Frame vs. Block in Florida

[Brandon Reed]

What is your criteria for buying homes with a wood frame build in Florida?  I know a lot of investors who say to steer clear and to only really look at block properties (primarily because of termites), but I've seen a few good deals on homes with wood frames so I wanted to dig into that a bit more. Would/have you ever purchase(d) a home like that? If so, under what conditions?

Thanks!

[Allyssa McCleery]

I have two properties in south Florida that are frame. I was afraid of them too when I first started but it hasn't been a terrible experience for me, granted I have owned first one less than 2 years. You will want to factor in additional costs for pest control. You will also want to make sure you are inspecting the property at least once a year to make sure there are not any termites. The good thing about frame homes is you have a lot more freedom to move walls. @Charles Soper is right that some houses stand the test of time. My houses were built in the 20s and 50s and are still standing just fine. @Brandon Reed it is true that insurance is higher but not by a very significant amount. As long as you know the risks and factor them into your analysis you should be fine, and you also may not have as much competition because as @Brian Garrett stated, there are a lot of investors who avoid these types of properties. Of course anything with investing comes down to your level risk tolerance.