HOUSTON – The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) has postponed plans to integrate flood risk ratings into property listings, citing concerns over data interpretation and accuracy. However, home buyers still have multiple resources available to assess flood risks in the nation’s fourth-largest city.
HAR had partnered with Texas A&M University’s Institute for Disaster Resilient Texas on their “Buyers Aware” platform, which would have displayed flood risk ratings directly on property listings. The decision to delay implementation was made in June 2025.
“We know the consumer wants this information. They want to know if it’s flooded, or if it is going to flood, or if it’s going to be required to have flood insurance today or in the future,” said Bill Baldwin, HAR board member. “But there were concerns about its accuracy.”
One key challenge was the platform’s focus on land rather than structures.
For example, a property could receive a high-risk rating based on its location, even if the house itself was elevated well above flood levels.
“These risk ratings are all about the land. They have nothing to do with the house,” Baldwin explained. “It was hard for people to understand why my house that’s now 10 feet up in the air has a five out of five high risk rating.”
Alternative resources for flood risk assessment
While HAR has paused the integration of Buyers Aware ratings, several other resources remain available for property buyers to assess flood risks:
Real estate professionals recommend using multiple sources when evaluating flood risk.
“Your real estate agent is the source of the source,” said Lisa Rigdon, a realtor with Keller Williams Memorial. “We’re going to tell you to go to that insurance agent to find out that information. There’s also the official FEMA flood maps. That’s probably the best source of information.”
Due diligence is key
For Houston home buyers, understanding flood risk remains crucial.
Jordan Nicholson, a Memorial area resident looking to buy investment property, emphasizes the importance of thorough research.
“When you’re either uncertain or you just don’t know, that’s going to hurt the confidence you have in making the decision,” Nicholson said. “A reputable source like Texas A&M, who’s using concrete data and reliable data sources... I have a lot of confidence in reviewing that data and using it to make decisions.”
Real estate professionals recommend several steps for buyers:
- Check the seller’s disclosure for previous flooding
- Review FEMA flood maps
- Obtain flood insurance quotes
- Examine elevation certificates
- Talk to neighbors about flooding history
- Consider multiple flood risk assessment tools
Future integration still possible
HAR hasn’t completely abandoned the idea of integrating flood risk ratings.
“It doesn’t mean that we’ll never revisit it, but we decided that we weren’t quite ready,” Baldwin noted.
The organization continues to promote flood awareness through various channels, including billboards throughout the city directing people to HAR’s flood information website.
In Houston, where flooding remains a significant concern, experts recommend getting flood insurance regardless of location.
“I have flood insurance on my home. I’m not in a flood zone, never flooded before, no issues whatsoever, but it’s smart as a Houston resident to have flood insurance,” Rigdon advised.
For now, HAR will continue providing links to multiple flood risk assessment resources on their website while working toward a solution that better serves both buyers and sellers in the Houston real estate market.