Flood risk is real for Florida homebuyers. Here's how to shop smart

Why it matters: The beach is beautiful until it's in your living room.

Catch up quick: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation last year that made it harder to hide flood damage from prospective buyers. But it came with a catch: Sellers don't have to disclose flood damage for which no claim was filed.

• To close that loophole, the state Legislature passed a bill this year that, if signed, would require sellers to disclose any flooding that has damaged the property during their ownership.
• It also expands the requirement to disclose whether the property has received federal assistance to include state, local and private flood-related assistance.

Yes, but: Experts told the Herald a disclosure is not enough.

Zoom in: These experts recommend that buyers first consult with FEMA's flood maps, which categorize counties into risk zones based on factors such as elevation, drainage systems and more.

• You can check out Hillsborough and Pinellas counties here. It's not foolproof, though, because even FEMA concedes that around 30% of flood claims come from outside high-risk zones.

• You can also turn to third-party tools. The nonprofit First Street Foundation's Flood Factor, for example, is now built into real estate sites like Redfin, according to the Herald.
• Another way to gauge a neighborhood's flood risk is to see if local officials are addressing it. Reviewing recent commission or council agendas can show ongoing or planned projects, the Herald notes.

Caveat: Flooding can occur anytime and anywhere intense or prolonged rain occurs, even outside evacuation zones or in flood zone X.

• That's especially true near a body of water. Retention ponds can overflow, too.