Zillow Removes Climate Risk Scores. Here Is Why Local Expertise Matters More Than Ever

The real estate world saw a major shift this week when Zillow removed climate risk scores from home listings. These scores, which included flood risk, wildfire exposure, extreme heat, and storm wind data, were provided by First Street, a nonprofit known for climate modeling. For many buyers, this information looked helpful on the surface. But for those of us working day to day in the local market, these automated risk scores have been creating confusion and even causing deals to fall apart.

Today, I want to break down what this change really means for buyers and sellers in Metro Detroit and why real, verifiable information from a local real estate expert matters more than ever.

What Happened and Why It Matters

For the past few years, Zillow displayed climate risk scores on every listing. The idea was simple: help homebuyers understand potential long term climate exposure. But these scores were created through national level data models. They were not tied to local zoning, local floodplain maps, or specific community conditions. In many areas across the country, these scores have caused panic, confusion, or misinformation.

This month, after significant pressure from CRMLS and other real estate listing services, Zillow removed these climate risk features entirely. The concern was straightforward: the scores were often inaccurate, poorly understood, and created barriers for buyers who did not have the tools to verify what was true and what was not.

When Inaccurate Online Data Kills a Real Sale

I know how damaging this information can be because I lived it with one of my sellers last year here in the Northville and Novi area. A major third party site incorrectly labeled the property as a high risk flood zone. This was completely inaccurate. I pulled the official FEMA floodplain report which clearly showed that there was no flood risk at all. I walked the buyer through the verified data, provided documentation, and answered every question.

But the buyer trusted the automated online score instead of the real information. And the deal fell apart over something that was simply not true.

This is not theory. This is the real impact of inaccurate third party climate data. It cost my clients money, time, and peace of mind.

What Buyers and Sellers Should Understand

Real estate decisions should never be based on automated climate scores or national level data feeds. Metro Detroit does not operate on the same geographic or environmental conditions as coastal regions or wildfire prone states. Local maps, local zoning, city records, and FEMA reports provide a far more accurate picture of a property’s real risk.

And this is exactly where having an experienced local real estate advisor makes all the difference.

Why Local Expertise is More Valuable Than Ever

Whether you are buying or selling in Northville, Novi, South Lyon, Plymouth, or anywhere in Metro Detroit, real guidance matters. A trusted local real estate expert can:

• Verify property level data using local records and FEMA reports
• Clarify which online claims are accurate and which are misleading
• Protect you from deals falling apart due to incorrect information
• Provide neighborhood specific insight that national models cannot deliver
• Help you make the most confident and informed decision

The goal is simple. Replace confusion with clarity. Replace inaccurate data with verified information. And help you move forward with confidence.

Your Next Step

If you want clarity on any home you are considering buying or selling in Metro Detroit, reach out anytime. I am here to help you navigate real information, understand what matters, and make the smartest move for your future.

Your real estate decisions deserve accuracy, not automated guesses.