Zillow has added a new “climate risks” feature to its property listings. This tool shows the chance of extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, and windstorms over the next 30 years. It assumes humanity will stabilize climate change by 2100.
The data comes from First Street Foundation. They use computer models to determine specific weather and climate risks for each property, including risks to local roads and utilities.
Jeremy Porter from First Street says knowing about climate risks before buying a home is essential. A sudden rise in flood or wildfire insurance costs could really disrupt your budget. You can also check First Street’s website for a more detailed view of potential climate impacts.
They offer estimates of flood, fire, and cooling costs. You can even test how renovations might change those costs. However, some experts say to be careful with these risk estimates.
Climate risks in home buying
Flood risk is tough to model accurately. First Street may also underestimate risks in areas prone to wildfires.
It’s a good idea to double-check flood risk with local city or town flood maps. Another key step is to see if the house follows local building codes, which are meant to help houses survive natural disasters.
The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) has a tool to check local codes. It shows how well a house might hold up in extreme weather and suggests upgrades to strengthen it.
Renovations can really help protect a house against disasters. FLASH’s tool lets you pick the year a house was built to see what upgrades are needed and how much they cost. These renovations can lower disaster risk and maybe even reduce insurance costs.
In summary, it’s crucial to consider potential climate risks before buying a home. Consider any needed upgrades, too, so your investment can withstand extreme weather challenges.
