While fire, floods and drought have always been a concern for homeowners, today’s rapidly changing climate is increasing the risk of damage in more areas than ever, inspiring new concerns not just about probability of loss but also about insurance costs and resale values.

According to the non-profit First Street Foundation, nearly 4.3 million residential homes across the country were deemed a substantial flood risk in 2021. While flood insurance costs continue to rise in typically high-risk coastal areas, changing weather patterns are now impacting homes in previously unaffected regions, such as Chicago with its proximity to Lake Michigan.

It should be noted, too, that while homeowners in FEMA’s designated high-risk flood zones are required to purchase flood insurance, 2017’s Hurricane Harvey flooded thousands of properties not previously designated flood-prone, many of which did not have insurance to help with repairs.

In other regions, extended drought is increasing the prospect of fire damage, placing an estimated 4.5 million homes in danger at high or extreme risk.

As a result, potential homeowners deciding on a home based on common factors, like price, location, schools and commute time, must now add another consideration to their decision: climate risk.

Some real estate websites have already started including flood risk and other climate risks in their listings. Whether they are or not, buyers should be encouraged to investigate a property’s potential risk factors using tools like Flood Factor or ClimateCheck.com.

The bottom line is that homeowners and potential buyers must not only be prepared for the possibility of increased climate events, they should also examine how their current budgets would be affected by the rising utility and insurance costs associated with them.

FEMA’s website provides advice on how to best protect your home from flooding and wildfire. Additionally, new and existing homeowners, regardless of location, should be encouraged to offset related insurance costs by making energy-efficient improvements such as adding solar panels, investing in double-paned windows and improving insulation.

This material is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, no representation is made as to its accuracy. This material is not intended to be construed as legal, tax or investment advice. You are encouraged to consult your legal, tax or investment professional for specific advice.

Source: https://firststreet.org/risk-factor/flood-factor/

About Bobbi Pronin
Bobbi Pronin is an award-winning writer based in Orange County, Calif. A former news editor with more than 30 years of experience in journalism and corporate communications, she has specialized in real estate topics for over a decade.

Bobbi is not an employee of Anywhere Integrated Services or affiliated with its title companies.