Geek's Number Talk: Climate Market Impacts

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Last year, the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a report called Underwater: Rising Seas, Chronic Floods, and the Implications for U.S. Coastal Real Estate. Under their worst-case scenario, rising global temperatures and loss of polar ice sheets will result in 1.8 feet of average sea level rise by the year 2045. That puts around 300,000 homes in the United States at risk. At this point, it’s no longer about prevention. It’s about stemming the tide. Read the report here.

Chic vs. Geek: Underwater Properties

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With climate change heating up and sea levels predicted to rise, are California buyers setting themselves up for trouble by investing in beachfront homes?

CHIC (PEARL)

As the old saying goes, location is the name of the game in real estate, and that’s especially true here in the Bay Area, with long stretches of ocean and bayfront property constantly in high demand and fetching high prices. But coastal properties selling today could be the victims of flooding and sea level rise related to climate change before the end of a 30-year mortgage agreement. It’s clear from this report that homebuyers understand the risk of going underwater — literally. The question is how you measure the risk against the reward.

GEEK (KEVIN)

Did you know that about 20,000 properties in California alone could face routine flooding within the next generation? You’d think that would be enough to scare buyers away. But we’ve come a long way with technology to mitigate the impacts, like reinforced seawalls and flood control systems, and banks are still willing to finance and insure homes at risk from sea level rise. So the market for coastal properties has remained relatively stable. That could change if floods, fires, and other natural disasters become more regular occurrences.

Chic vs. Geek: Preparing for Disaster

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Most homeowners don’t think about tragedies like tornados, wildfires, and floods until it’s too late. But Californians have learned to prepare for the worst.

CHIC (PEARL)

When you live in a region that literally moves and shakes with unpredictable regularity, you owe it to yourself to invest in earthquake insurance. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a reliable resource with a variety of options for owners of single-family homes, condos, and RVs. They also offer policies to protect renters..

GEEK (KEVIN)

You can pay for all the insurance you want, but if you truly want to protect your home and the loved ones inside from the next “big one”, you should consider a full seismic retrofit. Visit the CEA website to learn about the most common hazards and vulnerabilities and how to find a good contractor to help make your home more resilient.

Chic vs. Geek: Before the Flood

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Everybody’s talking about wildfires these days, but how can I tell if the home I’m looking at is in a flood hazard zone?

CHIC (PEARL)

One way is the Natural Hazard Disclosure form that the seller is required by state law to provide in their disclosure package.

GEEK (KEVIN)

You could also look at a map. Find your property using this interactive map of FEMA flood hazard zones.