Mississippi Gulf Coast: Zone X and affordable

[Marshall Smith]

Why are Mississippi Gulf Coast properties so affordable? Even when not in a flood zone? If flood insurance the cause??

[Roger Flot]

Its interesting because there is significant infrastructure and rebuilt opportunities to make the area very attractive.  Florida gets far more named windstorms and costs so much more from an insurance perspective, but still draws more investors.  The Mississippi gulf coast offers far more value opportunity going forward in my humble opinion.

I have been focusing on the gulf counties in the last 2 years and there are niches of progress being established in several strategic locations.  While my attention has largely been in Biloxi, the incredible strides being made in Ocean Springs, Pass Christian and Bay St Louis are worth paying attention to.

Its amazing what is NOT known about the Mississippi gulf area.  There are incredible restaurants that rival nearby New Orleans and the casinos are clean and safe and top notch.  Most people dont know that the coast actually has a beach and miles of sand and lots of sunny days with a hospitable population.  Mississippi still has to work on its national reputation but, south of I-10, its an entirely different latitude.

Ive bought 2 SFR in the last year and after I complete this reno, I will probably get another and use for STR as the entire gulf is very STR friendly (there are some pockets in Biloxi that are rejecting them, but the city council is promoting the value and insuring that adoption is in-line with where the city wants to be in 10 years). The overall thinking is forward and open for business and revenue, and thats good enough for me.

All said, windstorm insurance is expensive.  Wrap it into your numbers.  Wind will happen.