Climate Risks Reshape Real Estate
Climate Risks Reshape Real Estate
Climate-related disasters are reshaping the U.S. housing market, with new data revealing alarming projections. A 2025 report warns that natural hazards like floods and wildfires could cost mortgage lenders $1.2 billion this year alone, with numbers expected to surge by 2035. Buyers and sellers alike must understand these risks and take proactive steps in every transaction.
Rising Climate Risk in U.S. Real Estate
Climate change is no longer a distant concern—it’s becoming a defining factor in the real estate decisions made across the United States. According to recent research by the First Street Foundation, the financial consequences of climate-related events are intensifying. In 2025 alone, natural disasters such as floods and wildfires are projected to result in approximately $1.2 billion in mortgage losses and 19,000 property foreclosures. The outlook grows even grimmer by 2035, with projected losses ballooning to $5.4 billion and 84,000 homes at risk of foreclosure. These numbers highlight a growing urgency for both buyers and sellers to factor climate resilience into their real estate strategies.
What Homebuyers Need to Watch For
For homebuyers, the implications are profound. Many popular regions—coastal Florida, California, Louisiana, and inland areas affected by wildfires—are seeing a steady increase in insurance premiums or outright denial of coverage. In some cases, insurance costs have doubled within two years, making homeownership suddenly unaffordable even after purchase. Lenders are also reevaluating risk in these areas, sometimes requiring additional insurance policies or charging higher rates to borrowers in high-risk zones. Buyers need to go beyond location and square footage; due diligence now includes researching flood zones, fire risk maps, and historical disaster patterns in a given neighborhood.
How Sellers Can Prepare and Adapt
Sellers, too, must adjust to this evolving landscape. Homes in areas newly classified as high-risk may sit on the market longer or fetch lower offers unless proactive measures are taken. Transparency is key. Sellers who can provide documentation of recent upgrades—such as flood barriers, fire-resistant materials, or elevated foundations—may gain a competitive edge. In fact, climate resilience features are starting to function as a selling point, especially among younger, sustainability-conscious buyers. Additionally, sellers should be prepared to answer detailed questions about insurance claims, policy costs, and the property’s disaster history.
Lenders and Regulators Respond to the Crisis
Financial institutions and government regulators are also responding to these emerging risks. Some banks are starting to limit their exposure in climate-prone regions by tightening lending criteria or restricting loan amounts. Meanwhile, proposed regulations may soon require mortgage lenders to disclose climate-related risks more explicitly. This could change how homes are appraised and how much buyers can borrow. Municipalities are also beginning to push back, with some cities investing in public resilience projects like seawalls or firebreak zones to preserve local property values.
Long-Term Resilience Now Drives Decision-Making
Understanding climate risk isn’t just a financial concern—it’s a matter of long-term stability. Buyers need to consider not only the initial affordability of a home but its sustainability over the next 10–30 years. Will the home still be insurable in a decade? Will resale value drop due to unmitigated climate exposure? These are questions that used to be niche but are fast becoming central to home purchasing decisions. Sellers, likewise, must look beyond curb appeal and invest in features that improve the climate resilience of their property. From backup power systems to smart water drainage, forward-thinking upgrades can prevent major losses—and help close the deal.
Climate Risk Is Now a Core Market Factor
In conclusion, climate risk is no longer an optional consideration in real estate—it’s a necessity. As disasters grow in frequency and intensity, the housing market must adapt. Buyers should conduct thorough research and prepare for long-term ownership challenges, while sellers should prioritize resilience and transparency. Both sides will benefit from understanding how climate change affects not just the environment—but the value, insurability, and security of American homes.
Jacqueline Lovest
EXP Realty
2603 Camino Ramon Suite 200 San Ramon, CA 94583 (Corporate Office)
Phone: (626) 394-1000, (866) 777-9274
Jacqueline moved to California from Indianapolis, IN with her one child. She now has four adult children and two grandsons and is devoted to God. She enjoys reading, roller skating and thought-provoking, sitting on the edge of your chair movies.
Jacqueline epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work and creative services in every detail of her real estate transaction. She has built a successful career in real estate as a California real estate agent selling homes throughout the Golden State, from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside County. She has worked every aspect of the industry representing sellers, buyers, and banks. She has over 12 years of experience in sales. With her passion for real estate, she understands dedication, compassion, and honesty, to create an environment that her clients can trust and believe she will get the job done. She has a team that has the same heartfelt passion for honoring her clients. She is diligent and committed to providing each of her clients individually with exceeding exceptional service.
Her desire is to make her clients proud and secure with her services that they can invite her to their party without shame. Jacqueline and her team give their clients the information they need to make a smart decision in whatever market presents. Offering guidance and attention to detail that is valued by buyers whether a first-time, seasoned buyer or sellers.
Jacqueline epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work and creative services in every detail of her real estate transaction. She has built a successful career in real estate as a California real estate agent selling homes throughout the Golden State, from Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside County. She has worked every aspect of the industry representing sellers, buyers, and banks. She has over 12 years of experience in sales. With her passion for real estate, she understands dedication, compassion, and honesty, to create an environment that her clients can trust and believe she will get the job done. She has a team that has the same heartfelt passion for honoring her clients. She is diligent and committed to providing each of her clients individually with exceeding exceptional service.
Her desire is to make her clients proud and secure with her services that they can invite her to their party without shame. Jacqueline and her team give their clients the information they need to make a smart decision in whatever market presents. Offering guidance and attention to detail that is valued by buyers whether a first-time, seasoned buyer or sellers.
