With miles of Atlantic coastline, rich maritime history, and sought-after seaside real estate, Massachusetts has long attracted home buyers and investors alike. But a new threat is steadily creeping in under the waves: sea-level rise and coastal flooding. This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a real estate issue that’s already influencing property values and market dynamics across the state.

In this blog, we’ll explore how sea-level rise is affecting Massachusetts homeowners and investors, what the risks are, how the market is responding, and what you can do to stay informed and prepared.

1. Understanding the Sea-Level Rise Threat in Massachusetts

According to the state’s Climate Hazard Adaptation Profile:

• Sea levels are projected to rise by about 0.6–1.1 feet (7–13 inches) above year-2000 levels by 2030, and 2.3–4.2 feet by 2070 in coastal Massachusetts.

• Because the Northeast coastline is low-lying and subject to storm surge, tidal flooding and erosion risks are elevated.

• The state has developed tools, like the Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer, which map vulnerable areas and help homeowners, planners, and investors assess risk.

Key takeaway: Sea-level rise is not just a distant concern. For many coastal towns in Massachusetts, the risk is already material and evolving.

2. How Rising Seas Are Affecting Property Values

Overvaluation and Hidden Risks

Research indicates that many Massachusetts homes may be overpriced in relation to their flood risk. A recent study found properties across New England are overvalued by at least $10 billion, and in Massachusetts alone by about $4.6 billion.

One factor: flood disclosure laws in Massachusetts are limited compared to other states, so buyers may not be fully aware of the risk before purchase.

Declines or Dampened Appreciation in High-Risk Zones

Other research indicates that properties already exposed to tidal flooding and sea-level rise are suffering loss of appreciation. For example, a study found that coastal homes in Massachusetts lost about $273 million in potential value due to sea-level rise impacts between 2005-2017.

The Market Is Reacting—but Slowly

Interestingly, one study by Yale School of Management found that waterfront home prices haven’t dropped broadly due to sea-level rise yet—they argue the market hasn’t fully priced in risk.

But warnings abound that many buyers may eventually factor in flood risk and adjust their valuations accordingly, meaning future demand may shift inland or to lower-risk areas.

3. What This Means for Homeowners & Investors

Buyers & Homeowners

• If you own or are considering purchasing coastal property in Massachusetts, especially in a low-lying zone, do your homework: check flood maps and risk models. Tools such as the Massachusetts viewer provide important data.

• Understand that insurance and mitigation costs may rise. Some properties may face higher premiums or difficulty obtaining flood insurance.

• Consider the long-term horizon—if you expect to hold the property for decades, the increasing risk of flooding or erosion may impact resale value.

Real Estate Investors

• Look at return-on-investment (ROI) projections and factor in potential hazard costs (storm damage, flood repair, higher maintenance).

• Allocate for resilience/retrofit upgrades—raising the structure, flood vents, protective landscaping, etc.—which can help preserve value and mitigate risk.

• Diversify portfolios to include inland or higher elevation assets, not just prime coastal specs, especially in markets where sea-level risk is high.

Communities & Realtors

• Real estate professionals should include flood risk disclosures and education for clients.

• Municipalities facing large at-risk tax bases may see pressures on infrastructure, insurance, and property assessments. For example, a Massachusetts report estimated that mid-century sea-level rise could cause $104 million in lost municipal revenues annually under a 3-foot rise scenario.

4. Steps You Can Take to Assess and Mitigate Risk

• Use the state’s viewer or local GIS tools to see whether your property lies in a flood-risk zone, and for projected scenarios (2030/2050/2070).

• When buying, ask how recent/modeled flood-hazard data has been factored into pricing and disclosures.

• Consider investing in flood insurance even if you’re not in a federally designated zone—many properties are at higher risk than FEMA maps currently show.

• If you're a homeowner, plan for upgrades: elevating key equipment, adding flood protection, and reviewing landscape and drainage.

• Stay informed about local adaptation/resilience plans, which could influence future infrastructure, zoning, and cost burdens.

5. The Future of Coastal Real Estate in Massachusetts

While prime waterfront views will likely remain desirable for many buyers, the calculus is changing. The homes of the future may need to be resilient by design, factoring in climate-related risk from day one.

Massachusetts is already planning for these shifts through state initiatives and municipal resilience efforts.

For real estate markets, this means:

• Increased segmentation between low-risk and high-risk coastal properties.

• Potential for appreciation disparity, where lower-risk inland properties fare better over the long term.

• Greater homeowner and investor demand for data transparency, insurance preparedness, and structural resilience.

Sea-level rise is no longer a distant scientific projection—it’s a practical reality that is influencing property values across Massachusetts. For buyers, homeowners, investors, and real estate professionals, acknowledging and acting on these risks is critical.

The takeaway? If you’re operating in coastal Massachusetts real estate, value isn’t just about views and location anymore—it’s also about elevation, resilience, preparedness, and long-term adaptability.

Matt Witte strives to be the best realtor in North Andover, MA.

Any questions about real estate, reach out to Matt Witte, North Andover Realtor, MA-