Authored by Mary Prenon via The Epoch Times,
While nearly one in four homes across the United States are located in areas susceptible to severe weather conditions, many homebuyers are still seeking out properties in these high-risk regions, a July Realtor.com report found.
An aerial view shows empty lots and new homes under construction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 2026. Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty ImagesThe organization's data show that 23.1 percent of America's homes - with an estimated $11.2 trillion in value - are currently situated in areas prone to natural disasters.
The report indicates that, despite the likelihood of flooding, wildfires, or extreme windstorms in some areas, homebuyer demand remains strong, often driven by lower list prices than in nearby lower-risk areas.
"Price is still the biggest motivator for a lot of home shoppers, even in places where climate risk is well known," Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu said in the report.
"But that doesn't mean the risk disappears. It shows up later, in insurance premiums, HOA fees, and financing, often after the sale is already done."
Homeowners in these high-risk locations are already paying a premium to protect their properties against possible damage, a median of $192 per month in homeowner association (HOA) fees, which is 53.6 percent more than homeowners in lower-risk areas, according to the report.
Realtor.com found that Delaware, South Carolina, and Oregon lead the
