A Climate ‘Shock’ Is Eroding Some Home Values. New Data Shows How Much. [US data]

Canadians will have to live with the idea that humanity has failed to avoid a 1.5 C increase in temperature. We’re on course for more violent storms and other climate related challenges. Sadly, we cannot avoid the worst that Climate Change has in store for us, but we can at least start to either incentivize or impose stronger standards to building practices.

These can include neighbourhoods with more robust water engineering/control, resilient roofs, doors, windows, fences against wind or fire, and a re-evaluation of how appropriate it is building 6+ storey condominiums out of wood.

She considered selling, but found herself in a dilemma. As insurance costs have risen, area home values have fallen, dropping by 38 percent since 2020. The roadsides around her house are dotted with for-sale signs.

“They won’t insure you,” Ms. Rojas said. “No one will buy from you. You’re kind of stuck where you are.”

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“Homeowners don’t appreciate or don’t understand that we are living in a much riskier world than we were 25 years ago,” Dr. Keys said. “And that risk? They have to pay for it.”

After analyzing 74 million home payments — which included mortgage, taxes and insurance and were made between 2014 and 2024 — the researchers found that a rapid repricing of disaster risk had been responsible for about a fifth of overall home insurance increases since 2017. Another third could be explained by rising construction costs.