'I Bought a House in a Flood Zone': Here's How We Don't Sink 'I Bought a House in a Flood Zone': Here's How We Don't Sink Should you ever buy a house in a major flood zone? I did, and here's how I assessed the risks, protect our property, and maintain peace of mind. Janet Siroto, provided by FacebookTwitterEmail One weekend last fall, I was checking out a real estate listing on realtor.com of a cute 19th-century house near a creek. But underneath this idyllic photo, I noticed two words in small, blue print, "Flood Factor," followed by a number,10/10.