Zillow home listings no longer show risk of fires, floods, and storms | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Zillow property listings no longer show risk of fires, floods, and stormsComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechZillow property listings no longer show risk of fires, floods, and stormsThe change follows complaints that climate risk scores were making properties less desirable.The change follows complaints that climate risk scores were making properties less desirable.by Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedDec 1, 2025, 11:45 AM UTCLinkShareIllustration by Cath Virginia / The VergeJess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.Zillow has stopped publishing climate risk ratings for sales listings that show the likelihood of properties being impacted by extreme weather, The New York Times reports. The feature introduced by the real estate listings site last year used data from risk-modeling company First Street to forecast which homes are most vulnerable to floods, wildfires, wind, extreme heat, and poor air quality, as climate conditions pose an increasing risk to properties.The change came into effect earlier this month following complaints from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS) regarding the accuracy of First Street’s risk models. “Displaying the probability of a specific home flooding this year or within the next five years can have a significant impact on the perceived desirability of that property,” Art Carter, CRMLS chief executive officer, told The NYT.Sales listings on Zillow now link users to First Street’s website instead, where they can manually find climate risk scores for specific properties. First Street data shows that millions more properties are at risk of flooding compared to government estimates.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedClimateCloseClimatePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ClimateNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsScienceCloseSciencePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All ScienceTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularThe absolute best Cyber Monday deals you can already shopNetflix kills casting from phonesData centers in Oregon might be helping to drive an increase in cancer and miscarriagesThe best Black Friday deals you can still get on AirTags, iPad, and other Apple gearThe indie web is here to make the internet weird againThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in NewsNetflix kills casting from phonesData centers in Oregon might be helping to drive an increase in cancer and miscarriagesDJI ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the USIntel could finally return to Apple computers in 2027Okay, which of you are still using Facebook?ModRetro recreated the N64 controller for its M64 consoleNetflix kills casting from phonesJess Weatherbed10:20 AM UTCData centers in Oregon might be helping to drive an increase in cancer and miscarriagesTerrence O'BrienNov 30DJI ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the USSean HollisterNov 24Intel could finally return to Apple computers in 2027Andrew J. HawkinsNov 28Okay, which of you are still using Facebook?Robert HartNov 28ModRetro recreated the N64 controller for its M64 consoleAndrew LiszewskiNov 28Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesTwo hours agoInfluencers are souring on AI, but some fans are cashing inAn hour agoThese great Cyber Monday tech deals will likely be gone tomorrowAn hour agoA nationwide internet age verification plan is sweeping Congress10:20 AM UTCNetflix kills casting from phonesNov 30The 2025 Installer gift guideNov 30I just want AI to rename my photosThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2025 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Zillow’s Recent Removal of Climate Risk Ratings: A Shift in Real Estate Data and Consumer Perception

Zillow, a prominent real estate marketplace, has recently discontinued the display of climate risk ratings for its property listings, a feature introduced the previous year. This decision, driven by complaints originating from the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), reflects a complex interplay of data accuracy, consumer sentiment, and the growing prominence of climate change’s impact on property values and desirability. The move, reported by *The New York Times*, represents a significant alteration in the data landscape utilized by potential homebuyers and underscores a growing awareness, and perhaps apprehension, regarding the vulnerability of residential properties to extreme weather events.

The initial climate risk ratings, generated by the risk-modeling company First Street, aimed to quantify the likelihood of property damage from various climate-related hazards, including flooding, wildfires, wind, extreme heat, and poor air quality, projected over periods ranging from one to five years. The technology utilized sophisticated algorithms and historical weather data, combined with predictive modeling, to assess the potential risks associated with specific locations. The intention was to provide buyers with a data-driven assessment of property vulnerability, enabling more informed purchasing decisions. However, the feature’s implementation sparked considerable debate surrounding the accuracy and usability of First Street’s methodology.

CRMLS, representing a large segment of California’s real estate market, voiced concerns that prominently displaying the probability of flooding – specifically, the likelihood of a home flooding this year or within the next five years – could negatively impact the perceived desirability of a property. Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, asserted that such presentations could have a “significant impact on the perceived desirability of that property.” This concern highlights a crucial point: the subjective nature of property value and the potential for risk assessments to influence consumer behavior, even when based on ostensibly objective data. The decision to remove the feature demonstrates a recognition that consumer perceptions, influenced by these ratings, could undermine the intended purpose of providing informative risk data.

Zillow’s decision to revert to a system where users can access First Street’s risk scores through a direct link from the listing serves as a pragmatic response to these concerns. This approach maintains the availability of the data, but relinquishes Zillow’s direct control over its presentation. By not prominently displaying the risk scores within the listings themselves, Zillow attempts to mitigate the potential negative impact on property desirability. This shift reflects an understanding of the delicate balance between data transparency and consumer confidence.

Furthermore, the change underscores the broader issue of data accuracy and validation within the real estate sector. First Street’s methodology, while sophisticated, has been the subject of scrutiny and debate. Independent analyses have questioned the reliability of certain projections, particularly regarding the long-term accuracy of climate risk predictions. The concerns raised by CRMLS suggest a broader skepticism surrounding the underlying data and the potential for misinterpretation. It’s a reminder that predictive modeling, especially when dealing with complex natural systems, is inherently prone to uncertainty.

The move also signifies a broader trend of increasing awareness regarding climate change's potential impact on property values. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the demand for data regarding property vulnerability is growing. Zillow’s actions illustrate a response to this heightened awareness, albeit one rooted in a careful assessment of the potential negative ramifications of displaying climate risk ratings. The ongoing debate regarding the use of climate risk data in real estate highlights the challenges of integrating environmental considerations into the financial market and underscores the need for robust methodologies and transparent data validation. Ultimately, Zillow's decision represents a cautious step, prioritizing market perception while retaining access to a potentially valuable dataset, and potentially setting a precedent for how risk assessment data is presented within the real estate industry.