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Hi, everyone! I'm planning to move to MB with my husband and daughter in two years. I found some great new homes down there, but I'm trying to do my homework, and I've some questions.
I read on the city website that anyone who lives in MB lives in or near a flood plain. Does this mean it is advisable for me to purchase flood insurance for my new home? It's very expensive, but I'm thinking maybe I should err on the safe side?
Also, does ordinary homeowners insurance cover hurricane damage?
Also, I'm looking to go down there on a family vacation to look at real estate, but I have two adorable chihuahuas who only weigh 5 lbs. each and are totally housebroken. I won't board them ever again, because it upsets them so much, especially the male, Jose. Can anyone recommend a hotel (preferably oceanfront) that is pet-friendly? When I look for them, they're either really far from the beach, crummy-looking or both. Some have mixed reviews (some guests say they're dirty or noisy, and some say they're great). Idk what to do.
Also, I'm looking to go down there on a family vacation to look at real estate, but I have two adorable chihuahuas who only weigh 5 lbs. each and are totally housebroken. I won't board them ever again, because it upsets them so much, especially the male, Jose. Can anyone recommend a hotel (preferably oceanfront) that is pet-friendly? When I look for them, they're either really far from the beach, crummy-looking or both. Some have mixed reviews (some guests say they're dirty or noisy, and some say they're great). Idk what to do.
A few pet friendly oceanfront hotels are Patricia Grand, Ocean Park, and Sea Mist. Sorry, I tried to link them but for some reason that is not working this morning.
Homeowners insurance is pricey near the coast. The situation in SC has seemed to stabilize in the past couple years, but that always seems to be subject to the latest storm and the amount of damage that occurs.
If you get a mortgage and your house is in a flood plain, you will likely be required to have flood insurance. The problem is that FEMA's flood plain maps are notoriously inaccurate. Hurricane Floyd caused horrendous flooding in this area, with much of it outside the mapped flood areas. Many people opt to get flood insurance even if not required. Many others choose the "hope and a prayer" method.
Hurricane damage coverage varies between companies and is dependent heavily upon your home's proximity to the immediate coast. Some companies that provide coverage require an additional "named storm" deductible, increasing the amount an individual pays if damage is the result of either a tropical storm or hurricane. Regardless, if damage occurs, you'll end up fighting with your insurer as to whether the damage is wind-related or water-related. The latter is flood damage and not covered. For those unable to get coverage, SC has a "wind and hail" insurance pool, but it is very expensive and requires high deductibles.
I don't think I'd own any property close to MB without flood insurance. It is very low lying land for miles and miles inland. When we think of hurricanes we think wind damage but in my experience it's the rain and flooding that is the problem most times. The wind moves away quickly but the rains can keep on for days or the rains can dump huge amounts of water in a short time which is a flood in the making. As far as hurricanes covered by homeowners, I'd best let others with more knowledge answer this since I live inland and not at the beach. All I can say is that all summer long commercials run that tell us floods are not covered by homeowners insurance and we need a separate policy. On the flipside, I hear homeowners policies are outrageously expensive in MB (any coastal property) and some companies won't even write insurance there.
hmmmm I tried to put links up earlier and it didn't work. I thought City Data was having technical difficulty but apparently it was the person sitting at the computer oops ... Let's try this again
I have never sold a house here and the buyer didn't purchase flood insurance even if they were not in a flood zone. It's not expensive and well worth the piece of mind. Ours is $400 a year.
I am in Carolina Forest and don't need flood insurance
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oops ... Let's try this again
