23% of U.S. Homes Face Severe Climate Risks, Report Finds
A recent report from Realtor.com® reveals that nearly one in four U.S. homes, representing $11.2 trillion in value, face severe or extreme risks from wind, flood, or wildfire. Despite these risks, buyer demand remains strong in high-risk areas, often surpassing interest in lower-risk alternatives. For instance, homes in Los Angeles County with severe or extreme risks are priced at 75% of those without such risks but receive 23% more views. Similarly, in Santa Clara County, high-risk homes are priced at 78% of lower-risk homes and attract 48% more views. However, the financial impact of these risks is evident, with median monthly HOA fees for high-risk homes reaching $192, a 53.6% increase compared to $125 for lower-risk homes. Additionally, flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) have declined by 4.5% between May 2025 and May 2026, with premiums projected to nearly double over time.