|
|
 |
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions: Home Buyout
Can a property owner repurchase the property after the structure is removed and reconstruct according to current flood plain regulations?
Properties that qualify for buyout are located in areas that are almost always inappropriate for development, and within the foreseeable future, structural flood damage reduction projects are not feasible to improve current flooding conditions. Therefore, rebuilding in inappropriate areas would not be allowed. Conditions of certain FEMA grants for home buyout require that homeowners relocate into "safe and sanitary" housing that is not located in the mapped 1% (100-year) flood plain.
Does home buyout include the purchase of vacant land?
The primary purpose of the buyout is to remove flood-prone structures from the flood plain to reduce flood losses. With the magnitude of eligible flood-prone structures and the limited government funds available, vacant land is generally not included in the program or would have a lower priority. However, the Harris County Flood Control District may purchase vacant land either to fill in around purchased properties or in order to acquire the entire property held by a buyout participant.
Does a buyout include only single-family homes, or does it also include commercial buildings, multi-family residences and churches?
All of these structures are eligible for buyout. The program currently assigns a higher priority to residential structures because of interests in the health, safety and welfare of the residents who are at risk and have nowhere else to live.
What happens to the property once it is purchased?
The buyout program includes a planning process to guide decisions about proper use of the remaining land. Once property is purchased in a buyout, all structures are removed, the utilities are capped and the ground is leveled. The land is usually allowed to return to its natural state, and it remains as open space, such as parks, vacant lots, or wetlands.
Can a "checkerboard" effect be prevented, where some homes are removed but others remain?
Buying the lowest homes in a neighborhood may result in an irregular pattern, much like a "checkerboard." Similarly, with a voluntary buyout, the specific homes bought depend on which homeowners volunteer to sell their property. Undeveloped lots do not always have a negative impact on the nature of a neighborhood. Proper planning, including community involvement, can result in attractive open space and help minimize the impact of the checkerboard effect.
What will the effect be on the "quality of life" for residents remaining after a buyout?
With proper planning, a buyout can lead to an increase in the overall "quality of life" of a neighborhood because the adverse impacts associated with flooding are minimized and because the resulting open space is often turned into a resource shared among neighbors.
What should I do if I am interested in participating in a buyout?
The Harris County Flood Control District maintains a roster of those who have expressed interest in a buyout. If you would like to be included on this roster, click here to contact the Buyout Program. We will provide you with a Data Collection Form to complete to document your interest. This form does not commit you to a buyout, nor does it commit the Harris County Flood Control District to purchase your home.
Since the District is going to demolish homes it purchases in the Buyout Program, is it OK for a former property owner or others to take items from a house or yard?
No. The price paid for a purchased property includes all items listed at the time of the appraisal. Taking bathtubs, doors, or plants is theft. The District contracts with a demolition company frequently include salvage rights, and these companies have a right to expect the property to be as described in the appraisal. If a homeowner wants to remove property previously appraised, then the appraisal, and possibly the purchase price, should be amended before closing.
|
|
|
|
|
