A Sign of the Times: Zillow Shows Climate Risk Data for All Active Listings
I was as shocked as anyone to hear that Asheville, North Carolina, had been devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene. It is over 300 miles inland from the Atlantic coast and on the western slope of the Appalachian mountain range. It is 2,100 feet above sea level.
To those of us who comfort ourselves that we are in a haven from climate change, this should be a wake-up call.
Zillow heard that wake-up call and recently introduced a “Climate Risk” assessment for all active listings on its website. At right are charts you’ll find if you search on Zillow for my listing at 48 Lang Street in Twin Lakes, Colorado, at the eastern foot of Independence Pass. I’m only showing the Flood risk map, but there are comparable maps for Fire, Wind, Air Quality and Heat risks by clicking on the buttons you see at the top left of the map.
younger home shoppers, who are driving the market. The median age of today's home buyer is 39, and first-time buyers make up 50% of all buyers. Millennial and Gen Z shoppers who comprise 54% of all home buyers are most likely to consider a climate risk when determining where to shop for a home. Across generations, a majority of shoppers reported taking into account at least one climate risk when looking for their next home.”
Although 86% of Millennials are likely to consider climate risks when searching for a home, the average for all groups is 83%, with Baby Boomers the lowest at 70%. Bottom line: it’s a big concern for everyone, and we need to take notice.
“Climate risks are now a critical factor in home-buying decisions,” said Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow.
It was a year ago last month that Zillow released a report stating that “A clear majority of prospective buyers in each region of the United States consider at least one climate risk when shopping for a home.” In the Midwest the percentage was 77% and in the West it was 90%.
Such risks were of least concern, surprisingly, to prospective buyers in the South, including Florida, but I suspect that may change after recent hurricanes.
The Sept. 2023 report continued: “Climate risks are a major concern for
The data source for Zillow is First Street, which provides climate risk data across multiple industries, including government, banking, and insurance.
First Street’s analysis of the destruction caused by August’s Cat-1 hurricane Debby found that 78% of flooded properties were outside FEMA’s flood zones.
According to Zillow, “First Street is the standard for climate risk financial modeling (CRFM) working to connect climate change to financial risk. First Street uses transparent, peer-reviewed methodologies to calculate the past, present, and future climate risk for properties globally, and makes it available for citizens, industry and government.”
Don’t expect to find climate risk data for your home on Zillow, unless it is cur-
Price Reduced on 2-Bedroom Winter Park Condo
rently for sale. However, you could look for a nearby home that is for sale and find your home on the maps such as the one above.
Years ago, I learned couple important things about flood insurance. First, for water damage to be covered by regular homeowners insurance, the water can’t hit the ground before entering your house. If the water hits the ground first, it is considered flooding and is only covered by flood insurance.
However, even flood insurance does not cover a finished basement. It will cover anything in your basement, such as a furnace and water heater, that serves the above-grade floors, but it will not cover below-grade walls, floors or furnishings.
Climate risk information is currently available on Zillow’s iPhone app and on the Zillow website, with Android availability expected early next year.
Take Pictures of Your Home Before the Snow Falls
Even if you don’t expect to put your home on the market this winter, it’s a good idea to have exterior pictures of your home and yard which the grass is green and the leaves are on the trees. If you have trees which blossom in the spring, make a note to take a picture then too.
“Life happens,” and it’s good to be prepared to show your home at its best.
NAR: ‘Make Your Listings Shine Online’
With ski season just around the corner, don’t miss your chance to make this fabulous condo at 693 Wapiti Drive your home in the mountains. Full of natural light, you'll delight in the open concept living and dining area with windows that showcase the beautiful views. The kitchen features hickory cabinets, an island and granite countertops. There is also a pantry/laundry room on the main floor. Additional features of this unit include a gorgeous moss rock fireplace, a skylight and a private balcony with stunning views of Byers Peak. All bathrooms have granite countertops with hickory cabinets, and the two full bathrooms, including the primary ensuite, have tiled floors and bath. Both bedrooms have double closets. There is an oversize garage with a large locked room for plenty of storage. No more scraping snow off your car! This condo is tastefully furnished and has reasonable HOA dues. Experience the great outdoors just outside your door with a walk down to the beautiful Fraser River for a hike or bike along the river trail that takes you up to the Winter Park Resort or take your rod for a little fly fishing! You'll also be just a short walk from downtown Fraser, which is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars. In addition, just steps away is the free Lift bus line which will take you to concerts in Hideaway Park, skiing & summer activities at Winter Park Resort and all of the events, restaurants & entertainment Winter Park offers. Take a narrated video tour at www.GRElistings.com, then call David at 303-908-4835 to see it.
Golden Real Estate’s Broker Associates
Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) had a newsletter item that caught my attention.
Covid had, of course, increased the importance of making listings more attractive to potential buyers who might not be able to visit the home in person. The newsletter article pointed out that, just like work-at-home, buying without seeing a home in person is still a thing.
It quoted a 2022 survey of 1,000 homeowners by Lending Tree which showed that 47% of them bought without an in-person tour of the property.
We already know that the vast majority well over 90% of buyers begin their home search online and only call an agent when they want to see a home. During Covid, that meant in some cases a FaceTime tour of the home by a showing agent. (We were “essential workers.”)
Americans got so used to Zoom meetings and working virtually during Covid that many of them still prefer Zoom meetings, and that translates into wanting to see a home virtually before making an offer.
What the article failed to mention was
that most of those buyers probably did attend the professional inspection of the home after going under contract, but the fact remains that a good online presence is what got that home under contract.
The article mentioned some of the technological tools, in addition to FaceTime, which have allowed listing agents to dramatically improve the online presentation of their listings, thereby allowing buyers to feel comfortable with submitting an offer prior to seeing the listing in person.
Matterport’s interactive still photos linked to a floor plan was one of those technologies. It allows a person, with their computer mouse, to rotate each still photo 360 degrees and even look at the ceiling and floor.
What wasn’t mentioned, and shocked me by its absence, was the mention of narrated video tours, which my broker associates and I create for every residential listing! What could be more useful than being able to walk through a home with the listing agent describing all its features basically simulating an inperson showing?
Donald Douglas “Doug” Walker was born to Swede and Carol Walker in 1957. Raised on the family farm in Wiggins, he developed a passion for agriculture and livestock at a young age. After his father’s untimely passing, he and his family moved to Greeley, where Doug would go to work for his admired mentor, Harry Wiedeman, who taught him many valuable lessons in working the land and living life. Shortly after graduating from University High, he met the love of his life, Donna Corsentino. Doug and Donna were married in 1978 and in the coming years farmed in Orchard, Colorado and Dalhart, Texas. Doug custom farmed over 1,000 acres, earned high yield awards, and was recognized by Pioneer Seed Company for his accomplishments. While in Texas, Doug welcomed his daughter Jessi into the world and in the coming years moved the family to Fort Lupton. He went to work at Formby Ford, where he would sell cars alongside family and friends for over a decade. During that time, Doug’s son Paul was born and, in the years to follow, he would enjoy raising his family in the community of Fort Lupton, attending countless school sporting events, science fairs, art shows, and talent shows. Doug enjoyed gol ng at Coyote Creek Golf Course, where he was a founding member of the men’s league and also served on the city
golf committee. Doug loved the outdoors, camping and shing, spending time with his beloved mother, road trips, John Wayne movies, and most of all, he loved his wife, children, and grandsons Colten, Bo and Malcolm.
After a lengthy and extraordinarily brave battle with cancer, Doug passed gently in the comfort of his home with the love of his family at his side.
Doug is survived by his wife Donna Walker, daughter Jessi (Jim) Ruby, son Paul Walker, mother Carol Walker, sister Sharon Midcap, grandsons Colten, Bo and Malcolm, cherished sister and brother in laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
Doug was preceded in death by his father Donald Paul “Swede” Walker, sisters Sandra Jean Walker and Judy Weimer, and stepfather Claude Harvey.
Doug’s Celebration of Life gathering will be held on November 2nd from 3pm to 8pm at
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