The program acknowledges map imperfections and has created options to challenge apparent incorrect determinations. Future or current policy holders who have identified risk can benefit from premium savings prior to a map change. The "it won't happen to me" mentality is slowly being removed from homeowners' thoughts, because it did happen to them or someone they know. Homeowners should be made aware that flood damage is much more likely to occur than a house fire, and proper flood mitigation will protect infrastructure and resources, enhance public awareness and safety, and save tax dollars. With large local and global changes continuing to occur, flood problems will increase, not decrease.

It is of great importance that homeowners understand they can transfer policies to buyers if certain conditions are met, because extinguishing a flood policy prior to closing, or even at closing, can have a negative impact on the parties involved. Also, 25% of all flood claims occur outside the SFHA because of outdated flood studies and maps, increase in development, incorrect Base Flood Elevations, vegetation loss, poor designs, improper fill, etc.

If the National Flood Insurance Program understands that errors exist in these maps and it has avenues to challenge flood determinations which erroneously place a home in a SFHA, isn’t it safe to assume the opposite scenario could exist? Actually, it would be naïve to believe a home could only be incorrectly placed in a Special Flood Hazard Area and never outside of one. Very few applicants will question this logic if their home scales out, since mandatory insurance is not required and often viewed as an unnecessary additional cost. These homes would be at high risk and are often without a Preferred Risk Policy. This policy provides the same coverage as a high risk policy, but at a much lower premium. Understanding flood risk for any real estate investment could prove extremely valuable for all involved.

What's New With Us

Last month we attended the Realtor Appreciation Day events, hosted by the Real Estate Learning Group, as well as the Maine Building Officials & Inspectors Annual Code Conference! As always, it's a pleasure to network with local professionals and share insight on the industry.

We've also put our Topcon GPS surveying equipment to good use this spring. More of our projects are requiring the use of this equipment because there is an increasing demand for GPS survey data to be collected in the commonly used Maine State Coordinate System, or other globally referenced systems, to ease integration into GIS programs or with data collected by others.

We are also able to reduce costs for our clients' because of the efficiency and range of these instruments.

History Corner

The History of Father's Day

Did you know that throughout much of the 20th century there was a debate about whether or not fathers should have a holiday comparable to Mother's Day? This was due in part to the "sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving", as one historian recalls. Presidents Wilson and Coolidge both fought for its recognition. Advertisers during World War II argued that the holiday would be a way to honor the American troops. Finally, in 1972, under President Nixon, Father's Day became a federal holiday.