Article
Buying in a Flood Zone: How to Spot Red Flags and Move with Confidence
May 5, 2025
A sun-drenched porch, majestic oaks, and a location just a mile from the Gulf.
308 W 12th Ave in Gulf Shores, Alabama, looked like the perfect coastal escape. But behind the curb appeal, a critical detail was missing from the listing: it’s in a FEMA-designated 100-year flood zone.
As Bob Frady, co-founder of PropertyLens, pointed out in the podcast:
“It wasn’t mentioned anywhere on the listing. Without the report, you’d have no idea you were walking into a flood zone—and flood insurance isn’t optional if you’re financing.”
That wasn’t the only hidden risk. Gulf Shores’ humid climate, combined with past water damage, raised serious concerns about mold.
“Mold’s tricky,” Bob explained. “You can’t always see it. Sometimes you just smell it—and by then, the damage is already done.”
Buying in a flood zone isn’t an automatic disqualifier. It’s about knowing the facts. In this post, we’ll break down what buyers need to know about flood zones, how to spot red flags buried beneath sunny descriptions, and why showing up with the right information makes all the difference.
How PropertyLens Helps You See Flood Risks (Before They Cost You)
PropertyLens doesn’t just tell you if a property is in a flood zone. It shows you how much risk you’re really taking, and what it means for your wallet.
Here’s how:
FEMA Flood Zone Mapping: PropertyLens uses verified FEMA 100-year and 500-year flood zone data, layered with their own custom mapping, to show your property’s true flood exposure
308 W 12th Ave in Gulf Shores, Alabama, looked like the perfect coastal escape. But behind the curb appeal, a critical detail was missing from the listing: it’s in a FEMA-designated 100-year flood zone.
As Bob Frady, co-founder of PropertyLens, pointed out in the podcast:
“It wasn’t mentioned anywhere on the listing. Without the report, you’d have no idea you were walking into a flood zone—and flood insurance isn’t optional if you’re financing.”
That wasn’t the only hidden risk. Gulf Shores’ humid climate, combined with past water damage, raised serious concerns about mold.
“Mold’s tricky,” Bob explained. “You can’t always see it. Sometimes you just smell it—and by then, the damage is already done.”
Buying in a flood zone isn’t an automatic disqualifier. It’s about knowing the facts. In this post, we’ll break down what buyers need to know about flood zones, how to spot red flags buried beneath sunny descriptions, and why showing up with the right information makes all the difference.
How PropertyLens Helps You See Flood Risks (Before They Cost You)
PropertyLens doesn’t just tell you if a property is in a flood zone. It shows you how much risk you’re really taking, and what it means for your wallet.
Here’s how:
FEMA Flood Zone Mapping: PropertyLens uses verified FEMA 100-year and 500-year flood zone data, layered with their own custom mapping, to show your property’s true flood exposure
Insurance Requirements and Recommendations: If flood insurance is required (typically in a 100-year zone), it’s clearly flagged. Even if it’s not required, PropertyLens will recommend flood insurance if coastal or riverine flooding is a meaningful risk.
Expected Loss and Historic Loss Ratios: Instead of relying just on old flood history, PropertyLens shows you both: Expected loss (based on the area’s environmental conditions) and Historic loss (based on past events). This helps buyers understand risks that haven’t happened yet, but are statistically likely.
LOMA/LOMAR Awareness: PropertyLens also checks if a property has a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), which means the property may have been elevated or altered to mitigate flood risk.
Insurance Cost Estimates: PropertyLens estimates homeowners and flood insurance costs based on real local risk factors—not generic zip code averages, and shows potential insurance partners if you want quotes.
As Bob puts it: “We’re trying to help buyers sleep better. Because if you know about the risks before you fall in love with a house, you’re in control, not stuck hoping nothing bad happens later.”
As Bob puts it: “We’re trying to help buyers sleep better. Because if you know about the risks before you fall in love with a house, you’re in control, not stuck hoping nothing bad happens later.”
“Buying in a flood zone isn’t an automatic disqualifier. It’s about knowing the facts.”
Why Flood Zones Matter—And Why They’re Not Automatic Dealbreakers
Buying in a flood zone doesn’t mean you’re buying a guaranteed disaster. It does mean you need better questions, and better information. Here’s what flood zone designation typically impacts:
Insurance Costs: Flood insurance is separate from homeowners insurance, and it can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to your annual costs.
Mortgage Requirements: If you’re financing, your lender will likely require flood insurance.
Resale Value: Homes in high-risk zones may take longer to sell or attract fewer buyers.
Maintenance and Risk: Even homes that haven’t flooded can be vulnerable over time without proper drainage and design.
The bottom line: flood zone buying is about having the data to know what you’re getting into.
The PropertyLens Checklist for Buying in a Flood Zone
Based on the Gulf Shores case and other flood zone properties reviewed by PropertyLens, here’s the checklist every buyer should use:
✅ Confirm the Flood Zone: FEMA 100-year vs 500-year matters. Ask for documentation and history of past flooding.
✅ Price Out Flood Insurance Early: Don’t assume it’s minor. Rates vary greatly depending on location and elevation.
✅ Inspect for Drainage Improvements: Look for sump pumps, French drains, and elevated construction.
✅ Request Mold and Termite Inspections: Especially in humid climates, water damage often brings hidden mold and pests.
✅ Call an Insurance Agent Before You Offer: Get a real quote, not an estimate, based on the property’s specific risks.
✅ Review Permit History: Open permits, undocumented repairs, and unclosed damage can create expensive surprises.
The Advantage of Data
A beautiful listing doesn’t tell you everything.
Neither does a charming open house.
The advantage today’s buyers have? Data that goes deeper.
When you show up already knowing the questions to ask - and the costs to expect - you shift from a hopeful buyer to a confident decision-maker.
That’s what PropertyLens was built to deliver: real insights for real decisions.
The bottom line: flood zone buying is about having the data to know what you’re getting into.
The PropertyLens Checklist for Buying in a Flood Zone
Based on the Gulf Shores case and other flood zone properties reviewed by PropertyLens, here’s the checklist every buyer should use:
✅ Confirm the Flood Zone: FEMA 100-year vs 500-year matters. Ask for documentation and history of past flooding.
✅ Price Out Flood Insurance Early: Don’t assume it’s minor. Rates vary greatly depending on location and elevation.
✅ Inspect for Drainage Improvements: Look for sump pumps, French drains, and elevated construction.
✅ Request Mold and Termite Inspections: Especially in humid climates, water damage often brings hidden mold and pests.
✅ Call an Insurance Agent Before You Offer: Get a real quote, not an estimate, based on the property’s specific risks.
✅ Review Permit History: Open permits, undocumented repairs, and unclosed damage can create expensive surprises.
The Advantage of Data
A beautiful listing doesn’t tell you everything.
Neither does a charming open house.
The advantage today’s buyers have? Data that goes deeper.
When you show up already knowing the questions to ask - and the costs to expect - you shift from a hopeful buyer to a confident decision-maker.
That’s what PropertyLens was built to deliver: real insights for real decisions.
