HI Sharon,

It would appear that the home is outside of the 100 and 500 year flood zones, however your insurance company will let you know for certain if flood insurance might be required. It is important to note that a home could be outside of a flood zone, and due to any number of factors, might have issues with water in the basement. These include, but are not limited to the grading of the property, foundation issues, lack of proper drainage, etc.

Warm regards,

Erik Farber
Weichert Realtors
55 Stirling Road
Watchung, NJ 07069

Office:(908) 561-5400
Cell: (973) 420-1156
Fax: (908) 756-5523

I invite you to view my website, http://www.erikfarber.com for all of your real estate needs.

Hi Sharon,

There's only one authority that all get their information from and that is FEMA. If you feel like checking the flood map yourself, check out the supplied link. Click on "Flood Insurance, Maps, and Information", then click "Flood Maps" and then enter the address you're looking for and click "Search by Street Address". The system will then provide the relevant flood map if there is one. Click on "View", not buy, and you'll get the actual most recent flood map for that area. There's explanations regarding the different flood zones on the FEMA website as well.

Sincerely,

Jacobus "Jack" Vollenberg
RE Appraiser - Vollenberg Appraisers
Asset Manager - ERA Statewide Realty
Vollenberg@iname.com
Cell (973) 590-0142

Also, check for rust or warping on lower sections of metal/wood support structures/furniture, existence of mold, and if items are slightly elevated/propped by support structures it may also indicate that there are often water problem.

http://www.freeflood.net/

:)

Sharon,

There are several questions/observations for you -- 1) are there any visual signs that
the basement has had water (water marks, wet boxes, odor that would indicate water)?
2) is there a sump pump? does it look like it's been active 3) what does the Seller's Disclosure indicate?
4) ask the Listing Agent whether the current owner's bank required flood insurance
in order to get their mortgage, 5) check out the FEMA flood maps -- your Agent or
your attorney can help with this -- ask someone who is familiar with these maps as
one house on a block can be in a flood zone, while another nearby one is not; also
a corner of a property may be in a flood zone, but the house itself may not
6) choose a home inspector who is familiar with Cranford and have them pay special
attention to the basement

You are smart to ask these questions before you are commited to buying the house;
Cranford is a popular town and many people want to buy there despite the known flood issues, but you want to go into it with your eyes open.

Good luck with you home buying.

Marilyn Holda-Fleck
Prudential New Jersey Properties
Cell 908-456-0779

107 herning Avenue, in Cranford

Hi Sharon,

I can give you a more definitive answer if I know the specific address you're looking into. As you're obviously aware, large parts of Cranford lie in flood zones, but the flood maps have "grades", and the maps are redrawn by FEMA from time to time.

Warm regards,

Erik Farber
Weichert Realtors
55 Stirling Road
Watchung, NJ 07069

Office:(908) 561-5400
Cell: (973) 420-1156
Fax: (908) 756-5523

I invite you to view my website, http://www.erikfarber.com for all of your real estate needs.