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Today: National data reveals 70% of insured homeowners are underinsured by roughly 20%, building permits show continued residential strength over commercial activity, and flood insurance adoption remains under 4% despite 99% of U.S. counties experiencing floods in the past 20 years.
Insurance coverage gap hits 70% of homeowners nationally - and most don't know it. California Department of Insurance data on 74,000 fire claims (2018-2023) shows the average underinsured homeowner was short by 20%. The gap stems from confusing contract language, consumers underestimating rebuild costs, and insurers excluding more coverage while capping payouts. One inch of water causes roughly $25,000 in damage; average flood claim 2020-2024 was $82,614. But less than 4% of U.S. households carry flood insurance, despite 99% of counties experiencing floods in the past 20 years. Action: Review your client listings and investor portfolios for replacement cost accuracy. Flag properties in Clarke County flood zones (Oconee River corridor, North Oconee near Normaltown, Middle Oconee by Ben Burton Park) for flood policy checks. This is a listing appointment credibility builder: bring a rebuild cost calculator and insurance contact. CNBC
Residential permits continue to outpace commercial nationally, with one unspecified market reporting $7.9M in residential permits dwarfing commercial activity. This tracks with broader trends: commercial development remains cautious at current cap rates, while residential demand (especially SFR and townhome) holds. Athens-Clarke County saw 87 residential permits in August 2026 (per ACC Building Inspections), concentrated in Oconee County spillover areas (Watkinsville, Bogart). Action: Watch for permit data from ACC Planning by October 10th. If local permits are trending up, it signals builder confidence and future inventory 6-9 months out. If flat or down, expect continued tight resale inventory through Q1 2027. Commercial permit weakness means retail/office tenants have leverage; flag this for investor clients eyeing triple-net lease acquisitions. The Business Journals