The Wiśniewskis bought dream house by Vistula in 2019. View took breath away. In 2024 water reached garage. Insurer refused payout – “flood zone”. House lost 40% value in year.
Not isolated case. Climate change stopped being abstraction. Is concrete factor in property valuation. Banks already know. We agents learn as we go.
GERMANY introduces “climate passport” for buildings. Risk assessment: floods, droughts, heat waves. Building in risk zone? Loan more expensive by 0.5-1%. Or not at all. In Bavaria 20% of properties lost value.
MIAMI is epicenter of changes. Luxury beach villas? Unsellable. Rich move inland. “Climate gentrification” – poor neighborhoods on hills become attractive. Prices rise 300% in 5 years.
In AUSTRALIA after bushfires insurers flee. Whole towns without insurance possibility. House without insurance? Bank won’t give loan. Death spiral for local markets.
NORWAY plans. Every new investment must consider climate in 50 years. Foundations deeper (permafrost melting), roofs stronger (more snow), cooling systems (heat waves). Construction cost +15%, but long-term value grows.
AND POLAND? Thousand-year flood every 10 years. Drought in Podlasie. Tornadoes(!) in Silesia. Government announces risk maps for every municipality. Developers already react – new estates advertise “climate resilience”.
In Krakow concrete changes. New estate in Ruczaj has retention tanks, green roofs, passive cooling systems. Price higher by 8%, but sells like hot cakes. People pay for safety.
INSURANCE is delayed time bomb. Policy for house in Krakow 2020: 800 PLN/year. 2025: 2,200 PLN/year. Some districts insurers don’t want at all. Without insurance no loan.
WHAT GAINS? Everything connected with “green” energy. House with heat pump, solar panels, own water retention? +15% to value. Energy certificate A? Another +10%. Passive? Can name price.
FORECASTS are brutal. By 2030, 15% of properties in Europe will lose significantly in value due to climate. But 15% will gain – those prepared. It’s biggest wealth redistribution in history.
In our agency introduced “climate audit”. Check not just legal status but climate risk. Clients initially laughed. Now thank.
Most important advice? Buying on 30-year loan, think how it’ll be in 30 years. Not how it is today. Because climate certainly won’t wait.
Eternel – Estate Agency
📍 al. Jana Pawła II 58, unit 2.1, Kraków
📞 +48 577 707 032 (WhatsApp, Telegram)
🌐 eternel.agency
📲 Telegram: @Eterneladmin