Key Colony Beach

If you’re thinking about purchasing a property in Key Colony Beach, it’s important to be aware of the construction of older buildings in the area.

Key Colony Beach offers several ground-level half duplexes for purchase. However it is worth noting that many of these duplexes were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s when building codes were quite different from what they are today.

When considering these older buildings, it’s essential to do your due diligence and understand the potential implications of their construction.

History of Key Colony Beach

The transformation of Shelter Key, one of the Fat Deer Keys, into the City of Key Colony Beach was a remarkable feat of engineering. Originally spanning across 97 acres of low-lying land with a sandy beach on the ocean side, the island was prone to flooding during high tides. However, in the early 1950s, Phil Sadowski took on the ambitious task of building an island city.

Using a pair of dredges that worked tirelessly around the clock, Sadowski pumped vast amounts of sand to expand. Over time, the island grew. Sadowski even went a step further by purchasing the ocean bottom. This sand was dredged and pumped to serve as the final fill for most of the island.

Once the fill was solid, the dredges began cutting canals into the island, using the material from the canals as additional fill. This process raised the island to an elevation above sea level.

Construction

In the 1960s and 1970s, when most of the half duplexes in Key Colony Beach were built, contractors would use pin piles around the perimeter of the homes but the concrete slab in the middle were pour directly on the ground. As Key Colony Beach was built on fill, it has been observed over time that these slabs are prone to settlement issues. As the fill settles over time, it can cause the concrete slabs to sink or shift, resulting in structure issues with the flooring.

It’s important to be aware of this aspect when considering older properties in Key Colony Beach and to seek expert advice from qualified inspectors or contractors to assess the condition of the concrete slabs and any potential impact on the property’s stability. Appropriate measures may need to be taken, such as foundation repairs or reinforcement, to ensure the safety and longevity of the property.

Property Permits

To ensure a smooth property purchase in Key Colony Beach, it is advisable to have your real estate agent go the extra mile by not only checking for open or expired permits, but also obtaining records of them. This way, you can gain access to information about past repairs made by the seller, including foundation repairs for settlement issues, which may not have been apparent otherwise. Obtaining permit records can be a valuable step in the property purchasing process.

Local Resources :

City of Key Colony Beach

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