Home

Flood Map Project

Most Recent Reports

Meeting Information

Media Release

SWFWMD Watershed Management Program

Insurance Information

Information for Homeowners

Information for Realtors

Information for Builders

Frequently Asked Questions

Hurricane Evacuation Zones

Public Comment Period

Flood Risk Appeals

Fact Sheets and Applications

Contact Information

Links

How New Flood Hazard Maps Affect Real Estate Agents

As a real estate agent, you'll want to disclose any changes in flood risk levels to your clients, and tell them about flood insurance requirements and options. Not to do so puts you at risk. Here's the good news: The new maps are much easier to use than the older maps. Just enter an address, online, to see the new map (Hernando County Map Viewer). Future updates will be added as completed, so you'll always be working with the most recent information. And buyers whose property will be mapped into an area of high risk can save on flood insurance before new maps are adopted through a "grandfathering" provision. More information on grandfathering is available on the Insurance Information page.

As a Listing Agent, Check the Risk Level

The lister should disclose if the property is now or will be in a high-risk area (Special Flood Hazard Area). Go to the Proposed Flood Map Viewers and pull up the flood map to locate the property of interest. Ask if the owner has a flood insurance policy to transfer to the purchaser. This maintains the benefit of a "Grandfathered" policy.

Tell Buyers About Flood Insurance Requirements

To avoid liability, you need to make buyers aware of any upcoming changes in flood risk status. You should also disclose any flood insurance requirements. When the new maps are adopted, flood insurance requirements will change. However, many property owners can save if they purchase their insurance prior to map adoption - a process known as "grandfathering" or assume the current owner's flood insurance policy. More information is available on the Insurance Information page.

Questions, Comments, and Protests

Every home and commercial building in Hernando County has some risk of flooding - but the risk varies, sometimes within the same neighborhood, or even the same property. If the property owner disagrees with their new zone designation, they will have a three-month public comment period in late Fall 2006 to file a protest or appeal. They will need to prove that they are sufficiently above the base flood elevation by providing some technical information about the property, such as a survey, elevation certificate, etc. More information is available on the Public Comment Period page.