A Post-Flood Home Q&A
📍 St. Pete, Florida
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Back in September, David and I purchased our very first home. It’s a cute little mid-century bungalow in the Shore Acres neighborhood of St. Pete. It needed some work, but it was almost half of our intended budget and I just love a good bargain. We moved in at the beginning of October, had some pre-scheduled travel plans, and then… November came. The first weekend of November, Hurricane/Tropical Storm Eta made its way up the Gulf Coast and our entire neighborhood had extensive flooding. The combination of high tide, storm surge, and extensive rain resulted in 10 inches of water inside our home. Excuse the pun, but it was the perfect storm. While our home isn’t quite presentable yet, I’ve had so many questions about our house and process, I’d thought I dedicate this entire blog post to answering them.
Where did you live after the flood?
While some of our neighbors opted to stay at their homes, I just didn’t feel comfortable while our entire home was being renovated. All of the drywall under 4 feet had to be ripped out and the electronics were shot. Extremely fortunate for us, our previous apartment in Old Northeast was still available. Yes, it was odd moving into this apartment for the third time, but it will always feel like home. I’m so thankful to our friends and landlords for renting the space out to us yet again. As February was starting to wind down, they needed the space again for their family that was coming into town. They have been so gracious to us over the past few years, we were more than happy to oblige. Since the house was 90% done, the timing worked out pretty well.
Are you back in the house?
Yes! While some things need to be finished up, the home is livable. It feels so good to be back home. As of right now, it’s still a moderate construction zone. That means it’s pretty dusty and looks pretty empty and unfurnished. I’m pretty confident that it will be fully done by the end of March and I can fully decorate to my heart’s delight. What is finished looks simply amazing! Our kitchen, which was my favorite room in the house, is back to its former glory. The master bathroom has had a few updates that I’m simply in love with. I can’t wait for the dust to finally settle so I can share all of the details.
What’s next for the house?
We’re not quite sure! Truth be told, David is working for a new company which may require us to move within the next few years. Because of that mindset, a lot of our big projects might be put on hold. When we bought the home, we knew that it probably wouldn’t be our “forever” home. Sure, it would be comfortable for a someday growing family, but you never know what the future will hold. Right now, the top task on my list is to give the outside a new coat of white paint for a fresh look. I’m also looking forward to redoing the landscaping. Bougainvilleas, bird of paradise, and hibiscus will all go a long way to adding some life to our little bungalow.
Did you have insurance?
Yes! Because of where our home is, a whopping two feet above sea level, flood insurance was a non-negotiable from a mortgage standpoint. I’m so thankful for it! Our insurance company was a breeze to work with. The most time-consuming aspect of making an insurance claim is documenting all of the damage. David and I had to create a spreadsheet of what we lost and how much it cost. The big things, like our appliances and electronics, were pretty easy to get down. What was really exhausting was all of the odds and ends, namely my clothes that took the brunt of the damage. Going forward, for if our home ever floods again, it would have been so helpful to already have had this spreadsheet created.
Before I sign off, I want to thank you all for the extremely words and support you gave me during this crazy period in my life. For so many, our homes, emotionally, are our most valuable possessions. There’s nothing in the world that can truly prepare you for losing it. My biggest takeaway from this whole ordeal is to count your blessings and find that silver lining.
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.