Homeowners/Flood Insurance in Venice Unbelievable

[stumble]

We are in a similar boat. New construction spec home, with a survey which indicated flood zone X, which is fine with us, but FEMA and the mortgage company have it as a zone A with Flood insurance required. This was not disclosed by the builder. No LOMA or LOMC had even been applied for. Still waiting for a resolution.

[Harbor Hopper]

Originally Posted by stumble

We are in a similar boat. New construction spec home, with a survey which indicated flood zone X, which is fine with us, but FEMA and the mortgage company have it as a zone A with Flood insurance required. This was not disclosed by the builder. No LOMA or LOMC had even been applied for. Still waiting for a resolution.

Don't wait for them to give you an answer. Find it in 30 seconds here: https://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stor...0001&langId=-1

[bbronston]

Originally Posted by stumble

We are in a similar boat. New construction spec home, with a survey which indicated flood zone X, which is fine with us, but FEMA and the mortgage company have it as a zone A with Flood insurance required. This was not disclosed by the builder. No LOMA or LOMC had even been applied for. Still waiting for a resolution.

I wonder if the unimproved land was zone A originally but once the land was developed and the fill was added, the survey now correctly shows it as X? If not, was the survey provided by the builder or did you or your lender have it done?

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Florida DEM Disaster Preparedness Maps

Use this flood mapping tool. It came out a few months age. It is pretty amazing . you can tell if the lot is in 2 or more zones.

The new mapping seems significantly different from the old. Using the old 1964 maps, significant parts of the section between Orange and Osprey were in flood zone A. Now much more of that section is B and more in C. .

Also if there is a survey, it could be a copy of a really old one That survey may have done before elevation technology became more sophisticated. Also probably the technology to predict wave action is better. It is the high velocity waves (v zones) that are so bad. Poor drainage can increase risk that is not related to elevation. It could have been in B (x) based on elevation, but have been moved to A for drainage issues.

I applaud you for become conscious about this issue.

[stumble]

Originally Posted by bbronston

I wonder if the unimproved land was zone A originally but once the land was developed and the fill was added, the survey now correctly shows it as X? If not, was the survey provided by the builder or did you or your lender have it done?

Survey shows X. FEMA map shows A. LOMC-F was never initiated by builder, so Flood insurance still required. This was not disclosed by the builder, it was indicated as Zone X..

[RhysNJ]

For anyone not familiar with what those letters mean, it is explained here, along with how to request one online.

Letter of Map Amendment and Letter of Map Revision

Rhys

[loves2read]

We applied for and received a letter of map amendment when FEMA maps were updated in Tarrant county TX and showed our attached garage was in flood zone..
got local survey company to do new elevation certificate and apply for letter of map amendment--
wasn't cheap (about $400 maybe if I remember correctly) but better than having a house in a flood zone...
new elevation survey showed rear corner of backyard (next to overflow creek dry most of the time) was like 1/2 inch lower than rest of the yard and it was in flood zone--
but didn't matter as long as it wasn't the house proper...

we later sold that house within 30 days of going on market...
no problems for buyer since house not in flood zone...

[buddy825]

Originally Posted by D-Rak

Yes we paid cash and the flood zone is A-E .... Wish we knew this before ! The price we will pay for not looking into this is unfortunate for us !

Guess people missed your message, if you paid cash you do not have to carry flood insurance if you don't wish to, flood insurance is required on houses that have a mortgage

[Sunshine Rules]

Originally Posted by buddy825

Guess people missed your message, if you paid cash you do not have to carry flood insurance if you don't wish to, flood insurance is required on houses that have a mortgage

People who own their homes outright do not have to carry flood insurance. However, when that homeowner decides to sell that home down the road, the fact that it is located within a flood zone may have an impact on potential buyers. Especially as buyers become more educated on the changes to the national flood insurance program, including rates.