001 are supposed to be safe because of the new building codes.

Does this mean homes built before 1996 are more likely to get destroyed by hurricanes?

Is it even worth the time looking at those?

Also, is it better to live in Coral Springs (more inland) when considering hurricanes?

Thanks for your help!

[rusty78]

My wife and I have been looking to relocate in the Fort Lauderdale area and found that the insurance rates are much cheaper west of 95......of course you have to remember there is a 2% deductible on the hurricance insurance so if your house is insured for 300K you pick up the first 6K......can get to be expensive if you get back to back storms...There is also a wind midigation report that is needed for insurance...

As far as the age of a house...when looking our real estate agent told us to look for a home less than ten years old since the building codes had been changed...my suggestion is when you find a house that you like...before you make an offer...find an insurance agent to see if the house is insurable...perhaps you should find an insurance agent first and then start looking......

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by futureSDresident

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about relocating to Coral Springs and have a couple questions regarding homes and hurricanes.

I read that homes build after 1996 and especially 2001 are supposed to be safe because of the new building codes.

Does this mean homes built before 1996 are more likely to get destroyed by hurricanes?

Is it even worth the time looking at those?

Also, is it better to live in Coral Springs (more inland) when considering hurricanes?

Thanks for your help!

It depends upon what time period before 1996. Homes that were built before 1975 are typically CBS construction (concrete block/stucco) and have successfully weathered storms year in and year out. The home I grew up in Hollywood was built in 1950 and never sustained more than minimal damage after 7 hurricanes, including Hurricane Andrew. "New Construction" got sloppy by the 80s building boom (lots of tape and drywall) which lasted until Andrew hit in 1992. As a result of the damage caused to homes built during that past decade or so, building codes were strengthened. The reason why older homes (pre-1975) have lasted so successfully? Roof pitch. Older homes don't have vaulted ceilings and increased roof pitch which makes for more resistance to wind. Newer construction has more pitch and as a result tie-downs/straps called wind mitigation are now used (post-1996) to anchor the roof trusses to the frame of the house. Some homes have had this process completed after the fact as well. Look for mention of wind-mitigation in the listing detail. It not only makes the home safer but offers a sizable insurance discount. In the end I wouldn't let it deter from your search as the wind mitigation process is not terribly expensive should you find the otherwise perfect home.

[MikeM8560]

My current house was in the brunt of hurricane charly. Its 72 construction Metal roof with roof / rafter straps. With window shutters your nit bad off