Sign In or Create an Account.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy

Lifestyle

This Week’s Hottest Real Estate Listings, Ranked by Climate Risk

Understanding the long-term habitability of the the houses featured this week at The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dwell, and Architectural Digest.

Houses.
Heatmap Illustration/Getty Images

Zillow scrolling has been co-opted by the media. Real estate sections now dominate at The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Dwell, and Architectural Digest. Even theNew York Postis in on the action.

But I can’t scroll real estate listings without considering the climate risk. So in partnership with Habitable, a climate-focused real estate platform I founded last month, Heatmap is putting its own spin on the trend. Below, we’re adding a simple climate risk score to put real estate listings featured around the web in the context of “could you really live here long-term?” It’s a more informed way to dream about real estate. Using a model developed by a team of Berkeley data scientists at Climate Check, Habitable scores each property for heat, flood, drought, and fire risk on a scale of 1-10. One represents the lowest risk and 10 is the highest. Our rating for each hazard is based on climate change projections through 2050. (You can check your own home’s climate risk here.)

We’ve applied the Habitable Index to some notable real estate finds this week. Read on for our list of most habitable to least habitable listings.

1. The Gilded Age Mansion that’s getting a little warm

Gilded Age mansion.Compass

A proper palace across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue in New York City has very low risk other than to your bank account. This $80-million Gilded Age Mansion has little climate exposure, no flooding and moderate heat risk. All that marble probably keeps things cool. (Listed at Architectural Digest.)

Habitable score


2. The Gothic Estate whose biggest concern isn’t the moderate drought risk

Gothic estateMonmouth Ocean Regional Realtors

This gothic estate in Red Bank, N.J. (is that a moat??) is surprisingly not at risk for flooding. And while only a moderate risk for drought and heat, the house does risk overwhelming you with architectural styles and animal prints. $1,575,000. (Listed at The New York Times)

Habitable score


3. A hot D.C. townhouse once owned by the Kennedys

JFK house.Compass

I would easily live in this pristine D.C, townhouse, JFK and Jackie Kennedy’s first home, despite my aversion to hot weather. Posted by Dwell, the $2.6-million house’s only climate risk is high heat — it’s DC after all. If you can take the heat, the place has quite a nice kitchen.

Habitable score


4. The Bill Murray cottage that’s crying out for fans

Bill Murray house.Andrea B. Swenson/Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

Architectural Digest also announced Bill Murray’s adorable upstate N.Y. house — The Manse — for sale. This cute clapboard home has little climate risk other than… why is it so hot? .

At $2,075,000, you will need many fans to survive the hot humid upstate summer.

Habitable score


5. The L.A. beauty that will leave you thirsty

LA House.Cameron Carothers for Sotheby’s International Realty

Living in this mid-century beauty will be super cool (and not hot at all) but with a 9/10 risk for drought, the fire risk (5/10) feels even more real. Habitable? Inhabitable? It’s a coin toss (stock up on water barrels?) because it’s such a beautiful place. $2.6 million. (Listed by Dwell)

Habitable score


6. The $59 million flood plain

Water Mill mansion.Hedgerow Exclusive Properties

Ooh this is going to be an expensive flood! The $59-million Water Mill mansion on 12 acres of waterfront will stay cool but not at all dry. (Listed on WSJ)

Habitable score


7. The $5 million disaster waiting to happen

Sotheby’s International Realty

The WSJ’s headline for this adorable $4,995,000 home on a marsh and tidal creek says it all: What the hell is going on? The house is outfitted to survive floods,the first floor is open and permeable, and the views are insane, but it is South Carolina — at high risk for coastal flooding. Start building the ark.

Habitable score


If you enjoyed this article, sign up for Heatmap Daily to receive our top articles delivered to your inbox Monday through Friday:

* indicates required
  • Blue

    You’re out of free articles.

    Subscribe today to experience Heatmap’s expert analysis 
of climate change, clean energy, and sustainability.
    To continue reading
    Create a free account or sign in to unlock more free articles.
    or
    Please enter an email address
    By continuing, you agree to the Terms of Service and acknowledge our Privacy Policy
    Elon Musk.
    Heatmap Illustration/Getty Images, Tesla

    It was a curious alliance from the start. On the one hand, Donald Trump, who made antipathy toward electric vehicles a core part of his meandering rants. On the other hand, Elon Musk, the man behind the world’s largest EV company, who nonetheless put all his weight, his millions of dollars, and the power of his social network behind the Trump campaign.

    With Musk standing by his side on Election Day, Trump has once again secured the presidency. His reascendance sent shock waves through the automotive world, where companies that had been lurching toward electrification with varying levels of enthusiasm were left to wonder what happens now — and what benefits Tesla may reap from having hitched itself to the winning horse.

    Keep reading...Show less
    Politics

    The Senate Energy and Climate Committees Poised for Big Shake-Ups

    Republicans are taking over some of the most powerful institutions for crafting climate policy on Earth.

    Elephants in Washington, D.C.
    Heatmap Illustration/Getty Images

    When Republicans flipped the Senate, they took the keys to three critical energy and climate-focused committees.

    These are among the most powerful institutions for crafting climate policy on Earth. The Senate plays the role of gatekeeper for important legislation, as it requires a supermajority to overcome the filibuster. Hence, it’s both where many promising climate bills from the House go to die, as well as where key administrators such as the heads of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency are vetted and confirmed.

    Keep reading...Show less
    Spotlight

    Why County Commissioners Matter for the Climate

    Inside a wild race sparked by a solar farm in Knox County, Ohio.

    Drenda Keesee.
    Heatmap Illustration/Getty Images, Screenshot/Vimeo

    The most important climate election you’ve never heard of? Your local county commissioner.

    County commissioners are usually the most powerful governing individuals in a county government. As officials closer to community-level planning than, say a sitting senator, commissioners wind up on the frontlines of grassroots opposition to renewables. And increasingly, property owners that may be personally impacted by solar or wind farms in their backyards are gunning for county commissioner positions on explicitly anti-development platforms.

    Keep reading...Show less