Climate Risk Guides for Homebuyers
Expert guides to help you evaluate climate risks and make informed home buying decisions
Start with a Climate Risk Assessment
Check climate risk scores before diving into detailed guides
Essential Homebuyer Guides
First-Time Homebuyer Climate Guide
Essential climate risk considerations for first-time homebuyers, including what to look for and questions to ask.
Climate Risk & Home Insurance
How climate risks affect insurance availability, premiums, and what you can do to reduce costs.
Flood Risk Assessment for Homebuyers
Master FEMA flood zones, flood insurance requirements, and property evaluation techniques to protect your investment.
Wildfire-Resistant Home Buying
Essential guidance for purchasing in wildfire-prone areas, from WUI zones to defensible space and fire-resistant construction.
Coastal Property Climate Risks
Comprehensive guide to buying coastal real estate: hurricane zones, storm surge, sea level rise, erosion, and insurance challenges.
Regional Climate Risk Guides
Location-specific guidance for major climate risk regions
California
Navigate wildfire, earthquake, and drought risks in the Golden State
PRIMARY RISKS:
Florida
Understand hurricane zones, flood insurance, and coastal erosion in Florida
PRIMARY RISKS:
Gulf Coast
Assess hurricane and flood risks from Texas to Louisiana
PRIMARY RISKS:
Pacific Northwest
Evaluate Cascadia earthquake, wildfire, and flood risks in Oregon and Washington
PRIMARY RISKS:
Northeast
Coastal flooding and storm risks in New England and Mid-Atlantic states
PRIMARY RISKS:
Southwest
Extreme heat and water scarcity considerations for Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico
PRIMARY RISKS:
Climate Risk Homebuying Checklist
A comprehensive checklist to ensure you evaluate all climate risks during your home search
Before You Search
- Define your climate risk tolerance level
- Research climate trends in target areas
- Understand which risks matter most to you
- Set a budget that includes potential insurance costs
During Property Research
- Check ClimateRiskHomes.com scores for each address
- Review FEMA flood maps and flood zone designations
- Research wildfire hazard zones if applicable
- Look up local air quality and heat island data
- Check earthquake probability for the area
- Review historical disaster records
During Property Visits
- Observe property elevation and drainage
- Check for fire-resistant landscaping and materials
- Assess proximity to water bodies and fire fuels
- Look for previous damage or repairs
- Evaluate storm protection features
- Ask neighbors about climate events and impacts
Before Making an Offer
- Get quotes for homeowners and flood insurance
- Review property disclosure statements carefully
- Check for past insurance claims on the property
- Request elevation certificates if in flood zone
- Hire inspectors familiar with climate risks
- Review local building codes and restrictions
After Purchase
- Purchase adequate insurance coverage
- Create an emergency preparedness plan
- Install climate risk monitoring systems
- Make recommended resilience upgrades
- Join community disaster preparedness programs
- Stay informed about changing risk conditions
Common Climate Risk Questions
Should I avoid buying in high climate risk areas?
Not necessarily. Higher risk areas can still be good investments with proper precautions. Understand the specific risks, ensure you can afford appropriate insurance, and verify the property has protective features. Some high-risk areas have strong building codes and mitigation measures that reduce actual danger.
How do I know if climate risks will affect my property value?
Research local market trends and recent sales in similar risk zones. Areas with increasing insurance costs or repeated disasters may see value impacts. Coastal properties face particular scrutiny due to sea level rise. A local real estate agent familiar with climate issues can provide market-specific guidance.
What climate risk questions should I ask the seller?
Ask about past flooding, wildfire evacuations, or storm damage. Request documentation of any repairs or mitigation improvements. Ask about insurance costs and whether flood insurance is required. Inquire about any special assessments for community flood control or fire protection systems.
Is flood insurance required for all properties?
Flood insurance is required by mortgage lenders for properties in FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Even outside these zones, flooding is possible - about 25% of flood claims come from lower-risk areas. Consider purchasing flood insurance regardless of zone designation.
Can I reduce climate risks after buying?
Yes. Many climate risks can be mitigated through property improvements: elevating systems above flood levels, creating defensible space around homes in fire zones, seismic retrofitting in earthquake areas, and installing storm shutters in hurricane regions. These improvements can also lower insurance costs.
Ready to Check Climate Risk?
Get instant climate risk scores for any property you're considering