More Homebuyers Seeking Disaster-Proof Homes

Climate risks are a growing concern of both homebuyers and homeowners, according to a survey by Hippo Home Insurance. Ninety-two percent of homeowners expressed concern about at least one type of natural disaster impacting their property. 

The top extreme weather events that homeowners expressed concern about were: 

1. Extreme winter storms (snow, ice, freezing temperatures) (40%) 
2. Tornadoes (37%) 
3. Flooding (including storm surge) (28%) 
4. Extreme heat and drought (28%) 
5. Hurricanes and tropical storms (25%) 
6. Earthquakes (19%) 
7. Wildfires (19%) 
8. Landslides/mudslides (8%) 

Homebuyers are ready to pay more for these features as well. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they are willing to pay more for a home with features that protect against extreme weather compared to one without these features.  

That number grows to 93% among new construction homeowners. In terms of price, about 20% said they’d be willing to spend up to $10,000 more for homes designed to withstand extreme weather. Seventeen percent said they’d spend less than $4,000, and 16% said they’d spend up to $6,000. 

The top disaster-resilient home features ranked by importance were: 

1. Reinforced roofing materials
2. Impact-resistant windows and doors 
3. Fire-resistant building materials 
4. Advanced drainage systems
5. Elevated foundation or flood-resistant design
6. Earthquake-resistant structural reinforcements