It's a post-and-beam house, with a concrete block perimeter.

My advice, find out about previous repairs, if house sits on expansive soil or what type of land it sits on and if on expansive soil, pass on it because you will constantly be throwing thousands of dollars towards beam placement or adjustments.

i'm still trying to choose the right beam angles, which depend on ceiling height.  

The drainage was exceptional as the entire basement even at that entrance was completely dry.From the basement the flooring support beams were welded 8inch steel trusses on 24inch centers supported on 12inch steel I Beams with a flange & web thickness running at least 3/4-1inch.

The hurricane damage exposed some part of the building that wasn't up to code (the steal beams) and they had to rebuild that plus other parts of the condo that got destroyed like the lobby and gym etc. and everyone got hit with that huge assessment.

There are several...and I do mean several split and bent beams and rafters.

If you aren't laser focused on these two, your other goals just won't be possible. 

There is a gas water heater  in the kitchen and we are moving it under the house (pier and beam (yes there is plenty of room down there for a short boy water heater)) but the plumber said we could not do gas under the house because of code issues and he does not feel comfortable putting one down there because if there is a gas leak it'll seep through the bottom of the house.

If someone tells you, you can't do it, prove them wrong by staying dedicated to your cause and have laser focus and determination and there is nothing that you cannot do! 

We had an investor friend replace his piers & beams several years ago for about $1500 per pier.