When you start helping your client find their dream home in Texas, one important factor to consider is if the home is in an area affected by natural disasters. With some basic research, you'll be able to tell if your client's future home can withstand any natural disaster Texas throws at it.
Texas is the largest state in the continental United States, coming in at over 280,000 square miles. This large size means there are a lot of different landscapes where natural disasters can occur. Texas is most prone to flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, and most recently, winter storms. Learn what kind of damage these disasters can cause and how you can find your client a safe home.
Floods
Floods are the most common natural disasters that occur in Texas. The soil in Texas is rocky with a lot of clay, which makes it hard for it to absorb water. This, combined with the potential of heavy storms coming in from the Gulf of Mexico, makes the perfect flood zone. In fact, in the last 10 years, Texas has had over 500 flash floods. Floods can cause damage to the foundation of your house along with wreaking havoc on your electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
You can help your client with this process by providing them with data on historical flood zones and how to procure flood insurance. You can also see if their potential home has features that can mitigate the effects of floods like proper drainage, a sealed foundation, and even a sump pump.
Hurricanes
Being situated on the Gulf of Mexico leaves the eastern part of the state open to the threat of hurricanes. Hurricane season peaks each year in August and September. Hurricanes bring the potential for the same damage as floods, but with extreme winds that can break windows, tear off siding, and knock over trees.
While insurance agencies don't offer hurricane insurance, your client can get flood insurance and combine that with their homeowner's insurance to help mitigate the costs of hurricane damage. Other ways you can suggest to minimize damage from hurricanes include installing protective barriers over doors and windows and keeping trees near the home trimmed,
Tornadoes
Every year, around 130 tornadoes touch down in Texas, mostly in the northern parts of the state. Tornadoes are the most destructive of natural disasters, tearing up anything that stands in their path. If they don't destroy a home, their strong winds can cause massive damage.
You can look for homes with damage-prevention features like high-wind-resistant windows and doors for your client. If they are building a new home, suggest building with insulated concrete forms that can handle winds of over 200 MPH. Some insurance policies require special wind damage insurance if they live in a tornado-prone area.
Winter Storms
Winter storms used to be a rarity in Texas, but they are becoming more common as the climate starts to change. 2021 saw a storm in which 246 people died. It was the worst winter storm in the state's history. Homes were not prepared for the cold weather when the power grid went down due to damage from all of the ice and snow.
While it is hard to prepare for a natural disaster that is rare but becoming more common, you can help your client choose the right features to get them through winter storms. Insulation was not required in houses in Texas prior to 1980, so make sure an insulated home is on your checklist. Another handy thing to suggest is having a generator that'll keep their home warm if the grid goes down.
Find a Home Prepared for Natural Disasters in Texas
When you are finding your client their new home in Texas, you need to find one prepared for whichever natural disaster the area they are moving to is prone to. You can help them find all of the features they need along with the proper insurance. If you want to learn additional ways you can help out your client, check out the continuing education classes at AceableAgent. You can cover all of the material you need to renew your license all from your home.