You Won't Believe How Houston Realtors Are Hiding Flood Risks—What Buyers Need to Know NOW!

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) recently made a controversial decision not to include flood risk information directly on home listings. This choice has raised eyebrows in a city that is rapidly expanding into flood-prone areas, leaving prospective homebuyers questioning the implications for their future investments.

Investigative reporter Yilun Cheng from the Houston Chronicle has dedicated significant time to exploring the complicated relationship between real estate and flooding in the region. “Since Harvey, there have been at least 65,000 new properties built inside FEMA flood plains that were newly developed. So, of course, people find themselves buying into brand new neighborhoods only to realize later that their homes are vulnerable to chronic flooding,” Cheng stated.

In an effort to better inform homebuyers, HAR collaborated with data researchers at Texas A&M University to develop a tool called Buyers Aware. This tool is designed to estimate a property's flood risk and was intended to be integrated directly into property listings. However, after two years of development, HAR’s board reached a unanimous decision to exclude this critical information from listings.

“Ultimately, we decided to not put the information immediately on each listing, that was the determination, but to provide it somewhere, and not only Buyers Aware but the others,” commented HAR board member Bill Baldwin.

Baldwin expressed his support for the Buyers Aware tool, which remains accessible on the HAR flood webpage, alongside other flood risk resources. Despite the inclusion of these tools, there seems to be a reluctance among some HAR members to highlight flood risk on listings. Throughout 2025, the HAR board disseminated various Buyers Aware test products to its members, yet Baldwin noted that they could not secure majority support for including flood risk data in listings.

Concerns cited by board members included the fear that emphasizing one flood risk estimate while disregarding others could negatively impact property listings. “Providing the consumer with the most information was really our goal. The way we were heading, one bit of information was weighing heavier than others,” Baldwin explained.

Interestingly, the team behind Buyers Aware from Texas A&M did not provide comments to ABC13 but indicated to the Houston Chronicle that this recent change of direction was unexpected.

In Texas, home sellers are legally required to disclose if a home has previously flooded. Still, Houston realtor David Batagower advises potential buyers to be proactive during showings. “We’re looking for potentially, in the garage, water lines. Sometimes, that can obviously be a direct indicator that a property has had prior flooding,” Batagower noted.

He emphasizes the importance of asking questions during showings. Potential buyers should inquire whether the home is located in a flood zone or flood plain and whether the seller has disclosed any flooding history. Additionally, asking for an elevation certificate can provide crucial information about how high above the flood plain the home is constructed.

This decision by HAR not to include flood risk data in listings highlights a significant issue for homebuyers in Houston, especially as development continues to encroach into vulnerable areas. With many newcomers attracted to the city’s expanding neighborhoods, this lack of transparency regarding flood risk could have long-term implications, not just for individual homeowners but also for the broader community and urban planning initiatives.

As Houston grapples with its ongoing battle against flooding, understanding the risks associated with home buying in such areas has never been more critical.