Elevation Certificates

If you are buying an older Miami home, or even a new construction Miami home, you need to ensure that the home has a proper elevation certificate. Homes and home sites in Florida must be above a certain elevation in order to secure a building permit. If you are substantially renovating your home you'll be required to provide this certificate as well.

If you don't have a valid elevation certificate, or if your home is below the required elevation, you may be put into a precarious financial position if your home is flooded. If you are in a flood zone and your home is damaged such that it loses more that 50% of its assessed value, if you try to collect on your flood insurance policy and your home does not have an elevation certificate, it will have to be raised before it can even be repaired.