An Invaluable Overview for Buyers Concerned About Climate Change

As you may have guessed by reading this blog in the past, we’re big fans of The New York Times breaking down some of the more complicated aspects of New York City real estate for their readers. Their Rent Vs Buy Calculator, for instance, has earned a permanent place in our buyer-education arsenal (but don’t sleep on their mortgage calculator either).

Real estate in New York City is, of course, singular and very different from buying in the rest of the country (you typically won’t ever have to win over a co-op board in Kansas City). That said, New York City is just like everywhere else when it comes to one pressing issue—climate change.

With more than 500 miles of shoreline and a fair amount of aging infrastructure, rising water and storms are a very real concern. New York City buyers need to proactively educate themselves about the risks associated with the homes they’re considering.

In addition to the potential for direct damage, buyers should also learn about the ways a changing climate may have longer-term financial consequences—such as expensive (and rising) insurance costs or future resale issues.

Why We Like The Times’s Interactive Overview

The New York Times recently published an extensive explainer covering all aspects of the home-buying process as they relate to potential buyers’ climate concerns. How to Shop for a Home That Won’t Be Upended by Climate Change takes buyers from the very beginning of the process—what information to look for and where, before you start your search—all the way to how to handle insurers being reluctant to pay out following a natural disaster. It covers nearly everything home-related that should be taken into consideration—from the fence line to the shingles on the roof.

The guide takes a holistic view to the home-buying process and even takes into consideration evolving community attitudes and the ways local laws may impact buyers’ decision-making. In addition to the threat of flooding and water damage, the New York metro area is not immune to other risks—including wildfires and drought conditions. These also affect homeowners and several of those are addressed here, too.

If you’re considering buying, are currently a homeowner, or simply want to be better prepared, we couldn’t recommend this approachable guide more.

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If you’re interested in learning more about the buying process, download our free Buying Into Brooklyn Ebook. We share a ton of valuable resources to demystify the buying process and help you become a Brooklyn home-owner.