Staying informed is key for every great Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Broker in today’s competitive housing market. Do you know about one of the latest tools enhancing property search? Zillow’s Climate Risk Scores, launched in September 2024, now provide homebuyers and investors deeper insight into long-term property risks.
But what Is Zillow’s Climate Risk Data?
It offers climate risk assessments for properties across the U.S., measuring the probability of damage due to floods, wildfires, wind, heat, and poor air quality—all over the next 30 years, which aligns with a typical mortgage term. These risk scores are generated by First Street Foundation, using advanced predictive modeling.
For example, a home with:
- A fire factor of 4 = 3–6% chance of wildfire damage in 30 years
- A flood factor of 6 = up to 99% chance of flooding
Why does this matter to those in the real estate and lending industries? Research shows this type of property-level climate data is influencing:
- Buyer search patterns
- Home valuations and bids
- Long-term homeownership decisions
Sites like Redfin and Realtor.com are offering similar tools, supporting the statement that climate risk awareness is fast becoming a core part of real estate decision-making. So what does this mean for Lenders & Agents?
As licensed and experienced Lenders here at Pacific Direct Mortgage, we encourage both buyers and real estate partners to be proactive. Understanding a property’s climate risk profile helps clients make smarter investments—and reflects your expertise and care as a real estate professional. While climate risk scores aren’t the only factor to consider, being informed builds trust, transparency, and sets professionals apart.
As seasoned experts in private money lending across California, we strive to keep on top of market shifts, to provide fast, flexible financing solutions! Whether you’re seeking a refinance or purchase loan, our creative approach to hard money lending allows us to tailor options to your unique needs. When conventional lending falls short, your credit is poor, property condition is rough, etc. then we hope to be your trusted Go-To Source for reliable, alternative real estate loans!
