The next time you are looking for a home, make sure you check and make sure the house isn’t in a flood zone.
You might be surprised to discover that there are flood zones throughout the St. Louis area. Our region seems to be peppered with creeks which are often dry except during the spring rains. But, when we get tons of rain, they will not only fill up, but can spill over into the adjacent land…and nearby homes.
Take a look at the maps below of Ballwin and University City. These maps show just 2 of the areas that have plenty of homes in flood zones even though they are nowhere near the Missouri or Mississippi Rivers.
University City:
Ballwin:
Is this a big deal?
We’ve had had two 100 year floods in the last 35 years. One in 1973 and again 20 years later in 1993. Maybe it will be another 100 years before the next flood, but there’s no guarantee.
So, if you opt to buy a house that is in a flood plain, plan on paying federal flood insurance. And, expect it to take a while when you get ready to sell since most buyers will walk away from a contract when they realize a house is in a flood zone.
An experienced real estate agent can check for you before you make an offer on a home to make sure it isn’t in a flood plain. This is just one of many things your buyer’s agent should be checking on for you as you search for your dream home. If you are ready to start looking for a home, contact me to discuss how I can assist you.
PDF Possibly Related Posts:
- Home Buyer Report – Best Buys in St. Louis South City
- St. Louis Neighborhood Guide
- Buyers Need to Check the Flood Zone Status of a Home BEFORE Making an Offer
- Sometimes a Buyer Should Walk Away (Part 1)
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