Short answerIf a home is in a FEMA high risk flood zone and has a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is generally required. The Indiana seller's disclosure form asks about flood plains and flood insurance. Check any address on FEMA's flood map service center and get a flood insurance quote early, because cost can change your budget.
What do inspectors check?
Inspectors do not determine flood zones. Lenders order a flood zone determination.
What are the common findings?
- Homes near rivers and creeks in mapped zones.
- Basements that flood in heavy rain even outside mapped zones.
How serious is it?
Flood zone status affects insurance cost and some buyers' choices.
What does it cost to fix?
Costs vary widely with the house. Get a quote from a qualified contractor before you negotiate.
When is a specialist needed?
An insurance agent for quotes; a surveyor for an elevation certificate when needed.
If you are selling
Disclose flood history and flood insurance. An elevation certificate can help buyers get quotes.
If you are buying
Check the FEMA map and get a flood insurance quote during your inspection period.
Frequently asked questions
Is flood insurance required?
For federally backed mortgages on homes in high risk zones, generally yes.
Can flood insurance be expensive?
It varies widely. Get a quote on the specific home.
Keep reading
Want to know what a buyer's inspector may find before they do?
Book a free pre listing condition walk. I walk the house with you, point out what inspectors and FHA, VA, and USDA appraisers tend to flag, and give you planning ranges so you can decide what to fix, credit, price in, or disclose.
Book a condition walkOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email john@yourpropertynegotiator.com.
The condition walk is a REALTOR® and contractor evaluation, not a home inspection, and it does not replace one. If you have already signed a listing agreement with another agent, please take these questions to your agent.
Looking at a house and not sure what you are getting into?
Ask for a free Before You Offer review. Send me the listing. I look over the photos, the seller's disclosure, and recent sales, then flag likely condition issues and planning cost ranges before you write an offer.
Request a Before You Offer reviewOr call or text (812) 525-5489, or email john@yourpropertynegotiator.com.
The Before You Offer review is a REALTOR® and contractor review of the listing, not a home inspection. It is for buyers who are not already working with an agent. If you have an agent, please bring these questions to your agent.
Sources
Written by John Long, REALTOR®, 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate. Working contractor who has priced hundreds of home inspection repair requests. Former labor relations negotiator for a major manufacturer and U.S. Coast Guard veteran.
John Long, REALTOR® · 1 Percent Lists Indiana Real Estate · (812) 525-5489 · yourpropertynegotiator.com
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional home inspection, and not legal, tax, insurance, or lending advice. Ask a real estate attorney about contracts and disclosure, a CPA about taxes, your lender about loan rules, and a licensed inspector or tradesperson about your house. Nothing here guarantees a sale price, net proceeds, repair cost, payment, timeline, appraisal, inspection result, or loan approval. Cost figures are planning estimates, not bids. I own Wardmark Property Operations LLC, a contracting company. You are always free to use any contractor you choose.