It looks like we hear about floods happening here and there more often. That is why buying a house today, you should not ask, "can this house get flooded?" but think about when and how severely it will get flooded. And if we are talking about a property located in a flood zone, the efficiency of flood control will basically determine whether you invest your money in a prosperous estate or flunk it down an ultimate money pit.
In this article, we shall talk about all the things you have to consider buying a house in a flood zone and how to make sure that you will live happily ever after in your new dream castle.
What is a flood zone?
Some may tell you that a flood zone is an area that can get flooded. It is not entirely true. If you follow the latest trends and news about flooding, you will understand that any place can get flooded at some point.
A townhouse in the suburbs is as likely to become a victim of a massive flood as a place located in an urban area or a farm next to a river.
Therefore, national agencies usually distinguish between the risks of flooding based on the previous statistics and situations in similar terrain. In other words, any property will get flooded at some point. The question is when exactly.
To get more information, you need to address Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website. Here you will find a constantly updated map of flood zones all over the country.
FEMA distinguishes between two types of flood zones:
Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) - These areas have one in two chances of flooding. Buying a house in a flood zone, in this case, will mean that you automatically have to get flood insurance.
Non-Special Flood Hazard Area (NSFHA) - those are the flood zones with a low to moderate flood risk. In most cases, it means that major flooding is unlikely to occur in the area during a 30-year mortgage period. However, once you are getting a government-backed mortgage, such as from the Veteran Affairs or the United States Department of Agriculture, you may need to get flood insurance anyway if you purchase a house in a flood zone.
Are there any benefits of buying in a flood zone?
In fact, there are at least 2 obvious benefits of buying a property in a flood zone.
The first one is that you purchase a highly prosperous estate. Not only is it usually a waterfront property located in a picturesque landscape. Many people dream about living in such a place or at least spending their vacation there.
In other words, you can easily get profits from your waterfront property if you choose to turn it into a rental.
In case you need to sell your flood zone house, you may also be surprised how fast and easy the deal will be compared to any urban housing. As we have already mentioned, there are thousands of people who want to live in a waterfront house. Therefore, you will not have any problem putting it on the market even if the house itself is not in the best condition.
Another benefit is the price. While the demand for waterfront houses remains fairly high, the flood zone location still holds prices at a reasonable level. If you choose a house in a remote place, the price will be more than acceptable, and you still won't have any problem selling it someday.
Things to look for in a flood zone house.
In most states seller is legally obliged to disclose any possible risks and history of the property. Flooding history is one of those things they absolutely have to tell you about. Otherwise, you can sew the seller if you discover that the house went through flooding before.
However, in some states, sellers are not obliged to tell you about flood events that happened in the area before. In this case, it is always best to invite a professional and conduct a full inspection of the property.
You are looking for flood damage. Any kind of flood damage. From stains and color peeling to a showing of mold and possible damage to the building's structure.
Even the smallest sign of water damage may indicate that a house may turn into an ultimate pitfall as the cracks and mold often become a never-ending story.
What to do after you bought a house in a flood zone?
Let's assume you found your dream house and bought it. You have assumed and considered all the risks and made a truly informed decision about your purchase.
Is it all? Not really. Most probably, you want to live in your waterfront dreamhouse happily ever after, make sure that your family is safe there and that your belongings are secured from mold and other water damage consequences.
If you are planning to rent the house for the long term or list it as a vacation place, you don't want to deal with lawsuits and losses that may occur if your tenants become victims of floods on your property.
That is why the first thing you need to think about buying a house in a flood zone is the flood control solution you are planning to use.
There is no lack of different devices and anti-flooding products on the modern market. From the good old sandbagging to innovative multiuse solutions - the private flood control market seems to offer something new every year.
Here are the things you want from your efficient flood control:
- Simplicity
- low maintenance
- versatility
- efficiency.
Modern flood barriers easily fit any door or passage. You can connect several to create a 3-foot dike and protect your garage or basement gate, tool shed, swimming pool, etc.
No need to address professionals and spend money on installation. Just in several minutes, you will deploy your efficient flood barrier and ensure the safety of your flood zone house during and after the disaster.
The efficiency of our flood barriers has been tested by numerous independent labs and is proven by hundreds of positive reviews from home and business owners all over the world.
Contact Dam Easy now and learn about flood barriers and other modern anti-flooding solutions that will minimize your risks and keep you safe and sound during the next flood season and for many years after.
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