All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Protecting the Home: Severe Weather and Natural Disasters CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Home Insurance for Natural Disasters?
This CNET personal finance article explores how standard homeowners policies often exclude key perils (like floods and earthquakes) and why supplemental disaster coverage is crucial.
It offers practical insurance strategies for homeowners facing increasingly frequent catastrophes – from evaluating policy gaps to adding flood or windstorm coverage. Real estate pros will gain talking points to help clients ensure their biggest asset is fully insured against natural disasters, avoiding costly surprises.
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2️⃣ Disaster-Proof Your Home
This university news piece spotlights cutting-edge research into disaster-resilient building materials. Professor David Tilotta is developing engineered wood panels and other materials that better withstand floods and storms.
The article explains how many homes today aren’t built to handle severe events and how new materials can reduce rebuild costs and damage. Real estate professionals will learn about emerging construction tech – a great insight to share with builders or clients interested in resilient, durable home features.
Andrew Moore
3️⃣ AI-Driven Weather Prediction
This Guardian article covers a major leap in weather forecasting technology. Researchers have created an AI system (“Aardvark Weather”) that can generate accurate forecasts tens of times faster than traditional models, using vastly less computing power.
Faster, more precise weather predictions could mean earlier warnings for floods, hurricanes, and other hazards. For real estate pros, this peek into the future of forecasting highlights tools that may soon improve how we prepare properties and communities for incoming storms.
Rachel Hall
4️⃣ Smart Homes & the Next Big Storm
Written by a home technology expert on InterNACHI (a home inspectors’ network), this article shows how smart home gadgets can fortify a house during emergencies. It recommends backup power supplies, smart cameras, and water sensors – tech that keeps you connected and alerts you to danger even if the grid goes down.
These upgrades can turn a short-term crisis into a manageable event. Real estate professionals will find actionable ideas to share with homeowners – modern upgrades that boost safety (and even value) in storm-prone areas.
5️⃣ Disaster Resilience and Recovery Strategies
This policy case study series examines how different communities rebuilt housing after disasters. One example is Sonoma County, CA, where local leaders rebuilt quickly while tackling long-term housing affordability and wildfire risk simultaneously.
Another covers Honolulu’s climate-ready housing strategy, and Larimer County, CO’s resilience framework after fires and floods. Each case offers lessons in planning, funding, and building back better. Real estate pros can learn how smart policies and creative leadership sped up recovery – knowledge that’s valuable when advising on rebuilding or community resilience planning.
6️⃣ Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
This FEMA resource page explains how homeowners can leverage government grants to mitigate disaster damage. After a presidentially declared disaster, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) can fund projects to “rebuild homes stronger than they were before the disaster” – for example, elevating a flood-prone house or reinforcing a roof.
The catch: individuals must apply through their local government, not directly. Real estate professionals should read this to understand what federal and state mitigation programs exist, helping clients tap into grants or loans that fortify homes and reduce future insurance costs.
7️⃣ 16 Ways to Prepare for Extreme Weather
This BHG article is a handy checklist of home upgrades and maintenance tips to weather-proof a house. It covers everything from upgrading roofs and windows to clearing gutters. For instance, experts note “the roof is the first line of defense” and should use materials tailored to local hazards (impact-resistant for hail, fire-resistant in wildfire zones, etc.).
Small changes like adding storm shutters or fire-resistant vents can make a big difference. Real estate pros will find shareable best practices here – great for advising homeowners on protecting their property and even boosting its value through resilient improvements.
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8️⃣ Tips for Homeowners After Natural Disasters
From the National Consumer Law Center, this comprehensive guide addresses the legal and financial hurdles post-disaster. It spans FEMA aid and insurance claims to avoiding contractor fraud and mortgage issues. One tip warns that even legit contractors may be backlogged after a disaster, and to beware of “storm chaser” scammers who take advance payments and do little work – a critical caution for homeowners.
It also covers handling code requirements, applying for assistance, and knowing your rights with lenders. Real estate professionals should absorb these insights to better assist clients in the aftermath of disasters, steering them away from common pitfalls during recovery.
Steve Sharpe
9️⃣ Homeowners Insurance Gap & Climate Risks
This industry report delves into the growing insurance challenges as disasters intensify. Deloitte’s research finds that soaring premiums (up 11% on average in 2023) are making coverage unaffordable, and 53% of surveyed homeowners say cost pushed them to reduce or drop coverage, leaving them exposed.
It also reveals an awareness problem – 86% hadn’t used available state insurance programs, mostly because they didn’t know about them. For real estate pros, this piece provides a big-picture understanding of the insurance market’s strain.
It highlights why proactive measures (like fortified construction or public programs) are increasingly important, so you can better guide clients on insuring and protecting their homes in a changing climate.
Managing Director | Deloitte Consulting LLP
🔟 Resilient Construction Standards
This report by Global Green shines a light on the FORTIFIED Home™ standard from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety – a building standard that goes beyond regular codes to strengthen homes against hurricanes, high winds, and more. It discusses how some states (like Alabama) adopted incentive programs; homes meeting FORTIFIED criteria can earn huge insurance discounts (25–50% off premiums).
The report underscores a shift toward preventative upgrades instead of just post-disaster aid. Real estate professionals will find this useful for understanding how stronger construction and retrofits not only protect homes but also offer market benefits (insurance savings, higher value) that they can pass on to clients.
sustainability