Earlier in the month, we talked about simple steps you can take to prep for Florida’s hurricane season. With the storm season beginning, there’s plenty of talk about weather already. This is especially true since we saw the first named storm of the season just last week. And while that storm system turned out to be relatively mild, few residents have forgotten last year’s scare from Irma.

Of course, if you’re thinking about buying a property in Southwest Florida, you might have a few concerns on this topic. After all, knowing how to prep for a storm is one thing… understanding Florida’s extreme weather is another. So, today, I wanted to bring a little perspective to the conversation as your source for everything SWFL!

What are the chances of a direct hit?

This is probably one of the biggest questions I get when it comes to Florida weather. After all, if you check the news, you might have a difficult time assessing just how often any one area gets a direct hit. And obviously, those are the events to be more concerned about. Yet, the chances are fairly low, especially once you factor out areas with higher chances in the state. Still, I caution being prepared, but without panic.

What about flood and hurricane insurance?

You might also be surprised to find out that like many areas of the country, Florida has differing flood and storm zones. Now, for Southwest Florida properties, I always recommend getting flood and hurricane insurance, even if it’s optional. However, for each property, you can research how an extreme weather event might affect it.

What can be done to protect my SWFL property?

Since Hurricane Andrew many years ago, the construction industry throughout Florida has changed their approach. Today, you can find homes, even older homes, fitted with storm-proof items that protect the roof, windows, and more. In fact, it’s becoming more and more common to see homes upgrading their windows to impact-resistant ones. There are numerous steps you can take to better safeguard your property.

Do Floridians really wait until the last second to prepare?

Yes! In many cases, you’ll see property owners scramble at the very last possible second to protect what might be their biggest financial asset. But at the same time, a good chunk of residents start planning right as storm season rolls in. And of course, this is what I strongly recommend doing.

How does the community come together in the event of an extreme weather event?

This is a great question! Along with the construction industry, our community and emergency services have also upgraded in recent years. What this means is that after storms like Irma, thousands of electrical workers came from as far away as Montana and Wisconsin to restore power in areas that were affected. Road crews were out so quickly to clear trees that were blocking the highway… in many cases, returning residents never even saw them. It was truly remarkable. And locally, communities come together to help each other and lift each other up in our state, which is something amazing to see.

Are you considering a property in Southwest Florida, but have questions about hurricane insurance or other weather-related factors? I’d be happy to answer them for you!

Terry Records

Broker/Owner
Records Results Real Estate
Residential Sales and Property Management Service

Terry.Records@gmail.com

239-887-2163

The post Understanding Extreme Weather in Florida appeared first on Terry Records & Jason Nordhougen | Real Estate Investment Coaches & More.

When it comes to Florida real estate, a question that often comes up, whether my clients are buying on Sanibel Island or Sarasota. And that question is whether they need flood insurance. It’s also followed closely by how much coverage they might need.

Of course, these questions make perfect sense given the state that we live in. After all, we’re surrounded on 3 sides by water, and in areas like Cape Coral, there’s miles upon miles of water access, often right in your own backyard.

So, as your source for everything related to Florida real estate, I’ve put together a quick rundown regarding flood insurance. This includes my biggest tips and perspective on those 2 important questions you may be asking when it comes to buying property in our area.

Do your homework

You might be tempted to think a severe flood is a once in a lifetime event. You might even be looking at an area that doesn’t require flood insurance at all. But even if that is the case for the area you’re considering, I have a piece of advice that I give to every client. Thoroughly do your homework into your area, so that you can have complete peace of mind. You’ll want t to know if your property requires flood insurance or not, but beyond that fact, you can get a good lay of the land for your future area.

Understanding your flood zone map

On that note, you’ll also want to research your area’s flood zone map. Every area in Florida has one, and they can give you a good perspective on what your area may look like in a severe weather event. For example, if you’re on a peninsula in Florida, you’ll discover that while you aren’t in an immediate evacuation zone, flooding may cut off access to the mainland for a period of time.

Should I get optional flood insurance?

This is an excellent question! I always recommend, even if you discover that flood insurance is optional, to consider it for your property. This is because, after all is said and done, even if you’ve done your homework and understand the zones… that doesn’t mean you won’t be affected. Now, it’s unlikely, but much of the research is based on historic conditions and isn’t necessarily reflective of what could happen in an extreme event. For this very reason, I recommend getting optional flood insurance if you can afford it. This way, even if the worst were to happen, you’re prepared.

Flood insurance premiums going up

And finally, as of April 2018, flood insurance premiums in Florida are going up. How much will depend on your area, and you might only see a minor increase. However, in some areas, the increase may be as much as 25%. With that in mind, I recommend taking a quick look at your current policy if you’re an existing homeowner in Southwest Florida.

As your resource for everything Florida and real estate related, feel free to send me an email if you have any questions!

Terry Records

Broker/Owner
Records Results Real Estate
Residential Sales and Property Management Service

Terry.Records@gmail.com

239-887-2163

The post Flood Insurance and Owning Florida Real Estate appeared first on Terry Records & Jason Nordhougen | Real Estate Investment Coaches & More.

This month, probably one of the biggest questions I’ve been getting from people all over the country is on the effects of Irma. Whether they’re curious about the real estate market or they want to know if living here has changed, one factor stays the same:  After an event like Irma, people want to understand the circumstances and how it impacted the communities that went through it. And that’s perfectly normal. But as your source for all things Southwest Florida, real estate or otherwise, I’m here to give you an update on SWFL after Irma.

How is the SWFL Real Estate Market Now?

First, let’s start with properties. As you could imagine, there weren’t many home tours going on as Irma was making her way across our region. Typically, after a major storm—one that was expected to be far worse—we see a drop off in the market leading up to and directly after. It’s probably not hard to understand why that would be. However, I’m glad to say that, as we enter October the market is bouncing back once again. This is good news for people looking to sell their property, as well as for buyers wondering about inventory.

Was SWFL Really Ready for Irma?

For those of you considering a move to Southwest Florida, this is another area of concern. If you haven’t been through a storm season here, you might be left with a ton of questions about everything from building codes to prepping lists. In one sense, you can never be 100% ready for everything as a property owner. But after Hurricane Andrew in the 1990s, Florida really pulled together and change many aspects of how we prepare for hurricanes.

And if you ask many Floridians, during Irma, they likely met countless utility workers from as far away as Montana and Wisconsin. The response to restoring power, internet, and phone was nothing short of amazing. Was it perfect? Of course not. But when you live in SWFL, you come to realize exactly how much our state has learned about being ready for any extreme weather event.

Will I need Flood Insurance if I move to SWFL?

This is an excellent question. The fact of the matter is that it all depends on which property you purchase. And even if you aren’t required, some Floridians still choose to hold onto a policy to be on the safe side. As with any property you look at, you’ll want to do your homework, and this is something that I can be a resource on for you. When we tour properties, we can look at how the area you’re interested in may be affected by a strong storm and what your options are.

How are People Doing with Irma Gone?

I’m very happy to report that, while we’re still in the recovery process, life has largely returned to normal. On the weekends, you might see someone putting up a new line of fencing or, in many cases, updating windows. With a close call like Irma, it can totally change people’s perspectives, even in a storm state like Florida. There’s one thing I’ve noticed with how people are doing… as a community, people are taking time to help each other out and check in with others to see how they’re doing; and on how well prepared people felt they were. It’s an incredible testament to how much people in Southwest Florida rally together in challenging times.

And that’s one of the most important reasons I love living here. Have a question about what life is like in SWFL? I’m always just an email away.

Terry Records

Broker/Owner
Records Results Real Estate
Residential Sales and Property Management Service

Terry.Records@gmail.com

239-887-2163

The post What Effects Did Irma Leave on SWFL? appeared first on Terry Records & Jason Nordhougen | Real Estate Investment Coaches & More.

With recent storms like Hurricane Irma, more and more of my clients are asking about how they can be better prepared. And one of the big topics they have questions about is flood insurance. After all, in Southwest Florida, we have some amazing perks, like world-class beaches, year-round sunny weather, and many more amenities. But we also need to be prepared for the challenges that any area in the country has.

And for Southwest Florida, that’s weather events. If you own a SWFL home, or are thinking about buying one, understanding flood insurance is essential. This way, you’ll be able to safeguard your investment for the future. Plus, you’ll gain the peace of mind that makes home ownership a great experience.

Know Your Updated Flood Zone

Because flood zones can and have changed in the past, it’s important to know your zone. In addition, you get a perspective on your general area when you check your zone map.

Make Sure You Know Your Terms

Flood watch, flood warning… what’s the difference? When you live in Southwest Florida, it’s a good idea to become more familiar with these terms and what they mean.

Choose a Plan with Adequate Coverage

Your flood insurance plan should fit your needs. If you choose a plan that doesn’t cover your property in the way you intend, there could be unforeseen consequences. Instead, thoroughly review your options to get the one that makes the most sense for you.

Consider Insurance, even if not Required

At the same time, you may see that you aren’t in a flood zone and opt to not get flood insurance. However, I would recommend that you still look at your specific property and determine if you still want to be covered. After all, flood forecasting isn’t perfect, and you may want to be safe.

Gather Together Multiple Quotes

Just like you should gather multiple quotes for your home loan when you buy a SWFL home, the same holds true for flood insurance. Don’t just go with the first one! Once you have a few quotes together, you can go with the option that best protects your property.

Keep Your Adjuster’s Number Handy

In the event of an emergency, you don’t want to be digging through papers trying to find your adjuster’s number. Heaven forbid something happens, but if it does, you want to be able to follow up quickly and easily.

Itemize Your Possessions

Of course, making a list of your possessions is also key when you own a SWFL home. This way, if you do have to file a claim, there won’t be any question about an item.

Have a question about weather in Southwest Florida? I’d be happy to provide you with an answer!

Terry Records

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