Home builders in the 90ies (Sarasota, University: real estate, insurance, construction)

[One_in_the_sun]

Hi all,

Looking for a home in SRQ. How did the builders differ as in quality of construction? Is there something to look out for at this time when looking at homes that were built in the 90ies? US Homes, BFM builders, Morrison, Ruthenberg etc.? Perhaps it doesn't matter because the house has been there for 20+ years? Palmer Ranch area is my focal point for now.
Thank you.

[photoman_6]

whatever you do, you should lookfor homes built starting in the latter part of the 2000's. Building codes were enhanced substantially in 2004, I believe.

[beach43ofus]

Originally Posted by photoman_6

whatever you do, you should lookfor homes built starting in the latter part of the 2000's. Building codes were enhanced substantially in 2004, I believe.

There have been building code upgrades for many years, but the last significant one was in 2003 I thought.

I agree...buy the newest home possible and save on insurance, maintenance, upgrades, refurb, and you'll be in a safer home too that uses less energy. You'll have more time to do the things you like.

[bbronston]

My understanding is that you can be sure that homes built in 2003 have the newer codes but the codes changed in 2002 (April maybe?) so only some will have the code change benefits.

[Sunshine Rules]

In 1974, Florida adopted a state minimum building code law requiring all local governments to adopt and enforce a building code that would ensure minimum standards for the public’s health and safety. But when Hurricane Andrew hit South Florida in 1992, it revealed the deficiencies of the state’s existing building code compliance and enforcement processes.

In 1995, FL officials decided to apply the high-wind standards of the Standard Building Code, which was widely used in the Southeast, to all of Florida, this is post Hurricane Andrew.

Then, in the late 1990s, three building codes being used as models nationally merged to form the International Building Code. Florida also developed its own building codes that became effective on March 1, 2002.

In 2004, the state adopted the International Building Code as a model, adding some Florida-specific aspects. New homes are built according to the code, and breaks on insurance rates became available for homeowners who retrofit their homes to comply with current standards (wind mit inspections).

The 2010 edition of the Florida Building Code introduced significant changes to wind load design.

So there are a number of significant dates when it comes to FL Building Codes.

The FL Building Code is updated every 3 years now. The 6th Edition of the Florida Building Code went into effect on December 31, 2017. So the next big update will be in 2020.




I found this report interesting, so I saved the info in my files (I am an information pack rat):

In 2005, University of Florida researchers studied the differences in damage between older and newer homes, comparing 200 randomly selected homes that were in the path of the highest wind zones generated by hurricanes.

The study concluded that homes built under the 2002 Florida Building Code sustained less damage on average than homes built between 1994 and 2001 under the Standard Building Code. Homes built before 1994 also fared worse than those built after that year.

But the 2004 storms did expose some problems. A failure seen among new homes was with the soffits, or vents located below roof overhangs to allow air to circulate through the attic. Wind sometimes damaged or blew out the soffits, allowing wind-driven rain to enter the attic, soaking insulation and damaging ceilings. Those issues were addressed in following Code updates.

[One_in_the_sun]

Thank you all for your replies.
If I look for newer I am going to go out of Palmer Ranch I guess....into Lakewood Ranch. Deer Creek for example has only older ones I think, so does Turtle Rock.

[Sunshine Rules]

Here's a heads up to anyone looking at 1990's built homes within Palmer Ranch. Pinhole Leaks.

Palmer Ranch seems to be ground zero for the problem of pinhole leaks in copper plumbing pipes. There's something about the soil there that corrodes copper pipes over time (at least that's the theory).

You'll notice real estate ads that state the home has been replumbed.... this is why.

Although I would also add that pinhole leaks are becoming less of a problem since the county starting adding an anti-corrosion chemical to the water supplies there in 2005.

Here's an article about it from the Sarasota Herald Tribune:
https://www.heraldtribune.com/articl.../605222123/SH/


On the sellers disclosure statement for these homes, be sure to pay careful attention to the part about plumbing and leaks, especially if they have had a previous pinhole leak that has been repaired.

[One_in_the_sun]

Thank you.