Real Estate Blog

I recently had a client contact their insurance company regarding a house they were interested in the Intracoastal West area of Jacksonville. The out of town insurance company said they couldn't insure the property because it didn't pass their sinkhole test! Well after 20 years helping people buy and sell their homes, I have to say this was a new one for me.

I have had home buyers concerned about mosquitoes, alligators, snakes and even one time our small lizards. But sinkhole?

I am by no means an expert and I gave the client information to contact the local geologist familiar with our area. But this is the information I was able to find online:

1. Sink Hole Map 2008 (none in that area) http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/pages/11100/f11124/f11124.htm

2. Article saying none in that area: http://archive.firstcoastnews.com/rss/article/311250/483/Where-are-all-of-Floridas-sinkholes

3. A list someone compiled of sinkholes from the past decade in Jacksonville. (I don't know the accuracy or that it can be verified):

1. in Arlington (east Jax) on 09/12/05

2. in Moncrief Park (north west Jax) on 05/02/05

3. in Baymeadowes (south Jax) on 02/05/04

So it does go to show you that there are unexpected problems that can pop up in the home buying process. This one is easily solved by going to a local insurance company that we do tons of business with and is familiar with the area.

Have you ever had a weird situation pop up when you were buying home? Let me know...