How to Minimize Climate Risk When Buying a Home
With climate change impacting real estate, a common question for prospective homebuyers is: How should climate risks affect my decision? And where is it safest to buy?
Insurance costs in some areas have increased rapidly, making these questions especially vital. Here’s some expert advice.
What are the Risks?
Jesse Keenan, a Tulane University professor specializing in real estate and climate change impacts, recommends considering two risk categories:
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Climate shocks: As fossil fuel burning increases, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are intensifying. This raises the risk of your home being damaged or destroyed.
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Climate stresses: More frequent and intense disasters force local governments to increase spending on infrastructure, such as sea walls and storm pumps. That means property taxes are likely to rise considerably.
