CBS vs framework in Florida

[Allyssa McCleery]

Hello,

I am a new investor and I am looking at duplexes in the palm beach county area. I have been advised to go for houses that have a concrete block structure (CBS) and avoid houses that are framework structured and I am wondering if anyone can expand on that or share their experience with me.  How do the capex/repair bills compare for these two structures? Can anyone tell me about their experience with pests or structural damage as it relates to framework? 

[Bob Razler]

Hello @Allyssa McCleery :

As the others have said, insurance is one issue.

Termites are another issue, but block only eliminates the issue from the exterior walls.  The remaining interior wood is still vulnerable.  Always best to get any house checked and treated regardless of the exterior wall construction method.

From a practical standpoint, block will serve you better than wood frame in a hurricane.  But it is a matter of degree.  If you get a strong enough hurricane here you are going to have damage.

From a repair perspective, let's hope that none of us need to repair exterior walls that often (or ever).  Wood would be a bit cheaper but it should have a vapor barrier over it before the stucco is applied, unlike block.

If you ever need to run additional wires, cables, plumbing, etc., it's nice to have wood walls rather than block.

There are plenty of wood frame homes down here.  Most second floors on block homes are wood frame and if not they are only block-over-block.  So many homes have some wood framing whether the owners know it or not.

The bottom line is that the wood frame homes aren't sitting vacant for lack of ownership interest or refusal to occupy.

Bob