A small group of investors is betting that climate change will shift housing markets away from high-risk areas in the U.S., despite pushback from conventional investors.
Michael J. Coren reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Climate-focused investors like Climate Core Capital are urging a shift from high-risk areas like Miami and Phoenix to safer regions such as Ann Arbor, Michigan, seeing long-term value in climate-resilient cities.
- Rising insurance costs and infrastructure maintenance in high-risk areas are starting to reflect climate change’s impact, making some homes less affordable and potentially devaluing real estate.
- Investor David Burt draws parallels to the subprime mortgage crisis, anticipating a market shift as the true costs of climate vulnerability become undeniable.
Key quote:
“There’s got to be a reckoning… these prices will have to adjust to accommodate the new physical reality of the property.”
— David Burt, CEO of DeltaTerra Capital
Why this matters:
As climate risks increase, insurance and upkeep costs are rising, which could shift population and investment away from vulnerable areas. Ignoring these risks may leave homeowners with devalued assets in the future, making planning for climate resilience a priority in real estate.
