When purchasing a dream home no one wants to think about what could happen if that home was lost to the sea but with rising sea levels and high erosion rates in some areas it’s important to be aware of risk factors as well as what could happen should this occur at some point.

In NC home insurance is not required by law but if you intend to purchase with a loan your lender will most likely require it. Insurance is recommended regardless as it provides you some protections. Knowing the type of insurance you qualify for, what is exactly covered and the expense of that coverage is important to know prior to purchasing a home and ideally the more we know prior to going under contract on a home the better. Due to the high insurance claims across the country over recent years many insurance companies are in a state of review. Some have dropped out of coastal or high risk areas altogether, others have adjusted how rates and premium are determined. We have wonderful local insurance agents who can help you through this aspect of the home buying process.

New septic rules have gone into effect as of Jan 1, 2024 that involve both existing systems where the rules are retroactive AND related to new construction. This is a work in progress for all involved. Bottom line, when you are looking to purchase a property- we will obtain any current records the county has related to the septic system and have a conversation withe the local environmental health department to make sure you're fully informed of how this relates to your and your property.

The Outer Banks has been in the news more than a few times over the last few years with some homes unfortunately being lost to the ocean. Erosion often becomes a topic of discussion. How could someone build a home so close to the ocean that it could get swept in? Well the answer is they likely didn't built it that close at the time of construction- there are certain areas across the shorelines of the United States where erosion rates are higher than others and in many of the instances where a home is lost to the ocean it's based on rapidly increasing erosion rates coupled with a lack of protective factors such as beach nourishment. Take a look at the links below for more information on erosion and development on the Outer Banks