Homeowners insurance in Pass Christian, MS (Jackson, Ocean Springs: for sale by owner, rental, brokers)

[msumom]

We are thinking of relocating to the Mississippi Gulf coast. Is homeowners insurance even available? I know if it is available it will be very expensive, but does one county have lower rates than others?
We want to purchase a home now while it is a buyer's market and use it as rental property for the next 4 years when we will retire to the coast. We love the Pass Christian area and we know the area will come back, eventually.
Thanks for any information

[DB3]

I saw no one answered so I figured I'd give you what I know, even though it's not specific to Pass Christian. I live in Jackson County in Ocean Springs, the next county east of Harrison County (where Pass Christian is). I live "south of the railroad tracks," less than a mile from the Gulf in a home that's worth about $225K. I'm in the newly created flood zone X and my home did not flood during Katrina.

My insurance renewal this year with wind coverage was about $2K with a deductible of $3K in the event of a named storm. I was expecting it to be much worse as I've had neighbors tell me stories of friends who were dropped post-Katrina by their insurers and had to go to the wind pool and are now paying as much as $5K per year in my same neighborhood.

But I don't have first-hand knowledge of whether or not the $5K-plus rates really exist on private homes (rental properties will carry a higher rate, as I'm sure you already are aware) and I also don't know whether Harrison County rates are worse than Jackson County, but if they are I can't imagine it would be by much.

I guess if you figure on one to two percent of the value of your home you'd probably be in the right ballpark as far as the rates.

Hope this is helpful.

[msumom]

Thanks for the info, I'm still doing my homework.

[blueridgemama]

We are buying in P.C. We were quoted $3300 per year for home and flood insurance. The house is south of I-10, but just barely. Above I-10 is supposed to be cheaper. Also, the home is valued at $260K.

[MSmom3]

My husband and I have just listed our MS gulf coast home for sale by owner, although Brokers ARE Protected should they bring us a buyer. Anyone interested?

[MSmom3]

Check out owners.com for a look at our home. It is for sale by owner, and sounds like what you are looking for. Go to zip code: 39560. price range set to min. 250k - 275k max., and there she is. 22020 Episcopal School Rd. Offered at 260K, however, we want to see all reasonable offers.