Zillow Adds Climate Risk to Home Searches – Forbes Advisor

Do you want to know how at risk your next home is from a climate disaster? Zillow is on it.

Zillow is about to put climate risk front and center on its for-sale listings, giving buyers essential data on flood, wildfire, heat, wind and air quality risks.

Powered by First Street Foundation, a nonprofit organization that uses peer-reviewed scientific research and modeling to measure flood risk across the United States, this tool offers climate scores, interactive maps and insurance insights so buyers aren’t caught off guard after it’s too late.

Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow, says that this tool is designed to help empower buyers.

“Zillow survey data shows more than 80% of homebuyers are thinking about climate risks when buying a home, so it’s a factor for most people,” Divounguy says. “However, it’s one of a long list of factors that play into home buying decisions, and each buyer will weigh it differently.”

Zillow isn’t the first real estate listing website to implement these risk factors—Realtor.com began providing similar data in March. Now, with both platforms in the game, home shoppers have more ways to assess how the elements could impact their dream home—and their wallet—before buying.

Daniel Cabrera, owner of Sell My House Fast in San Antonio, says Zillow’s move to put climate risk information on their site will influence how homebuyers make their decisions.

“As this data becomes more available and transparent, buyers, I would suspect, will avoid homes within a high-risk area unless those homes have been engineered or retrofitted to withstand said threats,” Cabrera says. “It’s also likely to further depress home values in natural disaster-prone areas.”

What to Expect From Zillow’s Climate Risk Data

Zillow’s climate risk information will be integrated into the iOS app and website by the end of the year, with Android availability anticipated early next year.

The new tool includes an interactive map highlighting key risks like floods, wildfires, wind, heat and air quality, which is color-coded for easy understanding.

As homebuyers view listings, they’ll find a dedicated climate risk section showing detailed data about how these risks could affect the home now and in the future.

Zillow will offer tailored insurance recommendations alongside climate event history for homes, so you’ll know if a property has been hit by floods or wildfires before. This combo of risk data and insurance advice may help you plan smarter for long-term affordability and safety.

Climate Change’s Hidden Cost: The Flood Risk Homebuyers Aren’t Seeing

As climate change intensifies, homeowners and markets across the U.S. face mounting financial risks from extreme weather, particularly flooding.

According to an analysis published by Nature Climate Change, a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal, over 14 million U.S. properties are at risk of flooding, with annual damages exceeding $32 billion. By 2050, climate projections suggest these numbers will rise by at least 11%, adding substantial pressure to insurers, mortgage lenders and property owners.

A concerning trend has emerged: many homes in flood-prone areas are overvalued. One study shows that properties within the 100-year flood zone are priced about 8.5% higher than they should be, as flood risks are often not fully accounted for in market values. This has sparked fears of a potential real estate bubble in these areas, as home prices may eventually deflate, leaving homeowners vulnerable to financial losses.

Efforts to address these risks include updates to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is shifting toward risk-based pricing. These changes, along with improved flood risk disclosure, aim to help property owners better understand the real costs of climate risks.

However, if flood risks aren’t properly factored into home values, many Americans could face significant losses in home equity, with ripple effects on local governments heavily reliant on property taxes.

For homeowners, understanding flood risk is now more crucial than ever as climate impacts reshape real estate markets across the country.

Consumer Tips Before You Buy A Home

Do Your Climate Homework

Use climate risk data before committing to a home. Know the specific risks in your area—whether it’s floods, wildfires or heat waves.

Here are a few valuable tools to assess these risks:

• FEMA National Risk Index – Provides a comprehensive overview of natural hazards across the U.S., including floods, earthquakes, and severe storms.
• USDA Wildfire Risk to Communities – Offers detailed insights into wildfire risks for homes in specific regions, particularly useful for properties near forests or dry areas.
• Risk Factor – Analyzes flood, fire, and other climate-related threats for individual properties, giving you a risk score.
• Climate Check – Delivers property-specific climate risk ratings, covering heat, drought, fire, and floods.

Don’t Let Insurance Costs Surprise You When Buying a Home

Budget for insurance when you start shopping for a home—especially with climate risks like floods or wildfires driving up costs. A tool like Forbes Advisor’s home insurance calculator makes it easy to estimate premiums with just a few questions.

And always shop around. Different insurers offer different rates, so comparing quotes helps you get the best deal for your budget.

Sustainable Upgrades Pay Off

Invest in eco-friendly or disaster-resistant upgrades (like fire-resistant landscaping). These can protect your home and improve resale value.

Assess Local Infrastructure

Research the area’s ability to handle extreme weather—look for flood defenses, evacuation plans and disaster relief resources.

When talking to real estate agents, have a few essential infrastructure questions ready. For example: How reliable is the electricity, and how quickly is it restored during outages? What’s the average emergency response time in the area?

Additionally, ask about the city’s water system, particularly if older lead pipes have been replaced, and inquire if the sewer system has experienced any recent issues.