Buying a house in a flood zone? Here’s what to know
Before buying in a flood zone, it’s important to know the risks and costs involved.
6 min read
Nov 29, 2023
Michele Petry
Senior editor, Home Lending
EXPERTISE
- Real Estate
- Housing Market
- Homebuying
- First-Time Homebuying
- Home Affordability
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, Syracuse University
- Continuing-education courses taken at Poynter Institute for Media Studies
Hire a real estate attorney for any home sale or purchase, even if your state doesn’t require you to. The contracts are complex, and the stakes are high — it’s worth the extra cost to make sure everything is legally buttoned-down.
— Michele Petry
About the author
Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the site’s real estate content since January 2022. Before joining Bankrate she was a writer and editor for StreetEasy, Zillow’s New York City real estate site. Before that, she amassed 20 years of experience on staff at national magazines, honing her skills editing home-based content at House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda (among other titles). Michele earned her journalism degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications and is a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing (SABEW) and the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE). She lives in Manhattan.
Michele beyond Bankrate
Michele wants you to know
Buying your first home is scary, stressful and thrilling all at once. I couldn’t believe a bank was willing to lend a young, clueless me what seemed at the time like SO. MUCH. MONEY. The fact that it was a New York City co-op apartment, with all the esoteric rules and nerve-racking interviews that includes, made it even more surreal. I know firsthand how important it is to have a knowledgeable real estate agent to guide you through the journey — mine specialized in my neighborhood, knew the building I was buying in specifically, and saved me from making a million naive missteps. I’m happy to use my experience and skills to help others achieve their real estate dreams.
Hire a real estate attorney for any home sale or purchase, even if your state doesn’t require you to. The contracts are complex, and the stakes are high — it’s worth the extra cost to make sure everything is legally buttoned-down.
— Michele Petry
Michele's latest articles
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What is an HOA, and how do they work?
Living in an HOA community comes with certain rules and limitations. Here’s what to know.
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Warranty deed definition: What is it and how does it work?
If you’re applying for a mortgage, your lender may require a warranty deed.
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What is a land contract, and how does it work?
Homebuyers with a land contract make payments directly to the seller, rather than a lender.
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Buying a historic house
Owning a historic home can be rewarding, but it comes with a unique set of challenges.
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How to sell a house without a Realtor in Texas
It’s possible to sell without a real estate agent, but it’s complicated.
6 min read Aug 17, 2023 -
Best places to live methodology
What’s the best place to live? That depends on you, of course. Bankrate crunched the numbers in multiple categories, including affordability, job markets and well-being, to determine the best places [...]
4 min read Jul 11, 2023
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Don’t overdo it: Here’s what not to fix when selling a house
Don’t spend time or money on fixing things that won’t recoup their cost.
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Closing costs in Kentucky: Who pays for what?
Both homebuyers and sellers will pay some amount of closing costs in Kentucky.
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Prices still at record levels even as existing-home sales tick up
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‘We buy houses’ companies in Missouri
Many cash-homebuyers in Missouri will buy your house fast in any condition.
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