Flood Disclosures Take Center Stage as Massachusetts Faces a Wetter Future
For 35 years, Denise Kress has woken up to the natural beauty of Belle Isle Marsh just beyond her Winthrop backyard. But the marsh, once a peaceful view, has increasingly become an unpredictable force of nature — one capable of swallowing cars, flooding basements, and turning daily life into a never‑ending battle with water.
Kress has endured totaled vehicles, ruined heating systems, and even hotel stays after her basement froze over in 2018. Yet, she remains — comforted by the same marsh that challenges her. Still, she wonders what will happen the day she eventually sells her home.
“I would want the next owner to know,” she says. “People have a right to know.”
A Push for Flood Transparency
As climate conditions worsen, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is pushing a proposal that could reshape property transactions statewide: mandatory flood disclosures. With Massachusetts being one of only 14 states — and just three on the coast — with no disclosure requirements, the goal is simple: ensure buyers understand the risks before signing on the dotted line.
The proposal is part of Healey’s nearly $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at updating dams, stormwater systems, and coastal defenses. But for real estate professionals, the disclosure requirement is the real game‑changer.
Why Flood Disclosures Matter
Flood histories directly affect insurance rates, property values, and long‑term financial stability. Without disclosures, buyers may unknowingly take on high‑risk properties. Transparency protects consumers while creating a fairer marketplace.
A Divided Real Estate Landscape
Support for the proposal comes from the business community, insurance experts, and municipalities. But one major player remains hesitant: the real estate industry.
The Massachusetts Association of Realtors argues that the rule disrupts the traditional “buyer beware” structure, shifting more responsibility onto sellers. Others believe the focus should be on increasing housing availability before adding major regulatory changes.
Still, economists — including Redfin’s chief economist — say disclosures create a more stable and trustworthy housing market.
Real Lives, Real Consequences
The debate isn’t theoretical. Former Salem homeowner Carole McCauley faced the issue firsthand after a 2011 storm flooded her basement with three feet of water, destroying her sump pumps, water heater, and car. When selling her home later, she did not disclose the flood history.
“I felt like a real jerk,” she admits — an all‑too‑common dilemma when laws don’t require transparency.
A Costly Lesson in a Changing Climate
McCauley says the experience reshaped her understanding of climate change, finances, and personal responsibility. “This isn’t just about science,” she says. “It’s about people’s retirement, their savings… their lives.”
The Road Ahead
Healey’s proposal now enters the legislative arena next year, raising major questions about transparency, safety, and the future of homeownership in a rapidly changing climate.
As one flood expert describes it, avoiding flood disclosure is like playing “a perverse game of musical chairs.” Eventually, someone gets stuck with a home that floods too often to sustain.
What This Means for Real Estate Professionals
Mandatory flood disclosures could reshape Massachusetts’ real estate environment. For anyone pursuing or maintaining their real estate license, understanding these shifts is essential.
At Cameron Academy, we emphasize ethical representation, consumer protection, and staying ahead of industry‑wide changes. For new and seasoned professionals alike, knowledge of flood disclosure laws helps build trust and elevate your practice.
To explore the original reporting behind this story, visit Commonwealth Beacon:
commonwealthbeacon.org
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the mortgage industry, boosting productivity, reducing manual work, and accelerating loan closings. From automated document data extraction to AI‑generated underwriting narratives and predictive analytics, lenders are using new tools that improve accuracy and drastically speed up processing times. With chatbots, next‑gen point‑of‑sale systems, and end‑to‑end automation, preapprovals that once took days now take minutes. For mortgage and real estate professionals, mastering AI is becoming a major competitive advantage—one that defines who will thrive in the future of lending.
Florida’s property insurance rates are finally starting to drop, but many homeowners are still seeing higher monthly bills. The reason isn’t insurer price hikes—it’s soaring replacement costs driven by construction inflation, labor shortages, and rising home values. Nearly 75 percent of recent premium increases came from higher property values alone. Understanding this gap between “rates” and “premiums” helps homeowners—and real estate and insurance professionals—navigate the shifting Florida market and make smarter coverage decisions.
Milwaukee’s commercial real estate market is finally showing real signs of recovery, with 2025 sales volume hitting a three‑year high and investor confidence steadily returning. Driven by selective, fundamentals‑focused buying—favoring strong cash flow, quality assets, and strategic pricing—the city is moving from a period of correction into a healthier, opportunity‑rich phase. For real estate professionals nationwide, Milwaukee’s momentum reflects broader CRE market stabilization and the growing importance of disciplined underwriting and market expertise.
Industry leaders project a major surge in reverse mortgage activity heading into 2026, fueled by rising proprietary products, lender innovation, and strong investor interest. As high interest rates push originators to adopt new strategies, flexible private‑label options, senior‑focused HELOCs, and a wave of big‑capital investment are reshaping the market. With education and policy shifts poised to unlock even more demand, reverse mortgages are entering their most transformative era yet.
Experts forecast that 2026 may bring long‑awaited relief to homebuyers, with both existing and new home inventory expected to rise. NAR predicts a boost in home sales, a slight drop in mortgage rates, and a modest 4% increase in prices—conditions that could motivate more homeowners to list while builders add over a million new homes to the market. For first‑time buyers, higher loan limits and easing qualification standards may make entering the market more achievable than in recent years.
South Florida enters 2026 with renewed optimism as falling mortgage rates, improving buyer confidence, and a strong job market help stabilize a housing landscape that struggled in 2025—especially in the condo sector. While single-family homes remained resilient last year, condos faced price drops, rising fees, and hesitation tied to new safety regulations. With rates projected to fall to around 5.8% by year’s end, buying power is increasing, inventory may loosen, and activity is expected to pick up. Still, affordability challenges persist, Miami’s rental market remains intensely competitive, and the condo sector’s recovery will take time.
The Mortgage Industry’s AI Transformation: Automation Reshapes Lending From Application to Approval Gallery
