Light Blogging this Weekend

I’ll be out of town for the next few days, with Internet access, maybe, by Sunday. Other than perhaps a few iPhone posts, you guys are on your own for a while. Behave yourselves.

Diane Fox’s informational meeting on FEMA may be moved

A year ago today, Old Greenwich parents arrive to pick up their children after early school closing

Anticipating a large crowd for next Wednesday’s meeting on the new FEMA regulations and how they affect Greenwich home owners, Town Planner Diane Fox tried to reserve the large conference room at town hall, only to discover that another town agency has preempted the space. Stay tuned for its new location and, possibly, date.

In the meantime, here are some useful links on the same topic sent out today by the Connecticut Association of Realtors.

• FEMA: Overview of NFIP
• FEMA Information on changes to the policies and rates of the NFIP
• NFIP Specific Rating Guidelines

FEMA’S Rate Relief Programs

In anticipation of increasing flood insurance rates, FEMA identifies several options that may directly or indirectly result in flood insurance discounts to policyholders.

• NFIP Community Rating System
  The NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) offers insurance premium discounts (up to 45 percent) for individuals in communities implementing floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP. By implementing CRS floodplain management best practices, flood losses are reduced, public safety is enhanced, and the cost of flood insurance is decreased.
• Elevation Certificates
  An Elevation Certificate is an important tool that documents your building’s elevation. The below fact sheet provides valuable information for homeowners including guidance for obtaining an Elevation Certificate which is necessary for determining full-risk rates in high-risk zones. It may also show that you may be paying too much for flood insurance.
• FEMA Flood Map Appeal
  If a person believes their property was incorrectly included in a NFIP-identified Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), they may submit an application to FEMA for a formal determination of the property’s location and/or elevation relative to the SFHA.
• Raise the Deductible
  And like any other insurance policy, you can always raise the deductible.

Video

• NAR: Flood Insurance Subsidies Phasing Out

Statistics

• Interactive Map for NFIP Subsidized Policies by State and County
• Determine Your Flood Zone: “V” (high risk coastal), “A” (high risk river), “X” (low risk) or “D” (unmapped)

Additional Information & Research

• FloodSmart.gov – The official site of the NFIP, Residential Coverage
• FloodSmart.gov – Residential, Policy Rates
• FloodSmart.gov – Commercial Coverage
• FloodSmart.gov – Commercial, Policy Rates
• FEMA: Homeowner’s Guide to Elevation Certificates
• FEMA: Letter of Map Amendment & Letter of Map Revision – Based on Fill Process

Two accepted offers

Hillcrest Park and Riverside

72 Hillcrest

72 Hillcrest Park Road, $2.495 million, 30 days on market.

15 Linwood

15 Linwood, $1.599 million, took 5X as long, probably because of price: the first price of $1.725 was steep for what is essentially a three–bedroom house. Plus, when the owners moved out (this was a relocation move) they took with them the beautiful furnishings and decorations Mrs. Owner  (friend of mine) had installed, and the house went back to looking as it did when I sold it to the sellers some years ago. When I sold it, it was bank owned and we got it for a song, so the barren walls and rooms weren’t so daunting; bump it up some hundreds of thousands of dollars and it’s not so inviting. My guess on final sales price? $1.450.