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I think I must be missing something. Hasn't the typical real estate client already chosen a city? So how much can a "climate risk score" really matter to the de

by zahlman 10mo ago

I think I must be missing something. Hasn't the typical real estate client already chosen a city? So how much can a "climate risk score" really matter to the decision?

toomuchtodo 10mo ago
More than 80% of home shoppers consider climate risks when looking for a new home - https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-09-05-More-than-80-of-home-shoppers-consider-climate-risks-when-looking-for-a-new-home https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-09-05-More-than-80-of-home... - September 5th, 2023 Climate risk is a direct influence on future equity gains [1 [2] and homeowner insurance costs [3] [4] [5], so it is prudent and reasonable to consider when making the largest purchase of most folk's lives. [1] A Climate ‘Shock’ Is Eroding Some Home Values. New Data Shows How Much. - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/19/climate/home-insurance-costs-real-estate-market.html https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/19/climate/home-... | https://archive.today/Hf9h9 https://archive.today/Hf9h9 - November 19th, 2025 [2] Trillions in U.S. Home Value Face Major Risk from Fire, Flood and Wind - https://www.zillow.com/research/climate-risk-home-value-34936/ https://www.zillow.com/research/climate-risk-home-value-3493... - March 12th, 2025 [3] About half of Americans understand that global warming is increasing homeowners insurance costs - https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-understand-that-global-warming-is-increasing-homeowners-insurance/ https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans... - September 9th, 2025 [4] Climate change is upending homeowners insurance nationwide - https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/climate-change-upending-homeowners-insurance https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/climate-change-upending-homeowners-... - August 21st, 2025 [5] When Insurers Exit (2023) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41664750 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41664750 - September 2024 (35 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43366311 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43366311 (additional citations) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42450680 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42450680 (additional citations)
- zahlman 10mo ago
  I'm genuinely confused. Do 80% of home shoppers seriously not realize that the climate at one end of a city is going to be substantially the same as at the other end of the city? Or do Americans really relocate that far, that commonly? What's the point of attaching the "climate risk score" to a real estate listing, when it's realistically going to be the same score in every aspect for every listing you consider? From the first link: > While climate risk is affecting attitudes, it isn't to the point where majorities of buyers are considering a move to a region they consider less risky. About half plan to remain in areas that pose the same climate risks they already face. Some are even thinking about moving to areas with more risks. Only 23% reported that they are considering homes in areas that they believe to be safer from the dangers of climate disasters. ... So then I don't understand what they are doing with the information.
  - deleted 10mo ago
    [deleted]
  - xotfy 10mo ago
    In my city at least, fire and flood risk vary a lot depending on exactly where you are.
    - zahlman 10mo ago
      Sure, but the reasons for that can't really be called "climate", can they?
      - xotfy 10mo ago
        I see your point but they are part of the climate score. Maybe it could be named better, but it is useful information to home buyers.
randycupertino 10mo ago
I think it's mainly especially in California because people are not able to get insurance when the climate risk is too high, so it is actually impacting sales. Here's an example of a house in Carmel Valley that's a fire risk, and sat on the market for a long time, had a bunch of price reductions and listing pulled and relisted, finally sold underpriced because buyers were realizing they can't get insurance: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/50-La-Rancheria-Carmel-Valley-CA-93924/19374376_zpid/ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/50-La-Rancheria-Carmel-Va... Lack of insurance coverage pays a pretty big role in the market right now, I have some friends who are paying $30,000 annually for insurance in the La Honda Hills.

by zahlman 10mo ago

I think I must be missing something. Hasn't the typical real estate client already chosen a city? So how much can a "climate risk score" really matter to the decision?

toomuchtodo 10mo ago

More than 80% of home shoppers consider climate risks when looking for a new home - https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-09-05-More-than-80-of-home-shoppers-consider-climate-risks-when-looking-for-a-new-home https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-09-05-More-than-80-of-home... - September 5th, 2023 Climate risk is a direct influence on future equity gains [1 [2] and homeowner insurance costs [3] [4] [5], so it is prudent and reasonable to consider when making the largest purchase of most folk's lives. [1] A Climate ‘Shock’ Is Eroding Some Home Values. New Data Shows How Much. - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/19/climate/home-insurance-costs-real-estate-market.html https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/11/19/climate/home-... | https://archive.today/Hf9h9 https://archive.today/Hf9h9 - November 19th, 2025 [2] Trillions in U.S. Home Value Face Major Risk from Fire, Flood and Wind - https://www.zillow.com/research/climate-risk-home-value-34936/ https://www.zillow.com/research/climate-risk-home-value-3493... - March 12th, 2025 [3] About half of Americans understand that global warming is increasing homeowners insurance costs - https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans-understand-that-global-warming-is-increasing-homeowners-insurance/ https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/americans... - September 9th, 2025 [4] Climate change is upending homeowners insurance nationwide - https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/climate-change-upending-homeowners-insurance https://www.hbs.edu/bigs/climate-change-upending-homeowners-... - August 21st, 2025 [5] When Insurers Exit (2023) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41664750 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41664750 - September 2024 (35 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43366311 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43366311 (additional citations) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42450680 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42450680 (additional citations)

zahlman 10mo ago
I'm genuinely confused. Do 80% of home shoppers seriously not realize that the climate at one end of a city is going to be substantially the same as at the other end of the city? Or do Americans really relocate that far, that commonly? What's the point of attaching the "climate risk score" to a real estate listing, when it's realistically going to be the same score in every aspect for every listing you consider? From the first link: > While climate risk is affecting attitudes, it isn't to the point where majorities of buyers are considering a move to a region they consider less risky. About half plan to remain in areas that pose the same climate risks they already face. Some are even thinking about moving to areas with more risks. Only 23% reported that they are considering homes in areas that they believe to be safer from the dangers of climate disasters. ... So then I don't understand what they are doing with the information.
- deleted 10mo ago
  [deleted]
- xotfy 10mo ago
  In my city at least, fire and flood risk vary a lot depending on exactly where you are.
  - zahlman 10mo ago
    Sure, but the reasons for that can't really be called "climate", can they?
    - xotfy 10mo ago
      I see your point but they are part of the climate score. Maybe it could be named better, but it is useful information to home buyers.

randycupertino 10mo ago

I think it's mainly especially in California because people are not able to get insurance when the climate risk is too high, so it is actually impacting sales. Here's an example of a house in Carmel Valley that's a fire risk, and sat on the market for a long time, had a bunch of price reductions and listing pulled and relisted, finally sold underpriced because buyers were realizing they can't get insurance: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/50-La-Rancheria-Carmel-Valley-CA-93924/19374376_zpid/ https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/50-La-Rancheria-Carmel-Va... Lack of insurance coverage pays a pretty big role in the market right now, I have some friends who are paying $30,000 annually for insurance in the La Honda Hills.