Hi! We are a late 20s-early 30s couple moving to Fort Lauderdale for a new job. We would like to purchase a single family home. I'm trying to read up and understand the market and I hope some of your answers will help accelerate my research.
- I'm aware of FEMA's flood map. But it doesn't tell me if this place/neighborhood was recently flooded. Plus it feels a little flawed because FEMA is working with local community, who obviously have it in their best interest to try to get FEMA to label it for reduced flood risk. Would you be comfortable picking a place that's marked in orange (0.2% flood risk)? Because it feels like that is the best I can do in the area. Any tips on how I should be using the map to make a home buying decision? Are there better maps/resources that you know of?
- Is the risk of flooding reduced if I'm further inland and not right by the ocean? I'm thinking of Weston/Davie/Pembroke Pines/etc.
- Are there any resources which help figure out which homes are insurable or not? Is it based on neighborhoods or is it dependent on the specific address? How would you search for places to look for on Zillow/Redfin/etc from an insurability point of view.
- Right now insurance/flooding is the biggest factor in my mind. Other than normal considerations (ex: schools, commute, home condition, etc), are there other South Florida specific things I need to consider when making this decision?
Also welcome to any other thoughts, suggestions, tips, etc (other than don't move here lol).
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