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The planet is getting hotter and our corresponding weather more intense—and these climate challenges could determine the type of home you’re considering.
This is especially true in coastal regions where flooding is a big concern, or in the heartland, where tornadoes, massive snow dumps, and extreme temperatures can conspire to test a home’s bones.
The fix here just might be a fortress-style home.
Sure, a fortress was once a military stronghold, but weather woes might inspire you to consider the special amenities found in these durable properties.
According to Tony Mariotti, a real estate agent and founder of RubyHome in Los Angeles, there currently isn’t much incentive for builders to construct the types of fortifications in the listings below.
“We’re not there yet with new builds and climate change amenities—it may require specific regulations to make it happen,” he explains.
Still, if you’re curious about a fortress, we’ve pored through listings nationwide to find seven homes that fit the bill. Read on to discover the incredibly strong, weather-resistant builds in each spot and some advice for your own superstrong home.
41800 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA
Price: $57,500,000
What the listing says: “The well-gated .83-acre property is not just a home but a fortress engineered to withstand natural forces.”
Architectural wonder: If you’d like to live in an actual piece of art that won’t lose power in intense rain and mudslides, this massive beauty is for you. It has five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, and more than 8,200 square feet of living space.
Built by famed architect Edward R. Niles, the property comes with 75 feet of beachfront and a separate one-bedroom, one-bath guesthouse. But the most important aspect of this incredible property is that the changing weather has been considered.
The listing boasts that the home has been designed to withstand Mother Nature’s worst. It includes lots of steel, concrete, and an on-site generator so the lights and AC will stay on during big storms.
Malibu, CA
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88 Rose Way, Bridgehampton, NY
Price: $21,000,000
What the listing says: “The home is a fortress—built of stone and steel, not wood, with concrete floors reinforced by steel beams—able to withstand 200 mph winds.”
Beachfront stronghold: Ah, life in the Hamptons is simply divine, especially if you can scrape together the dough for this 10-bedroom estate with 12,300 square feet inside.
Barely 2 years old, this modern fortress has many must-haves for protection from the elements. Not only is it made from concrete, stone, and reinforced steel beams, but the mansion can take a pummeling from 200 mph winds and is purported to be fire-, termite-, and mold-proof, as well.
Bridgehampton, NY
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400 E Bogue Blvd, Atlantic Beach, NC
Price: $1,399,900
What the listing says: “Waterview fortress on the oceanside that was custom-built to last.”
Oceanside beauty: Living on a barrier island along the Atlantic Ocean is idyllic, but you still need to be wary of rising tides and wind.
This pretty three-bedroom residence has more than 3,000 square feet of living space. An old-timey boardwalk takes you to the public beach.
To stave off the elements, this coastal property was custom-built to last, per the listing’s language. Some of the smart amenities here are a solid metal roof and hurricane shutters.
Atlantic Beach, NC
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930 Strangler Fig Ln, Sanibel, FL
Price: $1,395,000
What the listing says: “Elevated on concrete pilings, approximately 8 feet high, this home is a fortress.”
Gulf gem: Sanibel Island dangles off the Sunshine State’s coast in the Gulf of Mexico, just 23 miles away from Fort Myers. This lovely spot is as famous for its old-world Florida charm as it is for the “Sanibel Stoop,” which eager visitors and retirees do when bending to pick up shells on the beach.
This particular five-bedroom home recently received several important upgrades, which means it’s now better able to handle the tough weather that can blow in from the Gulf’s waters.
Among the new additions are a durable metal roof with foam insulation, impact-resistant windows, and concrete pilings that elevate the house to 8 feet.
Sanibel, FL
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6090 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL
Price: $4,999,900
What the listing says: “CUSTOM BUILT PRIVATE BEACHFRONT FORTRESS!”
Sarasota suburb: Here’s another gulfside property situated on a skinny strip of sand on Manasota Key. Future owners can sleep comfortably knowing that the four-bedroom home has been fortified with several important weather protections.
This beautiful property’s listing boasts “the best construction possible,” including concrete walls and 52 concrete pilings that have elevated and reinforced the home. There’s also a new standing seam metal roof that can help prevent water penetration, a generator to power all the rooms in case of an outage, plus hurricane and lightning protection.
Englewood, FL
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7871 Fresh Water Dr, Spanish Fort, AL
Price: $3,900,000
What the listing says: “This home is a fortress built to withstand most anything mother nature can throw at it.”
Rural estate: This three-bedroom fortress comes with a private boat launch and 166 acres of land. It touts all-steel construction and Marvin impact windows.
Nature lovers and history buffs should also take notice, as many types of fauna have been spotted in the area (black bear, deer, turkeys), and this location was the site of one of the last Civil War battles.
Spanish Fort, AL
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6Z-6C Hansen Bay, Saint John, VI
Price: $2,790,000
What the listing says: “This solar-powered fortress overlooking the sea awaits its new owner.”
Island paradise: Many tropical storms have hit the Caribbean over the years, including Hurricane Irma, which destroyed a good part of St. John in 2017. Yet, this five-bedroom, four-bath, solar-powered house purports to have been unaffected by past weather events, perhaps because of the galvanized roof, stone foundation—and a bit of luck.
Seahaven in the Virgin Islands
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Weather amenities for your home
You might already have several devices at the ready to combat temperature drops and accidents at home, such as ice-melting roof cables to prevent frozen buildup and a sump pump in the basement to drain the space, staving off flooding and mold infestation.
But more and more, wildfires are becoming a major concern, notes Mariotti, which means “flame-resistant roof tiles are now the norm” in his neck of the woods.
If runaway flames are possible where you live, he also urges compliance with brush clearance and installing noncombustible siding, dual-paned tempered glass windows, and ember-resistant vents and eaves.
Cara Ameer, a bicoastal real estate agent in Florida and California with Coldwell Banker, notes that Florida homeowners need “good insulation and tinted windows to keep a home cool during the scorching summer.”
Wind-resistant glass is a must if you’re near or on the ocean. (It might be required by code in some areas, she adds.)
“As for flooding, a drainage system around the yard is key, along with keeping those drains clear of debris,” says Ameer. “And consider xeriscaping and drought-tolerant plants, plus gravel-type ground cover to help minimize water runoff.”
The post Is There a Fortress in Your Future? 7 Homes That Will Stand Up To Mother Nature’s Fiercest Weather appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
