Bruce Matthews, Licensed Professional Engineer, specializes in flood zone risk-management in Illinois.
Questioning if you need flood insurance on a home or building in Illinois? Are you buying or selling a property in a flood zone and flood insurance could be a deal-breaker? Are you in a flood zone and don’t think that you should be? Is your lender requiring flood insurance?
Bruce Matthews, Licensed Professional Engineer, specializes in flood zone risk-management in Illinois and analyzes your property’s flood risk. Through meticulous research and on-site surveying, Bruce’s findings often lead to a reduction in or the elimination of flood insurance.
How can I determine if my Illinois property should or should not be in a FEMA flood zone?
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps are the core reference for determining if your home is located in a flood zone. If so, your lender will require flood insurance. However, maps are only two dimensions. By adding the third dimension, three elevations can potentially reclassify the flood risk saving thousands of dollars in insurance premiums. But how do you navigate the process to be removed from a flood zone?
Contact Bruce Matthews for a Flood Zone Analysis.
Bruce will perform a thorough site analysis beginning with an Site Evaluation to determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) with precise, on-site measurements. If the property in question is above the BFE, Bruce will issue a certified Elevation Certificate with the new data. If the property is below the BFE, Bruce can offer solutions to amend the site’s flood risk. He will then submit a Letter of Map Change (LOMC). If FEMA determines that the property does not pose a flood risk, the documents can be given to your lender to request a flood insurance waiver or a reduction in rates.
Ask Bruce for a FREE CONSULTATION
Contact Bruce at 618.599.5343 or submit this form for a free preliminary flood zone review. If the potential exists for a LOMC, a quote will be provided for a complete Flood Zone Analysis.
What do homeowners, realtors, lenders, and commercial developers say about Bruce Matthews?
“Bruce is my GO TO floodplain guy!! He knows the rules and has assisted many clients get a LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) saving them thousands of dollars in flood insurance! Bruce is so knowledgeable and helpful. He is the best.“
Lisa Sanford
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services / Speckman Realty, Bourbonnais, Illinois
“There are so many recommendations that I could write for Bruce, he has helped me and clients so many times. I’ll mention two things in particular.“
“I remember one time we had a lunch and learn and Paul Osman, the State of Illinois Floodplain Coordinator, was there to talk about flood plains, LOMA’s, and more. There was a room full of Realtors and some engineers and surveyors. Bruce and I were standing in the back of the room. When Paul had questions, he looked through the room for Bruce and asked Bruce questions. That’s the kind of respect and knowledge base Bruce Matthews has in regards to floodplains.“
“Also, Bruce has helped me sell homes for my clients for more money than they would be able to otherwise. If you can reduce or eliminate a payment of $2,000/year, for instance, for flood insurance that can reduce a buyer’s payment by more than $150 a month; reducing a buyer’s payment by $150 a month can add about $25,000 to the price of a home at today’s interest rates. Stated another way, that additional $150 a month reduces the price a buyer will pay by $25,000. If people can pay more money that goes toward their payments rather than flood insurance, that can be a huge payback for buyers AND sellers! That is an easy decision for most sellers!“
“Bruce Matthews is one of my secrets. Now YOU know!“
Berry McCracken
Coldwell Banker Realty, Bradley, Illinois
“I have known Bruce for over 20 years. Bruce has a one-in-a-kind understanding of floodplain management and a keen eye for natural topography. He is one of the best in the state at identifying flood risk and resolving difficult or unique flood issues. He has helped countless numbers of people reduce their flood insurance premiums or get properties removed from the mapped floodplain. Bruce is also very active in the state flood association and has a network of associates who can assist in resolving difficult issues when needed.“
Paul Osman
State of Illinois Floodplain Programs Chief (retired)