Ampian AI Research
Homebuying guides on true cost, zoning and risk
Last updated:
Free, easy-to-understand guides for U.S. homebuyers on the costs and risks that property listings often leave out. Each guide answers a specific homebuying question using data from trusted sources, including FEMA, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and state tax offices. Topics include the true cost of homeownership, property taxes, heating, insurance, repairs, flood risk, and zoning.
01 · Latest study
Our newest original research.
- Property tax
- Homebuying
Do Recent Home Buyers Pay a Higher Property Tax Rate? A 50-State Study
Using Census data for every state and Washington, DC, we compared the property-tax rates of recent home buyers with those of owners who moved in 20 or more years ago. Recent buyers pay a clearly higher rate in 14 states and DC, a clearly lower rate in 26 states, and show no clear difference in 10.
02 · All guides
Know the home before you buy.
- Homebuying
- True cost
- Climate risk
Ampian AI vs Doing It Yourself: What the Free Tools Give a Home Buyer, and What We Offer
Free data from FEMA, First Street, the county assessor and Zillow each answer different homebuying questions. This comparison explains when the free tools are enough and how Ampian AI adds value by bringing the findings together in organized reports that help homebuyers make informed decisions.
- Climate risk
- Homebuying
Flood and Wildfire Risk Now That Zillow Dropped Its Climate Scores: Where Buyers Can Still Check for Free
Zillow stopped showing First Street's climate risk scores on its listings in November 2025. Here is what changed, where buyers can find free flood and wildfire maps, and what those maps can tell you about a home.
- Homebuying
- True cost
Home Buyer Due-Diligence Checklist: What to Check Before the Offer, During the Inspection and Before Closing
A free, printable U.S. home-buyer checklist in three stages: before you make an offer, during the inspection window and before closing. Includes links to official guidance and free Ampian AI sample reports.
- Climate risk
- Insurance
- Homebuying
How to Check If a House Is in a Flood Zone by Address, and What the Flood Map Won't Tell You
Look up any address on FEMA's free flood map. Learn how to do it step by step, what each zone letter means, when flood insurance is required, what to ask the seller, and the honest limits of flood maps and flood models.
- Zoning
- Homebuying
How to Check Zoning for Any Address: What R-1, RMD and ADU Rules Mean
Five steps to check zoning for a U.S. address, understand common zoning labels, and find the rules for adding another home, with examples from official maps, codes and government guidance.
- Homebuying
- Insurance
- Repairs
Is There a Carfax for Houses? Where a Home's History Is Kept, and What It Leaves Out
A home's history is spread across insurance claims, building permits, property records, seller disclosures and the inspection. Learn how to check each, and why you still need to estimate future ownership costs.
- Property tax
- Homebuying
Will My Property Tax Go Up After I Buy? What Happens to the Seller's Caps and Exemptions
Often, yes. Buying a home can end tax benefits that kept the seller's bill low. Learn how the rules differ by state, which benefits you need to apply for, and how to estimate your property tax before you buy.
- Homebuying
- True cost
The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home: 8 Costs Buyers Miss Before Making an Offer
Owning a home costs more than the mortgage payment. Here are eight costs and risks buyers often miss before making an offer, from the property tax after a sale to heating, insurance, repairs, flood risk and zoning.