Homes in SW Orlando are either built with concrete block construction or wood frame construction. Many buyers prefer concrete block construction but is this preference valid?

Actually, wood frame construction is more labor intensive and requires more skill with framing and trim work. It also provides better insulation and you don’t get those pesky settlement cracks that you get with concrete block construction. Virtually all concrete block homes have them or will get them eventually because the ground in these parts are porous and sandy.

The climate in Dr. Phillips and Windermere is plain hot and muggy. It’s the perfect environment for termites, old house borers, wood decay fungi, powder post beetles, etc.. So it can pose a problem for anything made of wood that’s exposed to the elements.

Home buyers that come from outside of the area fear alligators and termites. I’ve been living in Florida so long that to me these things are just a part of life.

These things can be a problem but it’s not a problem most of the time. I’ve never personally witnessed an alligator attack and neither has anyone I know besides what we see on the news. I’ve also only witnessed people losing their home to termites on the news. It happens but it’s pretty rare.

Insurance companies fear termites too and will charge you a higher rate if your home is wood frame construction but not much more.

Some buyers speak of homes with wood frame construction like the plague and it’s just not true. You’ll probably want some type of regular termite treatment like Termidor or Sentricon but that’s it.

Homes with wood frame construction are just as good as concrete block homes in my opinion so let’s dispel the urban myth right here.