Grateful for the media efforts reminding shore visitors: “We are Open”. Â It’s an important message after months of devastating images and requests for financial help for our shore neighbors to the north.
Prospective tenants ask about the condition of our beaches and businesses; and after reassurances, are ready to commit to a vacation rental. Buyers are able to see first hand as they tour homes and condos. Â We know how fortunate we are to start our 2013 season with such normalcy.
A reporter and photographer from Penn Live (Patriot News of Central Pennsylvania) are currently touring the southern Jersey shore -Cape May to Atlantic City- and posting updates.  You can read their posts HERE , and  today’s post  HERE  (disclaimer- I’m quoted!)
Crawl Space Vents
Re-posting this information (originally posted 4/4/2011). Shore homeowners may face the required crawl space venting issue when renewing their current flood insurance policy. Â Â
I attended an interesting seminar today regarding flood vents (I am such a house nerd).
The cost for flood insurance is based on the elevation of the home (how high it sits off of the ground), and proper venting of the structure.  If the venting does not conform to current codes, the home owner will pay a substantially higher insurance premium.
Basic facts: the bottom of all vents can be no higher than 12″ above grade (for example- the upper row of vents shown in the photo are disqualified); the standard sliding aluminum vents must be disabled in the open position to qualify (not practical in the winter months with exposed pipes); garages and detached buildings must be vented; and if the inside grade on all 4 walls of the crawl space is lower than the outside grade, insurance regulations classify the space as a basement.
Engineered vents (such as SmartVents) are common in new construction, and can be installed to retrofit an exisiting house to conform to code. For more information: http://www.smartvent.com/ or contact your insurance agent.