FINALLY! We have been set up with our appointments from the MDA in regards to our approvals for the MDA SRAP. This is great news. A lot later than what we expected, but a breath of fresh air to say the least. One thing we were told is that based on the applicants, and the site inspections that were performed, there seems to be an issue with compliance with FEMA’s Advised Base Flood Elevation….Not required by code, but REQUIRED for the SRAP. I knew it and I said this prior to Day 1 of the program. You can reference this in my blogging.
The ABFE is something that is not so new these days. People have learned about it, hopefully by me preaching that this is going to be most appropriate for FUTURE exit strategies, and nobody better to help my stance than the Mississippi Development Authority and FEMA literally requiring it in their books. Repeat after me and go back in my blog to read about this: “The Go Zone or Preconstruction in the Go Zone is a Buyer Beware Market.” I say this because of the negligence a lot of builder’s have to take suggestions from FEMA. Do they think they can somehow outsmart FEMA? Do they think that FEMA just made this up to put on paper? It irritates me to say the least when I go out to Bayside Park and see homes being built on slab. It bothers me even more when I drive out after a thunderstorm and see what the yards look, let alone the front door after just a heavy rainfall.
We are happily now gearing up for Round 2 of the SRAP, and look forward to the near future when they hopefully release this. I will continue to update the blog when approval decisions come out and my customers have money in hand. Developers building on slab, lower than the ABFE suggestion, if the people selling you are making an excuse why they aren’t building elevated, I invite you to the area to interview some tenants that live in the homes that we have done elevated. Not only do they love the efficiency of the space underneath for square footage and covered parking, but living in the south, they know what to expect in the rainy season. Perfect area to do some work on the house, prep for tomorrow’s workday or whatever else.
Conclusion: Affordable raised homes are what the locals like….It’s also what the MDA REQUIRES for the SRAP
Scott Allan is the National Sales Director of NHBA (National Home Builder Advisors) a licensed brokerage. Scott specializes in product development and has the leverage of having his firm being the subsidiary company to one of the nations largest construction lenders. Scott has created extremely lucrative investments for numerous California and New York investor groups. Of the developments Scott has been involved with in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, 90% of his customers homes were rented prior to completion of the home. Scott has been hired by top tier investor clubs around the country to share his knowledge about real estate investing and his dedication to help rebuild the gulf coast and ultimately helping his investors.
