Once you home in on a new home in South Florida, your Lang Realty agent can advise you if the property has an existing elevation certificate or if you’ll need one to proceed.
What is an elevation certificate?
“A flood elevation certificate (EC) is a document needed to verify your property’s elevation relative to the estimated height floodwaters could reach in the event of a major flood (especially in high-risk zones),” according to floridafloodinsurance.org
How can you check if the property or your condo or homeowners’ association already has an elevation certificate? That is now public information through a search of the Florida Division of Emergency Management: Elevation Certificates
Where can I get an elevation certificate?
There are a number of FEMA maps online like Flood Finder. But this is where your Lang Realty agent’s real estate expertise comes in. He or she will have a reliable source for this information.
How to get an elevation certificate in Florida.
Always check first. You may not need one. “For certain constructions in a high-risk flood zone or if your flood zone has recently changed, an elevation certificate may be required if your flood insurance policy is written through a federally regulated insurance lender…Private insurers, however, do not always require ECs – even in high-risk flood zones. Flood EC’s are not required and are not used for flood zone rating in moderate- to low-risk areas,” Florida Flood Insurance advises.
How much do elevation certificates cost?
That can vary from $600 to $850. So again, make sure you really need to add one before you add an elevation certificate to satisfy your mortgage lender.
