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FEMA’s new flood maps are redrawing more than zones — they’re reshaping the rules for homeowners, lenders, and insurers. 📌 Here’s how the changes are affecting key stakeholders 👇 🏠 Homeowners • Properties newly mapped into Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) will now require flood insurance for mortgage compliance. • Annual premiums can range from $800 to over $3,000, depending on structure elevation, proximity to waterways, and mitigation measures. • Those removed from high-risk zones can request Letter of Map Amendments (LOMAs) to lower premiums or eliminate the insurance requirement entirely. 💼 Lenders • Mortgage approvals in revised flood areas now depend on updated FEMA data, adding new due diligence layers. • Lenders must reclassify existing portfolios to ensure compliance — a growing administrative and risk-management challenge. 📊 Insurers • Insurers face rising exposure as FEMA’s data reflects a broader floodplain footprint, particularly in coastal and inland Florida. • Private flood insurance providers are stepping in to bridge affordability gaps where federal policies fall short. 💡 For professionals across the ecosystem: Understanding these shifts isn’t optional — it’s essential to compliance, cost control, and accurate valuation. 💭 For your clients, colleagues, or community — what’s the biggest challenge right now: navigating the cost, the coverage, or the confusion? #FloodInsurance #FEMA #RealEstateRisk #PropertyValuation #StakeholderImpact #HGSGroup

Home insurance, simplified.🏡🛡️ Picking the right homeowners policy matters—here’s the fast breakdown: 🔷 HO-1 (Basic coverage): Fire, theft, vandalism—very limited. 🔷 HO-2 (Broader protection): Adds named risks like falling objects, snow and water damage. 🔷 H-3 (Open perils): Most causes covered unless excluded (e.g., flood, earthquake); the most popular. In high-risk areas, add specialized coverage (e.g., flood) since standard policies exclude external water. Base coverage on rebuild cost, belongings, and risk—and compare rates to find the best fit. ➡️ Message me for recommendations, and follow for more homeownership tips. #The401Group #The401GroupatREMAX #REMAXRI #realtorlife #RIrealestate #MArealestate

The government shutdown has sparked conversations about its impact on homebuyers and the real estate industry. A significant challenge observed is the inability to secure National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies, due to FEMA's temporary closure. The sole alternative is private flood insurance, which can be more expensive. This creates friction for buyers seeking affordable coverage. Navigating these shifts requires adaptable strategies and creative solutions. #GovernmentShutdown #RealEstate #FloodInsurance #Homebuyers

The NFIP and the Government Shutdown: What It Means for Millions of Policyholders As a claims professional and long time consumer advocate in Florida, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how the current government shutdown affects the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — and the reality is, it has real consequences for millions of Americans who depend on it. Here’s what’s important to know: ✅ Existing policies remain in force. If your NFIP policy is active and in good standing, your coverage continues. Claims can still be processed and paid, though delays are possible due to reduced federal operations. 🚫 New and renewal policies are on hold. During a lapse in government funding, FEMA and the NFIP cannot issue new policies or renew expired ones. That means homebuyers in flood zones may be unable to close on a mortgage, and existing policyholders risk coverage gaps if their renewal falls during the shutdown. 💡 Why it matters: In Florida, where flood risk is part of everyday life, this isn’t just an administrative hiccup, it’s a serious vulnerability. Lenders often require proof of flood insurance before closing, and without NFIP availability, transactions can stall. While some private flood insurers can step in temporarily, NFIP remains the backbone of flood protection for millions of homeowners. A prolonged lapse could create significant uncertainty across the housing market and leave families exposed. As professionals in this field, public adjusters, agents, contractors, and advocates, we must stay informed and help our clients navigate these moments calmly and strategically. If you or your clients are affected, check your policy status, explore private flood options, and document every communication with your insurer. #NFIP #FloodInsurance #Florida #PublicAdjuster #InsuranceIndustry #FAPIA #USA #ConsumerProtection #consumeradvocacy #yourFLvoice #consumerrights #ftc

Are recent flood insurance changes on your radar? In the Philadelphia suburbs, new FEMA regulations: including Risk Rating 2.0: mean that insurance premiums are now more closely tied to individual property risks. This shift has a real impact on affordability, monthly payments, and even approval for loans in flood-prone areas. Lenders are tightening up: without the right insurance coverage, deals can stall, and buyers may face unexpected costs or higher premiums. Property values in designated flood zones may see fluctuations, making professional valuation more crucial than ever. For anyone handling real estate transactions or valuations: especially lenders, attorneys, and local government: double-check flood map updates, insurance requirements, and adjust lending strategies accordingly. Reach out for help navigating these changes! #Philadelphia #RealEstate #FloodInsurance #Lending #PropertyValuation #RiskManagement

🚨 28,000 Florida home sales at risk. With the government shutdown halting the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), closings across the state are on pause. Nationally, that’s 1,400 home sales a day now in limbo. Why it matters: 🏡 Florida leads the nation in flood exposure. 📉 NFIP supports 500,000+ transactions annually. 💰 That’s $70B in economic activity and 1M jobs tied to housing stability. Without flood coverage, lenders won’t close loans in high-risk areas — leaving buyers, sellers, and entire communities in limbo. 👉 How can we protect housing from future shutdown shocks? Share your thoughts below ⬇️ #HousingMarket #FloridaRealEstate #NFIP #GovernmentShutdown #HomeSales #FloodInsurance https://lnkd.in/gJC7ieMb

Do you live in a flood zone? It may matter less than it used to - at least about how much at-risk you are for flooding. Confused? You should be. Per this article from The Wall Street Journal: "Banks, builders, landlords and homeowners rely on federal maps to assess the risk of flooding, the costliest type of natural disaster in the U.S. Typical home insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so most mortgage lenders require separate coverage inside the U.S. government’s designated flood zones.   But federal maps overlook millions of at-risk homes across the country—often ones far from the coast, particularly in urban areas, where rainfall causes more damage than rising rivers, lakes or oceans." With more extreme weather, we'll all at more risk than before. Important to consider your risks when insuring your home - and importantly recognize that flood protection is not a standard coverage. Check your policy. #risk #insurance #flood #weather #reinsurance #climate https://lnkd.in/eRyvRftu

Agents — here’s what I’m seeing firsthand in the mortgage world right now: The federal shutdown is causing two major slowdowns that could affect your clients: 1️⃣ USDA loans are on full pause. No files are being reviewed until staff return, which means once the government reopens, there’ll likely be a heavy backlog. 2️⃣ FEMA flood insurance is temporarily halted. That leaves private flood insurance as the only option — often with higher premiums. Here’s how you can stay proactive: ✅ Before submitting an offer, ask your lender if the property is in a flood zone or eligible for USDA. ✅ Communicate these risks to your clients early — it builds trust and avoids surprises later. ✅ Partner closely with your loan officer to navigate these scenarios. Together, you’ll keep deals moving while others stall. Now’s the time to show your value — not just by finding homes, but by anticipating hurdles before they hit. #RealEstateProfessionals #MortgageUpdate #LenderRealtorPartnership #USDAloans #FloodInsurance #GovernmentShutdown #LeadershipInLending #RealtorTips #HomeBuying #MarketInsight

The ongoing government shutdown is raising concerns across the housing market.....but what’s the real impact here in East Tennessee? In this video, I share how the shutdown affects: 1. Loan approvals and processing times 2. Flood insurance renewals (NFIP) 3. What relocation buyers should plan for right now If you’ve been considering a move to East Tennessee....this update will help you understand what’s changing and what’s not, so you can make confident decisions about your next home. #EastTennesseeRealEstate #HousingMarket #Relocation #KnoxvilleRealEstate #TennesseeRealEstate #MelodyMovesTN #GovernmentShutdown #melodywagstaffrealtor

You might need flood insurance more than you think. Banks, builders, landlords and homeowners rely on federal maps to assess the risk of flooding, but federal flood maps omit millions of at-risk properties, particularly in urban areas, where rainfall causes significant damage. Government maps are often more than 10 years old, rely on historical data, and tend to underestimate current flood risks compared with estimates by First Street, a topic Heather Gillers explores in her excellent piece. My latest interactive map for The Wall Street Journal illustrates the gap between FEMA flood estimates and First Street’s flood estimates, by county. https://lnkd.in/ethSDKnc