Zillow removed climate risk scores. This climate expert is restoring them.

[Healthy Herrin]

Climate Risk Scores are Back: A California Expert's Quest to Restore Transparency in Real Estate.

In a move that has left many homebuyers feeling less informed, the nation's leading real estate website Zillow recently removed climate risk scores from its listings. The data, which showed exposure to floods, fires, and extreme heat, was pulled after the state's real estate brokers questioned the accuracy of the flood models used by First Street, a company that provides climate risk data to Zillow.

Enter Neil Matouka, a climate policy expert in California who has been working to put data back in the hands of homebuyers. Matouka, who previously managed the development and launch of the state's Fifth Climate Change Assessment, is developing a proof-of-concept plugin that provides climate data to Californians in place of what Zillow has removed.

The plugin, which is still undergoing beta testing, displays data on wildfire and flood risk, sea level rise, and extreme heat exposure when users view California Zillow listings. According to Matouka, the goal of his project is "not perfect data" but rather publicly available information that helps people understand risk.

While Zillow removed its climate risk data in response to pressure from the state's real estate brokers, other sites like Homes.com and Realtor.com continue to show First Street's climate data. However, experts have noted that the removal of this data can be misleading or unfair to homebuyers.

"It doesn't suddenly become inconvenient," said Matouka. "It becomes harder to ignore in a stressed market."

As for why Zillow removed its climate risk data, company representatives say they updated their product experience to adhere to varying MLS requirements and maintain a consistent user experience.

But experts disagree that this is an excuse for removing critical information from homebuyers. According to Chris Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, "The more detailed you get, the less precise your projections are." Matouka's plugin aims to strike this balance by providing users with a general overview of climate risk in their area.

While private data companies like First Street present challenges due to their reluctance to share methods, experts emphasize that both public and private data sources can provide valuable insights for homebuyers. As Jesse Gourevitch, an economist at the Environmental Defense Fund, noted, "People who are making decisions involving risk benefit from exposure to as many credible estimates as possible."

As Matouka's plugin continues to develop, it remains to be seen whether this effort will lead to greater transparency in real estate listings and better protection for homebuyers.

 

[Sham]

I'm like super worried about climate change and stuff... I mean, I get that Zillow removed the climate risk scores, but now California's got its own expert, Neil Matouka, making a plugin to show us what's really going on in our neighborhoods. It's pretty cool that he's trying to provide "not perfect data" just so we can at least make informed decisions when buying homes.

But I wonder, why did Zillow just remove the info without talking to the government or something? Like, isn't it their responsibility to tell people about potential climate risks when they're selling homes? And what's up with these MLS requirements that supposedly made them update their product experience? Sounds like a bunch of corporate jargon to me.

And honestly, I think it's kinda ironic that some companies are saying "we can't share our methods" but then providing data anyway. Like, isn't transparency the whole point of climate risk scores in the first place? Matouka's plugin might be a good start, but we need more companies to step up and provide this info so people can make smart choices.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is all kinda interesting... We've got experts like Chris Field and Jesse Gourevitch talking about the importance of credible estimates, and then we've got Neil Matouka working on a plugin to bring it all together. It's like, finally, some progress!

 

[Horribl]

So frustrating when companies remove data that helps people make informed decisions about buying homes . Climate risk scores are crucial, especially with wildfires and floods on the rise . Without this info, buyers might end up in a money pit or stuck in a disaster zone .

I think Neil Matouka's plugin is a great idea ! It's all about finding that balance between accuracy and transparency . By providing general climate risk data, homebuyers can at least get an idea of what they're getting into . And let's not forget, experts agree that even private companies like First Street have limitations when it comes to sharing methods .

It's time for Zillow to put the data back in the hands of consumers ! After all, people deserve to know what they're buying into . Fingers crossed Matouka's plugin becomes a game-changer and real estate listings start showcasing climate risk scores once again .

 

[Better Baboon]

So I'm thinking that Zillow's decision to remove climate risk scores is super weird... I mean, if you're buying a house, shouldn't you know if it's gonna get flooded or go up in flames? It's not like they're just messing with people's lives. And now this other guy Neil Matouka is trying to put some data back in the mix, which is cool, I guess. But why did Zillow have to pull it first?

 

[Nudist Valkyrie]

omg i just learned about this thing called climate risk scores and i'm like super confused why zillow took them down? i thought that was a good thing? i mean, wouldn't it be helpful to know if the house is gonna flood or catch on fire?

so neil matouka is trying to make this plugin that shows climate data for california listings and i'm like yay! more info for homebuyers? but then i started reading about how some people think the models might not be super accurate and stuff...

i guess what's crazy is that zillow said they took down the scores because of mls requirements, but others are still showing them? like, isn't transparency a good thing in real estate?

 

[Dull Deer]

just think about it... what's the point of buying a house if you don't know what kinda crazy weather is gonna hit that place? i mean, climate risk scores are like super important info for people makin decisions on homes zillow shoulda just kept 'em in there lol

 

[Selfish Shark]

OMG u no w how frustrated i am wen i heard zillow pulled climate risk scores from their listings !! its like they forgot that ppl r makin life-changing decisions based on info provided lol. neil matouka is literally a hero rn he's putting out this amazing plugin to give homebuyers more insight into the risks in cali i hope it catches on and zillow gets back on board

 

[Carefu]

I'm so done with Zillow removing climate risk scores from their listings. Like, what's the point of even buying a house if you don't know how prone it is to fires or floods? Their excuse about having to follow MLS requirements is just not gonna cut it - shouldn't they be prioritizing people's safety over some technicality? And I'm all for Neil Matouka's plugin, but let's be real, we need more than just a proof-of-concept here. We need concrete data and regulations in place to ensure that homebuyers have access to accurate information. This isn't about being "perfect" - it's about not wanting people to get taken advantage of when they're making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

 

[Virtua K]

i think its a big deal that zillow pulled climate risk scores from their listings, i was browsing homes online last year and saw a listing with flood warnings, but then they were gone the next day it made me wonder if people are just being lazy about buying homes in high risk areas or is there something more to it like maybe real estate brokers really do know more than we think

 

[Sim Beat Power]

man i'm so done with zillow right now they're basically taking away a super useful tool that could've helped people make more informed decisions when buying a home... i mean, climate risk scores are like, totally relevant info who cares about mls requirements? matouka's plugin is the way to go imo - it's all about finding that balance between detail and accuracy so we don't get misled by companies trying to cover their tracks anyone else think zillow should just bring back those climate risk scores ASAP?

 

[Night of the F]

honestly i'm so frustrated with zillow right now... how can they just pull out climate risk scores from their listings like that? it's not just about the data itself, it's about the people who are getting hurt by natural disasters they need to know what kind of risks they're taking on when they buy a home. and what really bugs me is that zillow is blaming their brokers for being too demanding... shouldn't we be pushing for transparency here?

 

[Innocent Ibis]

I'm all about gettin' the facts out there! Climate risk scores might be gone from Zillow, but a California expert is on a mission to bring 'em back Neil Matouka's plugin is like a breath of fresh air - it's not perfect data, but it's better than nothin' at all! And let's keep in mind that First Street's flood models might not be 100% accurate , so we gotta take the info with a grain of salt. Still, it's super important for homebuyers to have access to climate risk data . I hope Matouka's plugin takes off and more sites follow suit!

 

[In Search o]

can't believe zillow would just take down those climate risk scores ... but at least there's someone like neil matouka working on a solution like, his plugin is giving people info on wildfire & flood risks and sea level rise and stuff, so maybe that's not all bad it's crazy how some real estate brokers can just pressure companies into removing important data from listings... makes you wonder what they're hiding anyway, matouka's goal is to give ppl "not perfect data" but at least something to help them make informed decisions hopefully his plugin will be the norm soon and not just for people who know how to mess around with code

 

[Lonely Lizard]

omg this is so important!! i cant believe zillow removed the climate risk scores! like what are they even thinking?! matouka's plugin sounds amazing tho, cant wait to try it out his goal of "not perfect data" but rather publicly available info that helps ppl understand risk is so refreshing let's hope more sites follow suit and make this data accessible to everyone

 

[Incredible Oc]

omg u wont believe what zillow did they removed climate risk scores from their listings cuz some brokers complained about the accuracy of the flood models used by first street but now theres this guy neil matouka who's tryin to put data back in the hands of homebuyers he's developin a plugin that shows wildfire & flood risk, sea level rise, and extreme heat exposure when u view california zillow listings and its not perfect data or anything but it helps people understand risk

 

[Barbie's Gun Opp]

The way Zillow removed climate risk scores is just mind-blowing ! I mean, who wants to buy a house without knowing if it's gonna flood or catch on fire? It's like buying an apartment without checking the roof condition . Neil Matouka is literally saving lives with his plugin . It's all about being transparent and giving people the info they need to make informed decisions . Let's keep pushing for better data in real estate, folks! We deserve it!

 

[Drab Dragonfly]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Zillow removing climate risk scores from their listings . It just seems like a perfect example of how the data is getting lost in translation . I mean, if you're buying a house in California, shouldn't you at least have some idea about whether it's prone to wildfires or flooding? It feels like a major oversight to me .

I think what Matouka is doing with his plugin is a great starting point, even if it's not perfect data . At least he's trying to provide some transparency and give homebuyers a better understanding of the risks involved . And I agree that people making decisions about risk should be exposed to as many credible estimates as possible .

It's also worth noting that this whole debacle highlights how much data is at stake in real estate . It's not just about showing pretty pictures or listing prices for the sake of it – there are actual people and their livelihoods being affected by these decisions .

I'm curious to see if Matouka's plugin will catch on and become a standard feature across all listings . One thing's for sure, though: as long as we're not getting accurate information, homebuyers are stuck in the dark .

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

The whole thing about Zillow taking down climate risk scores is pretty shady . I mean, who exactly decided that homebuyers need a certain level of data certainty to avoid making a purchase? It's not like they're buying a house blindfolded or something . The truth is, as long as you're getting a general idea of the area's climate risk, it should be enough to help you make an informed decision.

I love what Neil Matouka is doing with his plugin – it's all about striking that balance between detail and precision . And let's not forget that First Street's data might have its limitations, but it's still a valuable resource for homebuyers. It's just a shame that Zillow felt the need to remove it in the first place.

I'm not sure what kind of "varying MLS requirements" led to this decision, but it sounds like just an excuse . The thing is, climate risk scores are crucial information for anyone considering buying or selling a house. It's not like you can just ignore the data and hope for the best – that's just irresponsible.

Matouka's plugin might be in beta testing right now, but it's already showing promise . I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll become a standard feature on real estate websites soon. The more transparency we have in this area, the better off homebuyers will be .