Buying a home
Buying a home in Federal Way: questions to ask before closing
Start home insurance during the inspection period, not the week of closing. The inspection tells you roof age, systems and any water issues — the same facts that decide whether a home is easy to insure and what it will cost.
Ten questions to ask
Short answer: Roof, systems, water history, slope, flood zone, earthquake, trees, HOA, claims history and lender deadline.
- 1How old is the roof, and what material?
- 2When were the electrical, plumbing and heating updated?
- 3Any history of water intrusion, mould or sewer backup?
- 4Is the home on or below a slope or bluff (common near Dash Point and Redondo)?
- 5Is it in a FEMA flood zone?
- 6Do I want earthquake coverage, and at what deductible?
- 7Are large trees close to the house?
- 8If there's an HOA, what does its policy cover?
- 9Has the seller filed claims (ask for a CLUE report)?
- 10When does my lender need proof of insurance?
Timeline
Short answer: Quote during inspection, bind once you remove contingencies, send the evidence of insurance to your lender at least a week before closing.
Get a homeowners insurance quote — and if you're also changing cars or adding drivers, see bundling.
Sources
Explanations on this page are general. Your policy documents control what is and isn't covered.
Keep exploring
- Federal WayHome insurance in Federal Way from a local agent who has served the community for 25+ years. Bluff and tree risks, older split-levels, flood and earthquake — and a team you can visit.
- Home insurance quotesGet a homeowners insurance quote from a local Federal Way agent. Two minutes online, a real person follows up, and you see coverage options — not just a price.
- Home insuranceWhat Washington homeowners insurance covers — dwelling, belongings, liability, living costs — and what it doesn't. Get a home insurance quote from a Federal Way agent.
- Home replacement cost, explainedWhy your dwelling coverage should match the cost to rebuild, not market value or your mortgage — and how replacement cost, ACV and extended replacement cost differ.
Ready when you are
Get a real quote from a real person.
Two minutes online. A person from the team follows up — typically the same business day — and walks you through options side by side.