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new law in Florida requires sellers to disclose a property's flood risk to buyers, effective October 1st. Prior to this change, sellers didn't have to inform buyers about potential flooding risks. The law now mandates that sellers reveal if a property has filed insurance claims for flood damage and whether federal assistance was granted due to flooding.

    Rose Kemp, president of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association, believes transparency in homebuying strengthens the market. "It's essential to ensure people know what they're getting into," she said. While the law doesn't specifically require disclosure of past flood damage, sellers must reveal any information that could affect a property's value.

    Experts see this as a step towards greater transparency, especially given Florida's increasing storm activity. Kemp notes that the state already requires a Seller Property Disclosure report, which has been updated over time to include more details. The new law extends the flood section, requiring sellers to provide more information to consumers.

    Kemp emphasizes that this law opens a conversation between sellers and buyers about the importance of purchasing separate flood insurance. Even in low-risk areas, homes can still be affected by flooding, leaving uninsured homeowners vulnerable after a storm.