Inherited, Unpermitted, and Unsafe on SW 10th Street
How we helped an out-of-state owner navigate City of Miami code violations, mounting fines, and "Unsafe Structure" notices—closing in just 21 days.
Project Lead: Max Cohen
Licensed General Contractor
Actual photo from the property intake
Location
Little Havana
Issue
Code Violations
Condition
Unsafe / Gut Job
Result
Sold in 21 Days
The Challenge: A Legacy of Neglect
When Sofia M. inherited her great-aunt's home, she inherited a headache. Originally a modest 1948 structure, the property had been subjected to decades of "DIY" additions. A garage conversion, a makeshift kitchen, and haphazard partitions were all built without a single permit.
The house was literally cracking under the pressure. The roof was rusted through, vines were growing into the foundation, and the City of Miami had slapped "Unsafe Structure" violations on the windows.
Structural cracks and vegetation damaging the exterior.
The porch and roof were in critical condition.
Behind the Walls: Major System Failures
It wasn't just cosmetic. The "guts" of the house were dangerous. During our inspection, we found:
- Fire Hazards: Old outlets showing burn marks and non-compliant wiring.
- Plumbing Failures: Corroded galvanized pipes held together with rubber clamps.
- HVAC: An ancient, rusted water heater that was long past its expiration date.
Interior Conditions: Unfinished and Deteriorating
The interior was a mix of stalled renovation projects and water damage. From moldy ceilings to bathrooms with holes in the wall where tiles should be, the property was completely unlivable. Sofia didn't have the tens of thousands of dollars needed to make this market-ready.
The Solution: A Fair Cash Offer
Unlike a traditional buyer who would run away from these inspection photos, FL Home Buyers ran toward the problem. We are licensed General Contractors. We understood exactly what it would cost to demolish the unpermitted additions, rewire the house, and bring it up to Miami code.
We made Sofia a cash offer that factored in these repairs, taking the risk completely off her shoulders.
"Max made this easy. We were drowning in fines and didn't know where to turn. FL Home Buyers took all the stress away."
— Sofia M., Seller
Do You Have a Problem Property in Miami?
Code violations? Unfinished construction? Inherited stress? We buy houses exactly like the one on SW 10th Street.