Natural disasters have become a significant factor underlying mortgage default. Further, properties less vulnerable to threats such as flooding sell at comparably higher prices. This class is designed to help Realtors understand the threats that drought, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and sea level rise pose to clients buying or selling real property.

Further, we will discuss what the best available science and data indicate regarding the link between these threats and climate change. Students will come to understand risk under climate change, what the existing uncertainties are, and where to find the best available scientific information. While agents can not be expected to be scientific experts, this course will help agents direct their clients to critical public data sources.

Atlanta REALTORS® Center
Atlanta REALTORS® Center
5784 Lake Forrest Drive
Atlanta, GA 30328

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Doug Bruggeman, PhD
Doug Bruggeman has a BS, MS and PhD in environmental science. Dr. Bruggeman regularly publishes in the peer-reviewed literature, white papers for Federal agencies, and the popular press. He is adjunct faculty at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Michigan State University. At Lenoir-Rhyne University, he designed and teaches a course on the Economics of Sustainability for the Graduate Program in Sustainability. He is the Founder of Ecological Services and Markets, a firm that develops market-based strategies for mitigating the effects of habitat loss and adapting to climate change. Prior to completing his PhD, Dr. Bruggeman also worked as an environmental consultant supporting Superfund and Brownfield re-development. He is also a licensed REALTOR in North Carolina with Keller Williams Professionals.