Selling a House With Hurricane Damage in Florida: Repair It, Credit It or Sell It As Is
A storm leaves you with a damaged roof, wet drywall or a flooded garage, and a decision: fix the house and list it, or sell it the way it is. This guide covers the claim deadline that keeps running while you decide, what Florida requires you to disclose even after repairs, the FEMA 50 percent rule, selling with an open insurance claim, and what happens if a hurricane hits after the contract is signed, for owners in Port St. Lucie, the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County.
Quick Answer: Can you sell a house with hurricane damage in Florida?
Selling a house with hurricane damage in Florida is legal and common: you can repair first, sell with a price reduction or credit, or sell as is. In every case Florida law requires disclosure of known material damage, and the statutory flood disclosure asks about flood damage, flood claims and flood assistance even after repairs.
- Notice of a new or reopened property insurance claim must reach the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months; for a hurricane, the date of loss is the landfall date (s. 627.70132, Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026).
- Every seller of residential property must give the buyer the flood disclosure in s. 689.302, Florida Statutes, at or before contract signing; since the 2025 amendment it asks about flood damage, flood claims and flood assistance during the seller’s ownership (accessed October 2026).
- A building in a flood zone is substantially damaged when repair costs equal or exceed 50 percent of its pre-damage market value, and an NFIP policy’s Increased Cost of Compliance coverage pays up to $30,000 toward bringing it into compliance (FEMA, accessed October 2026).
- Under the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar AS IS contract, storm damage after signing that costs no more than 1.5% of the purchase price to restore is the seller’s obligation (Florida Realtors, September 25, 2024).
- Unlicensed contracting during a state of emergency declared by the Governor is a third-degree felony in Florida (s. 489.127(2)(c), Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026).
In this guide
- Can you sell a house with hurricane or water damage in Florida?
- What should you do in the first weeks after the storm if you might sell?
- Do you have to disclose hurricane damage that was repaired?
- What is the FEMA 50 percent rule, and can it decide your sale?
- Should you repair, give a credit or sell as is?
- Can you sell with an open insurance claim?
- What happens if a hurricane hits after you sign the contract?
- How do you price a storm-damaged house?
- What goes in the listing file for a damaged or repaired home?
- Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County: offices and rules after a storm
- Palm Beach County: what changes for sellers?
- Property taxes, FEMA aid and tax basis: what to settle before closing
- Frequently asked questions
Can you sell a house with hurricane or water damage in Florida?
Yes. No Florida law stops an owner from selling a house with hurricane or water damage, but the damage shapes who can buy it, how they pay, and what the seller must disclose. The practical question is not whether the house can be sold; it is which buyer the house can close with in its current condition.
Jeannie Jacobson, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gold in Port St. Lucie, Florida, works with sellers across the Treasure Coast (St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River counties) and Palm Beach County, and the first conversation after a storm is always the same: what is damaged, what has been documented, and what the next buyer’s insurer and lender will see. Those three facts decide the path more than the size of the damage does.
The three paths every damaged home can take
A storm-damaged house reaches the market in one of three ways. Each path is defined below, because the terms are often used loosely.
- Repair, then list. The seller completes permitted repairs with licensed contractors, documents them, and sells the house as a repaired home. The buyer pool is the widest, because conventional, FHA and VA buyers can insure and finance it.
- List with the damage priced in or credited. The seller discloses the damage, sets the price to reflect it, or offers a credit at closing. A seller credit is money the seller agrees to apply at closing toward the buyer’s costs; lenders cap how much a credit can be and what it can pay for. The buyer pool depends on whether the remaining damage blocks insurance or the appraisal.
- Sell as is. Selling as is means the seller offers the house in its present condition and does not promise to make repairs, while the buyer keeps the right to inspect and cancel during the inspection period. In Florida this usually happens on the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar “AS IS” Residential Contract, the standard state contract in which the seller has no repair obligation. Buyers are often cash buyers, investors and renovation-minded owners.
Why the buyer’s insurance and lender matter more than the damage
Most Florida buyers finance their purchase, and a lender will not fund without a homeowners insurance binder. An insurance binder is the insurer’s written confirmation that coverage starts on the closing date. Insurers underwrite the house as it stands at closing, and existing, unrepaired damage is one of the conditions that can keep a carrier from writing a new policy. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state-created insurer of last resort, has its own eligibility rules for damaged buildings; one narrow exception, effective July 1, 2023, is that Citizens cannot deny an application solely because of unrepaired damage that is the subject of a Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) claim (Citizens, “Underwriting Rule Changes,” June 30, 2023). Ask the buyer’s insurance agent to confirm current eligibility for the house before you choose a sale path. Private carriers apply their own rules, and the buyer’s 4-point inspection will record visible roof leaks, water stains and damaged systems for the underwriter.
That is the reason the three paths split the market. A house with an active roof leak or open walls usually cannot be insured for a financed buyer, so it sells to cash buyers or after repairs. A house with cosmetic damage and sound systems can often be insured and financed with a price adjustment. A fully repaired house with permits and a new wind mitigation report competes with every other house on the street.
Water damage is not one category
Sellers often say “water damage” for three different events, and each one is treated differently by insurers and by Florida’s disclosure law:
- Wind-driven water: rain entering through a roof, window or door opened by hurricane wind. This is usually a homeowners (wind) claim.
- Flood: rising water from outside, such as storm surge, overflowing canals or sustained standing water from rainfall. Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood; a separate flood policy, often through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), does.
- Plumbing or appliance water: a burst pipe, a failed water heater or a clogged air handler drain. These leaks are not storm events at all, but they leave the same wet drywall and the same mold risk.
The category matters for the claim, for the disclosure form, and for the 50 percent rule described in section 4. A seller who knows which category each part of the damage falls into can answer a buyer’s questions accurately the first time.
What should you do in the first weeks after the storm if you might sell?
Protect the house from further damage, document everything before and after mitigation, give notice to your insurer well inside the 1-year deadline, and hire only licensed contractors. Each step builds the file a future buyer, insurer and lender will ask for, whether you repair or sell as is.
Mitigation is the work done right after a loss to stop the damage from getting worse, such as tarping a roof, extracting standing water and drying wet materials. Most property insurance policies require the policyholder to take reasonable steps to protect the property after a loss; read your own policy’s duties-after-loss section for the exact wording. Mitigation is also the single biggest factor in whether a water loss turns into a mold problem.
The post-storm sequence for a seller
Make the house stable and document it (owner, first days)
Photograph and video every room, the roof from the ground, the exterior on all sides, and any water line on walls before anything is moved or removed. Then tarp, board and dry. Keep receipts for tarps, fans, dehumidifiers and any emergency service, because they are part of the claim and part of the buyer’s file.
Give notice to the insurer (owner, as early as possible)
Florida law bars a new or reopened property insurance claim unless notice is given within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim unless notice is given within 18 months. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall; for a tornado, windstorm or severe rain, it is the date the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration verifies the event (s. 627.70132, Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026). If flooding is involved and the house has a flood policy, notify that insurer separately.
Meet the adjuster with your documentation (owner and adjuster)
An adjuster is the person who inspects the loss and estimates the covered damage for the insurer. Walk the adjuster through your photos and receipts, and request a copy of the estimate. The adjuster’s estimate becomes one of the most useful documents in a later sale, because it describes the damage in line items a buyer and an appraiser can read.
Check every contractor’s license (owner, before signing anything)
Verify the contractor’s license with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before signing. Under s. 489.127(2)(c), Florida Statutes, an unlicensed person who engages in contracting during a state of emergency declared by executive order of the Governor commits a third-degree felony. Unlicensed work also tends to be unpermitted work, and unpermitted work surfaces in the buyer’s lien and permit search.
Assess and remediate mold with licensed professionals (owner, after drying)
Florida licenses mold assessors and mold remediators under Part XVI of Chapter 468, Florida Statutes, through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. A mold assessment is the inspection and testing that identifies mold and the extent of growth; mold remediation is the removal and cleanup. The department notes that a company that performs both needs two licenses, and that an assessor may not remediate a structure its company assessed within the previous 12 months, or the reverse (DBPR Mold-Related Services FAQ, accessed October 2026). Keep the assessment and the post-remediation clearance together; buyers ask for both.
Pull permits for the repairs (contractor, before work starts)
Roof replacement, structural repairs, electrical and plumbing work and window replacement normally need permits. The building department that issued the original permits for the address issues the repair permits too. Keep each permit with its final inspection; a permit without a final inspection becomes an open permit at sale time.
Sellers who have already left the area, or who own a second home on the Treasure Coast, can run this sequence remotely. The series guide on selling a Florida home from out of state covers access, signatures and coordination from a distance.
Do not sign away the claim in a hurry
For residential property insurance policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, Florida law says a policyholder may not assign, in whole or in part, any post-loss insurance benefit under the policy (s. 627.7152(13), Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026). An assignment of benefits is a document that transfers the right to collect insurance money from the policyholder to someone else, often a contractor. A contractor who asks you to sign one after a storm is asking for something the statute restricts. Have a Florida attorney review any document that mentions your claim, your benefits or direct payment before you sign it.
Do you have to disclose hurricane damage that was repaired?
Yes, in most cases. Florida requires a seller to disclose known facts that materially affect the value of a home and are not readily observable to the buyer (Johnson v. Davis, 480 So. 2d 625, Fla. 1985), and the statutory flood disclosure asks about flood damage, flood claims and flood assistance during the seller’s ownership whether or not the damage was repaired.
The belief to test: “If it was fixed, there is nothing to disclose”
Many sellers assume that a properly repaired roof or a rebuilt room erases the history. The flood disclosure statute settles part of the question. Section 689.302, Florida Statutes, requires every seller of residential real property to give the buyer a flood disclosure at or before the time the sales contract is executed. The form asks the seller to check whether the seller has knowledge of any flooding that damaged the property during the seller’s ownership, whether the seller has filed a claim with an insurance provider relating to flood damage on the property, including a claim with the NFIP, and whether the seller has received assistance for flood damage, including from FEMA (s. 689.302, Florida Statutes, as amended by ch. 2025-166, accessed October 2026). None of those questions asks whether the damage was repaired. A seller who flooded in 2024, rebuilt in 2025 and sells in 2026 still answers “has” to the first question.
The common-law rule covers the rest. Under Johnson v. Davis, the duty reaches facts that materially affect value and that the buyer cannot readily see. A repaired roof leak may no longer be a defect, but the facts around it, such as a structural repair, a mold remediation or a repair done without a permit, can still be material. A complete, documented repair is the strongest position a seller can have; a hidden repair is the weakest, because it surfaces anyway through the buyer’s insurance history search.
Is a roof leak “flooding” on the Florida disclosure?
Not by the statute’s definition. Section 689.302 defines flooding as a general or temporary condition of partial or complete inundation from the overflow of inland or tidal waters, the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff or surface waters, or sustained periods of standing water resulting from rainfall. Rain entering through a damaged roof is not on that list. Wind-driven water damage still falls under the general Johnson v. Davis duty, and most seller disclosure forms ask about roof leaks and water intrusion separately. A garage or ground floor that took on standing water after a tropical storm can meet the “sustained periods of standing water resulting from rainfall” language even without a named hurricane.
How buyers learn about past claims anyway
Insurers share claims history through industry databases, and a buyer’s insurance agent will often see prior property claims on the address when quoting. A prior claim that the seller did not mention becomes a trust problem in the middle of the inspection period. A seller who discloses the claim, attaches the adjuster’s estimate and the repair invoices, and lists the permits closes that gap before it opens.
What to write on the disclosure
- Repaired damage: the date of the storm, the area affected, the work done, the licensed contractor, the permit number and the final inspection date.
- Unrepaired damage: the location and nature of the damage, any estimate in hand, and whether a claim is open.
- Mold: the assessment result, the remediation and the clearance report, with dates.
- Flood: the three statutory answers on the s. 689.302 form, plus the flood zone and any flood policy in force.
The series guides on Florida seller disclosure requirements and Florida’s flood disclosure for home sellers explain each form in full. This section is general information about Florida disclosure law; for advice on what a specific loss requires you to disclose, consult a Florida real estate attorney.
What is the FEMA 50 percent rule, and can it decide your sale?
The FEMA 50 percent rule says that a building in a Special Flood Hazard Area whose repair cost equals or exceeds 50 percent of its pre-damage market value is “substantially damaged” and must be brought into compliance with current floodplain requirements when repaired, which can mean elevating it. The rule can turn a repair job into a rebuild, so it changes both the repair budget and the buyer pool.
Substantial damage is damage of any origin where the cost of restoring a building to its pre-damage condition equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building’s market value before the damage occurred. A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is the area on a FEMA flood map with a 1 percent or greater annual chance of flooding, shown as zones beginning with A or V. Substantial improvement is the parallel rule for planned work: any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvement whose cost equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building’s market value before the work starts.
Who makes the determination
FEMA does not make substantial damage determinations. The community’s building official or floodplain administrator does, as part of the community’s participation in the NFIP. In unincorporated St. Lucie County, the county states that structures substantially damaged within the Special Flood Hazard Area must meet the requirements of the assigned flood zone at the time of the application to repair (St. Lucie County, Guidelines for Permitting Post-Storm or Disaster, accessed October 2026). In Palm Beach County, the county’s Flood Damage Ordinance covers unincorporated areas, and residents of cities must contact their own building departments (Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management, Floodplain Regulations, accessed October 2026).
Two details catch sellers by surprise. First, the 50 percent test uses the value of the building only; land value is excluded. Second, “damage of any origin” means wind damage counts toward the threshold for a building in a flood zone, not only flood damage. A determination can also look back at earlier work: in unincorporated Palm Beach County, ULDC Article 18 tells the floodplain administrator to evaluate previous permits issued for improvements and repairs, and previous permits for flood-related repairs, when deciding whether new work is substantial (Palm Beach County ULDC Art. 18.A.3.D, accessed October 2026). Each community sets its own look-back rules, so before you sign a repair contract, ask the building department that will issue the permit whether it counts earlier permits and over what period.
How market value of the structure is established
FEMA’s Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference (FEMA P-758) describes the sources a community may accept for the pre-damage market value of the building, such as an independent appraisal of the structure or property appraiser values adjusted to market. The local official decides which source to accept. A seller who believes the official’s figure is low can usually submit a professional appraisal of the structure for review; ask the building department what it accepts before ordering one.
The threshold in dollars: an illustration
The table below applies the 50 percent arithmetic to three structure values. The values are examples, not estimates for any house; the structure value for a real determination comes from the source the local official accepts.
| Pre-damage market value of the building (land excluded) | Repair cost at which the building is substantially damaged (50%) | What follows at or above the threshold | Rule behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $75,000 | Repairs must bring the whole building into compliance with current flood zone requirements | NFIP; local floodplain ordinance |
| $250,000 | $125,000 | Same; elevation may be required depending on the zone and the lowest floor | NFIP; local floodplain ordinance |
| $400,000 | $200,000 | Same; the NFIP Increased Cost of Compliance benefit, up to $30,000, may apply if the damage was from flood | FEMA ICC |
Increased Cost of Compliance
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) is a benefit in most standard NFIP flood policies that pays up to $30,000 toward elevating, floodproofing, demolishing or relocating a building that the community has declared substantially damaged by flood. ICC is paid in addition to the building claim, but the total payout cannot exceed the program maximum of $250,000 for a residential building, and ICC is not available when the flood damage is less than 50 percent of the building’s market value (FEMA, Increased Cost of Compliance, accessed October 2026).
What the rule means for a sale
- A substantially damaged house sells as a project. The buyer inherits the compliance obligation, so the buyer pool narrows to cash buyers, builders and owners prepared to elevate or rebuild.
- Repair estimates near 50 percent deserve a second look. A determination is based on the cost of restoring the building to its pre-damage condition, using reasonable market costs. A seller whose estimate sits near the line should ask the building department how it calculates the figure before choosing a path.
- Houses outside the SFHA are not subject to the 50 percent flood rule, but the Florida Building Code still governs repairs, including roof replacement rules covered in the series guide on 4-point and wind mitigation reports before you list.
To see where a Port St. Lucie address sits on the FEMA maps, the guide to Port St. Lucie flood zones explains the zones and how to look up a property.
Should you repair, give a credit or sell as is?
Repair first when the damage blocks insurance or financing and the repair is well below the 50 percent threshold; price in or credit the damage when it is cosmetic and the house can still be insured; sell as is when the damage is extensive, the house is substantially damaged, or the seller cannot fund or manage repairs. The right path is the one that reaches the widest buyer pool the seller can afford to reach.
The three paths side by side
| Factor | Repair, then list | List with price adjustment or credit | Sell as is (cash or investor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer pool | Widest: cash, conventional, FHA, VA | Depends on whether remaining damage blocks insurance or appraisal | Narrowest: cash buyers, investors, renovation buyers |
| Insurance for the buyer | Insurable once repairs, permits and reports are complete | Insurable only if the damage is not the kind an insurer declines; confirm with the buyer’s insurance agent | Buyer arranges coverage or buys without a lender requirement |
| Seller’s cash and time | Highest: deductible, contractor costs not covered, months of work | Moderate: price concession or credit at closing | Lowest upfront; the discount is in the price |
| Disclosure | Repair history, permits, claim and flood answers | Damage, estimate, claim status and flood answers | Same duty; as is does not remove disclosure of known latent defects |
| Main risk | Cost overruns, permit delays, a second storm during repairs | Appraisal or underwriting finds the damage unacceptable mid‑contract | Accepting a low offer under time pressure |
| Rule or source | Florida Building Code; local permits; s. 489.127 | Lender credit limits; insurer underwriting | FR/BAR AS IS contract; Johnson v. Davis |
When repairs pay
Repairs tend to pay when the damage is concentrated in items that block insurance, such as a damaged roof, an active leak, wet drywall or a flooded air handler, and the claim covers much of the cost. A house that can move from “uninsurable” to “insurable” with a roof and drywall repair moves from the cash-buyer market into the full market. A new roof also generates a new wind mitigation report, which can lower the buyer’s premium; the series guide on whether impact windows increase home value in Florida covers how documented wind features read to buyers.
When a credit or price adjustment works
A credit or price adjustment works when the remaining damage is visible, contained and does not stop the buyer’s insurer from binding coverage: stained ceilings from a repaired leak, fence or screen enclosure damage, landscaping, or exterior paint. Lenders limit seller credits to defined closing costs and prepaid items, so a credit cannot always pay for repairs directly; a price reduction is the cleaner tool when the buyer will do the work. The series guide on seller concessions in Port St. Lucie explains how credits are structured.
When as is makes sense
Selling as is makes sense when the damage is extensive, when the building is or may be substantially damaged, when the seller has already moved, or when the seller cannot fund the gap between the claim payment and the real repair cost. The AS IS label does not change disclosure: the seller still discloses known latent defects. It changes only who carries the repair work.
Not every cash offer is a fair one. After a storm, owners receive unsolicited offers by mail, text and door hangers. An offer received before the damage is scoped is an offer priced for the buyer’s uncertainty. A seller who gets two or three contractor estimates and a written pricing analysis first can tell a fair as-is offer from a low one.
Jeannie Jacobson, REALTOR® with RE/MAX Gold in Port St. Lucie, Florida, prices a storm-damaged home two ways in her written pricing analysis: as it stands today, and as it would stand after documented repairs. Her pre-listing plan then lists what the gap between those two numbers would cost to close, what the insurance claim covers, and which buyers each version of the house can reach. The seller chooses the path with the numbers in front of them. For owners who are out of state or recovering from the storm themselves, she coordinates access, contractors’ visits and paperwork by phone, email and video, in English and Spanish.
Repairs, credits and contract terms carry legal consequences; for questions about liability or contract language, consult a Florida real estate attorney.
Can you sell a house with an open insurance claim in Florida?
Yes, an open claim does not stop a sale, but it has to be resolved in the contract: either the seller settles and keeps the claim and prices the house for the unrepaired damage, or the parties agree on how proceeds will be handled at closing. Florida’s 2023 ban on assigning post-loss benefits has an exception for a later buyer of the property, but a transfer of the claim still needs careful drafting by an attorney.
Option 1: Settle the claim, then sell
The simplest structure is to finish the claim before listing or before closing. The seller receives the payment, repairs or does not repair, discloses the condition, and prices the house accordingly. This keeps the buyer out of the insurance relationship entirely.
Option 2: Sell with the claim open and keep the proceeds
A seller can sell while the claim is pending and keep any later payment, provided the price reflects the unrepaired damage and the contract says so. The disclosure should state that a claim is open, describe the unrepaired damage and attach the adjuster’s estimate. The buyer then negotiates against a documented condition, not a promise.
Option 3: Transfer the claim or its proceeds to the buyer
For residential property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, s. 627.7152(13), Florida Statutes, provides that a policyholder may not assign, in whole or in part, any post-loss insurance benefit under the policy, except as provided in subsection (11). Subsection (11)(a) states that the section does not apply to an assignment, transfer or conveyance granted to a subsequent purchaser of the property with an insurable interest in the property following a loss (s. 627.7152(11)(a), Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026). The words of that exception describe a buyer who purchases the house after the storm. The statute does not settle how the insurer and any lender named on the claim check handle the transfer, so whether the exception fits your sale, and the assignment and contract language, belong with a Florida real estate attorney. When the parties prefer to keep the buyer out of the claim, a price reduction or a closing credit does the same job.
The mortgage company is usually on the check
When a home has a mortgage, the policy names the lender as mortgagee, and claim checks for the dwelling are usually made payable to both the owner and the lender or its servicer. The servicer typically holds the funds and releases them in stages as repairs are inspected. In a sale, the mortgage is paid off at closing from the sale proceeds, so the title company and the servicer need to agree on what happens to insurance funds the servicer still holds. For a loan held by a mortgagee subject to part II or part III of Chapter 494, Florida Statutes, s. 494.0026 requires the mortgagee to promptly endorse a claim check payable jointly to it and the insured, and to deposit proceeds for damage to the property in a segregated account at a federally insured financial institution (s. 494.0026, Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026). Whether that section covers your loan depends on who holds it, and the mortgage documents set the release process. Ask the servicer, in writing, for the balance of held funds and its release process as soon as you decide to sell, and have a Florida real estate attorney review the answer if the funds are large.
What the buyer will ask
- What was the date of loss, and what did the adjuster’s estimate include?
- Has any payment been made, and how much of it went into repairs?
- Is any supplemental claim or dispute pending?
- Which items in the estimate remain unrepaired?
A seller who can answer those four questions with documents keeps the negotiation about price instead of trust. Contract terms covering insurance proceeds are legal documents; have a Florida real estate attorney draft or review them.
What happens if a hurricane hits after you sign the contract?
Under the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contracts, the seller carries the risk of loss until closing: if storm damage after the effective date costs no more than 1.5% of the purchase price to restore, the seller pays for restoration and closing proceeds; if it costs more, the buyer chooses between taking the house with 1.5% of the price or cancelling with the deposit returned (Florida Realtors, “Hurricanes, Transactions and Contract Clauses,” September 25, 2024).
Risk of loss is the contract term for which party bears the cost if the property is damaged between signing and closing. The FR/BAR contracts place it on the seller in Standard M (Risk of Loss), one of the Standards for Real Estate Transactions grouped under paragraph 18 of the AS IS form, and the cost of restoration includes the cost of pruning or removing damaged trees. If restoration is not finished by closing, a sum equal to 125% of the estimated cost to complete it, not to exceed 1.5% of the purchase price, is escrowed at closing, and any unused part of the escrow goes back to the seller (Florida Realtors/Florida Bar AS IS Residential Contract, form ASIS-7x, updated in 2026, Standard M).
The 1.5% line in dollars
| Purchase price | 1.5% threshold | Example: restoration estimated at $4,000 and unfinished at closing | If restoration exceeds the threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $5,250 | Seller’s obligation; escrow 125% = $5,000 | Buyer takes the house plus $5,250, or cancels and receives the deposit |
| $600,000 | $9,000 | Seller’s obligation; escrow 125% = $5,000 | Buyer takes the house plus $9,000, or cancels and receives the deposit |
| $1,200,000 | $18,000 | Seller’s obligation; escrow 125% = $5,000 | Buyer takes the house plus $18,000, or cancels and receives the deposit |
Source for the rules: Standard M of the current Florida Realtors/Florida Bar AS IS contract (form ASIS-7x, updated in 2026), as also described by Florida Realtors (September 2024) and Williams Parker (July 2026). The dollar figures are arithmetic on the stated percentages.
Force majeure and the closing date
Force majeure is a contract term for events outside either party’s control, such as hurricanes, floods and extreme weather, that prevent performance. Under Standard G, affected time periods, including the closing date, extend for a reasonable time up to 7 days after the force majeure event no longer prevents performance, and either party may terminate, with the deposit refunded to the buyer, if the event prevents performance for more than 30 days beyond the closing date. Insurance is covered by the same rule: paragraph 5(b) of the AS IS contract provides that if a force majeure event makes services essential for closing unavailable, including the issuance of hazard, wind, flood or homeowners’ insurance, the closing date is extended as provided in Standard G (Florida Realtors/Florida Bar AS IS Residential Contract, form ASIS-7x, updated in 2026, paragraph 5(b) and Standard G).
Binding suspensions during named storms
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Insurers can suspend new binding while a storm threatens, which can stop a buyer from obtaining a binder until the storm passes. Citizens, for example, states that agents may not bind applications for new coverage or increased coverage, regardless of effective date, when the National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning for any part of Florida (Citizens, “Citizens Is Under Binding Suspension,” September 27, 2025). Private carriers set their own suspension rules, and the buyer’s insurance agent will know which apply. A buyer who already has a binder may still be asked for a post-storm inspection before the policy starts.
What a seller under contract should do when a storm approaches
Photograph the house before the storm (seller or listing agent, the day shutters go up)
Dated photos of the roof, exterior and interior give everyone a baseline for measuring any new damage.
Secure the property and keep coverage in force (seller)
The seller’s own policy stays in force until closing. Do not cancel it early, and keep shutters, outdoor items and pool equipment secured according to local guidance.
Inspect and document after the storm (seller, listing agent and buyer’s agent)
Walk the property as soon as access is allowed. The FR/BAR contracts require the seller to provide utilities and access for inspections and appraisals, including a walk-through or follow-up walk-through if necessary (Florida Realtors, September 25, 2024).
Get a restoration estimate and compare it to 1.5% (seller with licensed contractor)
The estimate decides which branch of the risk-of-loss standard applies. Share it with the buyer’s agent in writing.
Agree on the new timeline in writing (both parties, through their agents)
Extensions, repairs, escrows and credits should be documented in a signed addendum, not by text message.
Contract provisions are summarized here for general understanding; for how they apply to a specific contract, consult a Florida real estate attorney.
How do you price a storm-damaged house?
Price a storm-damaged house from two numbers: its value as repaired, supported by recent comparable sales, and the documented cost and risk of getting it there. The gap between those numbers, adjusted for the buyer’s time, financing and uncertainty, is the price reduction the market will expect.
A comparative market analysis (CMA) is a listing agent’s comparison of a home with recently sold, pending and active nearby homes to set a list price. After-repair value (ARV) is the estimated market value of a house once the needed repairs are complete, based on comparable sales of repaired or undamaged homes. Investors buying damaged homes work backward from ARV; a seller should too.
The four inputs a damaged-home price needs
- As-repaired value. A CMA built from closed sales of comparable homes in good condition, adjusted for size, age, lot and features.
- Documented repair cost. The adjuster’s estimate and at least two written bids from licensed contractors. A buyer will discount an unknown cost much more than a known one.
- Buyer friction. If the house cannot be insured or financed as it stands, the buyer pool narrows to cash buyers, and that narrower pool prices in its holding costs and risk.
- Regulatory overlay. A house at or near the 50 percent threshold in a flood zone carries the possibility of elevation or rebuilding, which changes the buyer’s math completely.
Why online estimates miss storm damage
Automated value estimates rely on public records and recent sales; they do not see a wet ceiling, a tarped roof or an open claim. A seller who starts from an online figure for a damaged house is starting from a number that assumes no damage. The site’s guide on seller net proceeds in Port St. Lucie shows how to move from a price to the amount that actually reaches the seller after costs.
Appraisals on repaired homes
When a financed buyer purchases a repaired home, the lender’s appraiser values it against comparable sales, and the appraiser will note the repairs if they are visible or disclosed. Permits, final inspections and contractor invoices give the appraiser evidence that the work is complete and done to code. If an appraisal comes in below the contract price anyway, the series guide on low appraisal options for sellers covers the responses available.
Timing after a storm
After a widespread storm, several damaged homes can reach the market in the same area at the same time, and contractors, adjusters and building departments are busiest. A seller who can wait until repairs are complete may face less direct competition from other damaged listings, but also carries the house longer. The Port St. Lucie real estate market guide covers current conditions by area; a written pricing analysis puts those conditions next to your specific damage.
What goes in the listing file for a damaged or repaired home?
The listing file for a storm-affected home should hold the claim documents, the repair and mitigation records, the permits with final inspections, the current insurance reports, the disclosures, and any FEMA or flood-insurance paperwork. A complete file answers the buyer’s agent, the buyer’s insurance agent and the lender’s appraiser before they ask.
The storm-damage listing file
- Dated photos and video of the damage before and after mitigation
- Insurance claim number, date of loss, adjuster’s estimate and payment letters
- Mitigation invoices (water extraction, drying, tarping) and moisture readings at completion
- Mold assessment and post-remediation clearance from licensed professionals, if mold was involved
- Contractor contracts and invoices, with each contractor’s Florida license number
- Building permits with final inspection dates for every permitted repair
- A new wind mitigation report after any roof, window or door work, and a 4-point inspection for older homes
- The s. 689.302 flood disclosure, the seller’s property disclosure, the flood zone and any flood policy declarations
- FEMA or other disaster assistance letters, and the written flood insurance notice described below if it applies
- A one-page cover sheet: what happened, what was done, by whom, and what remains
The FEMA flood insurance notice most sellers have never heard of
Federal law adds a duty for owners who received federal flood disaster assistance that was conditioned on buying flood insurance. Under 42 U.S.C. 5154a(b), a person who received that assistance and transfers the property must, not later than the date of transfer, notify the transferee in writing of the requirement to obtain flood insurance if the property is not insured and to maintain it, and the notice must be contained in the documents evidencing the transfer of ownership. If the seller fails to give the notice, the buyer later fails to keep flood insurance, and the property is damaged and receives federal disaster relief, the seller must reimburse the federal government for that assistance (42 U.S.C. 5154a(b)(2), accessed October 2026).
The practical step is simple: if you received FEMA assistance for flood damage, check your award letters for a flood insurance requirement, tell your listing agent and closing agent, and make sure the written notice goes into the closing documents. The same assistance is also a “yes” answer on the s. 689.302 flood disclosure.
Open permits from storm repairs
An open permit is a building permit that was issued but never received a final inspection. Storm repairs are a common source, because the contractor finishes the work and moves on to the next job before calling for the final. The buyer’s municipal lien search will find it. The series guide on open permits when selling a house in Florida explains how to close one, including with a new contractor.
For a broader set of seller checklists and forms, see seller resources. If the buyer’s inspection still produces a repair request after you share the file, the series guide on repair requests after the home inspection covers how to respond.
Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County: which offices and rules apply after a storm?
In Port St. Lucie, Florida, repair permits and permit history for homes inside city limits come from the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department, which publishes permit records through its online “Search Permits on a Property” tool at pandapublicweb.cityofpsl.com; homes in unincorporated St. Lucie County are permitted by St. Lucie County, and homes in Fort Pierce by the City of Fort Pierce. Each office also handles substantial damage questions for its own jurisdiction.
Recent storms on the Treasure Coast
Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on Florida’s west coast in October 2024, also affected the Treasure Coast. The major disaster declaration for Hurricane Milton, FEMA-4834-DR, dated October 11, 2024, designated St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Palm Beach counties, among many others, for Individual Assistance (FEMA notice in the Federal Register, December 6, 2024). A seller who received assistance under that declaration should check the award letters for a flood insurance requirement before selling, as section 9 explains.
Flood zones and the city’s flood program
The City of Port St. Lucie participates in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS), a FEMA program that discounts flood insurance premiums in communities that exceed minimum floodplain standards. The city reports that it holds CRS Class 5, which brings a 10% to 25% discount on flood insurance premium renewals for residents (City of Port St. Lucie, April 27, 2026). For a seller of a canal-front or low-lying home with a past water event, that discount is a factual point to share with buyers who are pricing flood coverage; the guide to flood insurance in Port St. Lucie explains how buyers price that coverage.
What to pull for a Port St. Lucie or St. Lucie County house
- Permit history from the issuing building department, including every storm-repair permit and its final inspection.
- Year built and building value from the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser record. The building value is one of the figures a floodplain administrator may consider in a 50 percent review.
- Flood zone from the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and any elevation certificate on file.
- Post-storm permitting guidance from St. Lucie County’s Guidelines for Permitting Post-Storm or Disaster page for unincorporated properties.
Local patterns on Treasure Coast damage claims
Port St. Lucie streets often mix homes of different ages, roof types and permit histories, so two houses side by side can come out of the same storm with very different files. A 2004-era shingle roof with a partial storm repair and a 2019 roof with full secondary water resistance will read very differently to a buyer’s insurer. A seller with an older roof should also read selling a great Port St. Lucie house with an older roof, which covers the replace-or-price decision in detail.
For Martin County (Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach) and Indian River County (Vero Beach), the same structure applies: the county or city building department that issues permits for the address handles storm-repair permits and substantial damage questions, and the county property appraiser holds the building value. For Jeannie Jacobson’s broader approach to selling a home in Port St. Lucie, start at the Port St. Lucie seller page.
Palm Beach County: what changes for sellers of storm-damaged homes?
In Palm Beach County, the statewide rules are the same, but the permitting and floodplain offices are split: the county’s Flood Damage Ordinance, in Article 18 of the Unified Land Development Code, covers unincorporated areas, while homes in cities such as West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington are governed by each city’s own building department and floodplain rules.
Palm Beach County’s Office of Emergency Management summarizes the county rule this way: substantially improved structures are those where the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building’s market value, and they must meet the same elevation requirements as new structures (Palm Beach County OEM, Floodplain Regulations, accessed October 2026). The county directs owners to its Planning, Zoning and Building Department flood information page for flood zone questions.
Single-family homes near the coast and the Intracoastal
Older single-family homes in coastal and Intracoastal neighborhoods of Palm Beach County are more likely to sit in an SFHA and to have lowest floors below current requirements. For those houses, the 50 percent determination is often the most important number in the sale. A seller should ask the city’s floodplain administrator, before signing a repair contract, whether a determination has been made and what valuation source the city accepts.
Condominium sellers
In a condominium, the association typically insures and repairs the building, roof and common elements, while the unit owner insures the interior. After a storm, a condo seller needs the association’s damage status, its repair timeline and any special assessment voted or proposed, because buyers and lenders will ask for all three. A special assessment is a charge levied by an association, in addition to regular dues, to pay for a specific expense such as storm repairs. For buildings also subject to Florida’s milestone inspection and reserve study laws, the series guide on selling a condo after the milestone inspection covers the building documents buyers review.
Where to start in Palm Beach County
- Confirm which office issued the original permits for the address: the county for unincorporated areas, or the city.
- Pull the building value from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser record.
- Check the flood zone on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and the county’s flood information page.
- Ask the city or county floodplain office how it handles substantial damage reviews and whether, and over what period, it counts earlier permits.
West Palm Beach sellers can review the West Palm Beach seller guide, and owners anywhere in the region can start with home seller representation across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County.
Property taxes, FEMA aid and tax basis: what should you settle before closing?
Before closing on a storm-affected home, settle three money questions: whether you qualify for Florida’s property tax refund for a home made uninhabitable by a catastrophic event, whether FEMA assistance created a flood insurance notice duty, and how insurance payments and repairs change your tax basis for any capital gain. Each one is easier to handle before the deed transfers.
The property tax refund for an uninhabitable home
Florida law provides a partial refund of property taxes when a residential improvement is made uninhabitable by a catastrophic event (s. 197.319, Florida Statutes, accessed October 2026). Under the statute, uninhabitable means the loss of use and occupancy of a residential improvement for at least 30 days because of damage, destruction or structural compromise caused by the event. The refund applies to homestead and non-homestead residential dwellings, covers the dwelling structure but not land, detached buildings or pools, and applies only to taxes levied and paid for the year in which the event occurred. The application is due to the property appraiser by March 1 of the year after the event, with late applications possible in limited circumstances.
The refund is computed from a damage differential: the percent change in the improvement’s value multiplied by the number of uninhabitable days divided by 365, applied to the taxes paid for that year. The property appraiser reviews the application and notifies the tax collector, who processes the refund. In St. Lucie County that means the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector; in Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector. The statute has the property owner file the application, and it does not say what happens to the refund when the home is sold before the refund is paid. If you are selling in that window, file on time, tell the closing agent, and agree in the contract on who receives the refund.
Tax basis and capital gains
For federal income tax purposes, insurance reimbursements for a casualty loss and any deductible casualty loss reduce a home’s basis, while amounts spent restoring damaged property increase it (IRS Publication 551, Basis of Assets, accessed October 2026). Basis is the amount used to measure gain or loss when a home is sold. IRS Publication 547 covers casualty and disaster losses, including losses in federally declared disaster areas. The combination of a claim payment, repairs and a sale in the same year or two can change the gain on the sale, and the Section 121 exclusion for a main home may cover some or all of it. The series guide on capital gains tax when selling a home in Florida explains the exclusion. For how a casualty, insurance payment and sale interact on your own return, consult a CPA.
FEMA assistance and the closing documents
If federal flood disaster assistance came with a requirement to buy flood insurance, the written notice under 42 U.S.C. 5154a(b) belongs in the transfer documents, as described in section 9. Give the award letter to the closing agent early so the notice is prepared, not discovered at the closing table.
A pre-closing money checklist
- Claim status confirmed in writing, including any supplemental claim and any funds held by the mortgage servicer.
- Payoff letter that reflects insurance funds held, if any.
- Property tax refund application filed by March 1 if eligible, and the contract addresses who receives it.
- FEMA award letters reviewed for a flood insurance requirement; written notice prepared if required.
- Repair receipts organized for your CPA’s basis calculation.
Tax and federal-assistance rules are summarized here for general understanding; consult a CPA for tax questions and a Florida real estate attorney for contract and notice requirements.
What Sellers Say About Working With Jeannie Jacobson
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Jeannie – we were on a tight timeframe to get to market and she accommodated us without hesitation. She provided feedback on the property and recommended a price that was reasonable for the market. She was very communicative throughout the process as we are from TN. she worked with the outside contractors to ensure necessary fixes were performed as needed.”
— Rob H · Boca Raton, FL · March 10, 2022 · Verified review
“…As stressful as real estate can be, she made it all a breeze. She showed the utmost integrity and compassion throughout an emotional sale. Jeannie has exceptional experience, knowledge, and patience. She is very communicative, honest, and realistic, but she also listens and is willing to put in the effort and work for what YOU want!…”
— Tonia Rossano · 31 May 2025 · Google review
“…As a first time home seller, I had tons of questions about the process, and concerns about the market. Through Jeannie I felt like my opinions were validated and respected. Through every step of the way Jeannie has showed unwavering professionalism and dedication.…”
— Daniel Derks · 22 Oct 2024 · Google review
This article is general information about selling storm- or water-damaged homes in Florida, current as of October 2026. It is not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Insurance policies, claim rules, floodplain determinations and contract forms differ by carrier, jurisdiction and version and change often; confirm requirements with your insurer, a licensed Florida insurance agent and your local building department, consult a Florida real estate attorney about disclosure, contracts, insurance proceeds and notices, and consult a CPA about taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, yes. Florida requires sellers to disclose known facts that materially affect value and are not readily observable, under Johnson v. Davis (1985). The statutory flood disclosure in s. 689.302 also asks whether flooding damaged the home during your ownership, whether you filed a flood claim and whether you received flood assistance, regardless of repairs. Disclose the repair with permits and invoices attached.
Yes. An open claim does not stop a sale, but the contract must say how it is handled. Sellers usually settle the claim first, or sell with the claim open, keep any later payment and price the house for the unrepaired damage. Florida’s ban on assigning post-loss benefits under policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 exempts a transfer to a later buyer of the property, but have a Florida attorney draft any transfer of a claim to a buyer.
That depends on the contract and on the mortgage. If the house has a mortgage, claim checks are usually payable to the owner and the lender, and the servicer may hold funds until repairs are inspected. In a sale, the seller and buyer decide in writing whether the seller keeps the proceeds and lowers the price or the buyer receives a credit. A Florida real estate attorney should draft that language.
The FEMA 50 percent rule applies to buildings in a Special Flood Hazard Area. When the cost to restore a damaged building equals or exceeds 50 percent of its pre-damage market value, land excluded, the building is substantially damaged and must meet current floodplain requirements when repaired, which can mean elevation. The local building official or floodplain administrator makes the determination, not FEMA.
Only if the buyer can insure it and the appraisal supports the price. Lenders require a homeowners insurance binder, and insurers underwrite the house as it stands at closing. Unrepaired damage can keep a carrier, including Citizens, from writing a new policy, so the buyer’s insurance agent should confirm eligibility early. Cosmetic damage may be acceptable; an active roof leak or open walls usually is not until repaired.
Selling as is to a cash buyer fits when damage is extensive, the house may be substantially damaged, or you cannot fund or manage repairs. Before accepting, get the damage scoped with contractor estimates and a written pricing analysis showing the as-repaired value. As is does not remove your duty to disclose known latent defects; it only means you will not make repairs.
Under the FR/BAR contracts the seller carries the risk of loss until closing. If restoring the damage costs no more than 1.5% of the purchase price, the seller pays and closing proceeds, with 125% of any unfinished cost held in escrow. If it costs more, the buyer can take the house plus 1.5% of the price or cancel and recover the deposit.
Notice of a new or reopened property insurance claim must be given to the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months, under s. 627.70132, Florida Statutes. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the date the hurricane made landfall. Give notice as early as possible, especially if you may sell the home.
Possibly. Section 197.319, Florida Statutes, provides a partial refund of the year’s property taxes on a residential dwelling made uninhabitable for at least 30 days by a catastrophic event. The application goes to the county property appraiser by March 1 of the following year. The refund covers the dwelling only, not land or pools. If you are selling, agree in the contract on who receives it.
For flood damage, yes. The s. 689.302 flood disclosure asks whether you received assistance for flood damage, including from FEMA. Separately, if federal flood assistance required you to buy flood insurance, 42 U.S.C. 5154a requires written notice to the buyer in the transfer documents; skipping it can make you liable to reimburse later federal disaster aid on the property.
No, not under the statute’s definition. Section 689.302 defines flooding as inundation from overflowing inland or tidal waters, unusual rapid runoff, or sustained standing water from rainfall. Rain entering through a storm-damaged roof is not on that list, but it can still be a material fact you must disclose under Johnson v. Davis, and most seller disclosure forms ask about roof leaks separately.
See Both Prices Before You Decide What to Do With the House
A damaged home has two values: as it stands and as repaired. Request a free home valuation and a written pre-listing plan that sets both numbers next to your repair costs, your claim and the buyers each version can reach, for your Port St. Lucie, Treasure Coast or Palm Beach County home.
Jeannie Jacobson, REALTOR® · RE/MAX Gold · (772) 877-0268 · English and Spanish
Sources
- Florida Statutes s. 627.70132, Notice of property insurance claim — http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.70132.html (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Statutes s. 627.7152, Assignment agreements — http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.7152.html (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Statutes s. 689.302, Disclosure of flood risks to prospective purchaser (ch. 2024-215; ch. 2025-166) — http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0689/Sections/0689.302.html (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Statutes s. 489.127, Prohibitions; penalties (contracting) — http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.127.html (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Statutes s. 197.319, Refunds of taxes for residential improvements rendered uninhabitable by a catastrophic event — http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0100-0199/0197/Sections/0197.319.html (accessed October 2026)
- 42 U.S.C. 5154a, Prohibited flood disaster assistance; duty to notify transferees — https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/5154a (accessed October 2026)
- Johnson v. Davis, 480 So. 2d 625 (Fla. 1985)
- FEMA, “Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)” — https://www.fema.gov/faq/increased-cost-compliance-icc (accessed October 2026)
- FEMA, Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference (FEMA P-758) — https://www.fema.gov (accessed October 2026)
- FEMA, DR-4834-FL Florida Hurricane Milton — https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4834 (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Realtors, “Hurricanes, Transactions and Contract Clauses,” Joel Maxson, September 25, 2024 — https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2022/09/legal-hurricanes-transactions-and-contract-clauses (accessed October 2026)
- Williams Parker (Sarah Ferlazzo, Esq.), “When Disaster Strikes Before Closing: Understanding Risk of Loss and Force Majeure in the FR/BAR Contracts,” July 10, 2026 — https://www.myrasm.com/blog/2026/07/10/member-news/when-disaster-strikes-before-closing-understanding-risk-of-loss-and-force-majeure-in-the-fr-bar-contracts/ (accessed October 2026)
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, “Underwriting Rule Changes,” June 30, 2023 — https://citizensfla.com/-/20230630-underwriting-rule-changes (accessed October 2026)
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, “Citizens Is Under Binding Suspension,” September 27, 2025 — https://www.citizensfla.com/-/20250927-citizens-is-under-binding-suspension (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Realtors/Florida Bar, AS IS Residential Contract for Sale and Purchase (FloridaRealtors/FloridaBar-ASIS-7x), 2026 redline: paragraph 5(b), paragraph 18 Standards G and M — https://www.floridarealtors.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/AS%20IS%20Residential%20Contract%20for%20Sale%20and%20Purchase%20(FloridaRealtors-FloridaBar-ASIS-7x)_Redlined[1].pdf (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Statutes s. 494.0026, Disposition of insurance proceeds — https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/494.0026 (accessed October 2026)
- FEMA, “Florida; Major Disaster and Related Determinations” (FEMA-4834-DR), Federal Register, December 6, 2024 — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-12-06/html/2024-28680.htm (accessed October 2026)
- City of Port St. Lucie, Building Permits, Fees and Checklists (“Search Permits on a Property”) — https://www.cityofpsl.com/Residents/Services/Building-Permits-Fees-and-Checklists (accessed October 2026)
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Mold-Related Services FAQs — https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/mold-related-services/faqs/ (accessed October 2026)
- St. Lucie County, Guidelines for Permitting Post-Storm or Disaster — https://www.stlucieco.gov/departments-and-services/planning-and-development/permitting/permit-applications/guidelines-for-permitting-post-storm-or-disaster (accessed October 2026)
- Palm Beach County Office of Emergency Management, Floodplain Regulations — https://discover.pbc.gov/oem/Flood/Floodplain-Regulations.aspx (accessed October 2026)
- Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code, Article 18, Flood Damage Prevention — https://pbc.gov/uldc/pdf/Article18.pdf (accessed October 2026)
- City of Port St. Lucie, “Access your essential flood reports: Stay informed and protected,” April 27, 2026 — https://www.cityofpsl.com/News-Stories/2026/Access-your-essential-flood-reports-Stay-informed-and-protected (accessed October 2026)
- IRS Publication 551, Basis of Assets — https://www.irs.gov/publications/p551 (accessed October 2026)
- IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters, and Thefts — https://www.irs.gov/publications/p547 (accessed October 2026)