About Rebuilding After the California Fires

Aerial photo of some rebuilds

Over the years, fires have affected large areas in Southern California and Northern California, causing many people to decide what they will do next. Some will rebuild, others will sell their lots and relocate to another area. 

As an example, the Malibu Woolsey fire in November of 2018 burned down approximately 500 houses: the rebuild stats as of January, 2025 show that so far 363 single family homes were approved by the planning authority, 296 houses have obtained permits, and out of the 500 or so homes, seven years post-fire, a total of 182 homes have actually been rebuilt.   

Aerial photo after fire

In the current burn areas of Pacific Palisades and Altadena/Pasadena, many people have already taken the initial steps of filing insurance claim, contacting their mortgage professional, dealing with tax assessor to reassess at lower value and/or postpone property tax bill, are going through lot cleanup, developing erosion control of the lot, and considering temporary housing on the lot. Owners should also find out if they are in a Coastal Zone or other plan overlay which affects their rebuild.  If your rebuilt stays within 110% of approved size, the property is exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and CCC (California Coastal Commission).  Other protection are in place for price gouging, property tax payments, unsolicited offers for amounts less than market value.   City of Los Angeles has approved numerous time deadlines and certain exemptions, such as 7 years to obtain permits and construction completion within following 3 years after permits issued. 

A. Budgeting for rebuild: In the Palisades, an average rebuild sq.ft. price estimate is within $600-$800, with "soft" costs addressing structural engineer, civil engineer, soil, Title 24--California's Building Energy Efficiency Standards--and landscaping. 

The timelines involved for surveys, permits, engineer, building and safety reviews, rebuild plans, rebuild design (you may or may not hire an architect) can take up to 2 years. 

B. In Altadena, the EPA started removal at the end of January, and continued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at no cost to the owner. Private cleanups by owners may cost up to $127,000. A majority of the debris removal should be done by June 30 2025.

Important Questions: What are building regulation requirements for new builds? Various regulations put in place starting in 1963 resulted in more stringent rules for fireproofing. 

See next post for more information on current building requirements. *

*Information and photos in this post from Joseph Spierer Architects presentation 1-27-2025.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

Top 10 Reasons Homeowners Should Sell Their Residential Property in the 2025 Long Beach, California Market

 

Craftsman Bungalow style homes

Selling your home is a significant decision, and the current Long Beach market in 2025 presents several compelling reasons why homeowners may want to take the leap. Whether you're considering relocating, downsizing, or capitalizing on current market conditions, here are the top 10 reasons to sell your residential property this year.

1. Rising Home Equity

Homeowners in Long Beach have seen a steady increase in home values over recent years. If you've built significant home equity, 2025 might be the right time to capitalize on your investment. Selling while property values are still high allows you to maximize your returns before any market shifts occur.

2. High Buyer Demand in Long Beach

The Long Beach housing market remains competitive, with a high demand for properties in desirable neighborhoods. With many buyers looking to settle in this coastal city, selling your home could be an opportunity to get multiple offers and potentially sell at a premium price.

3. Interest Rate Considerations

While interest rates may be rising in 2025, or staying the same, they’re still historically low compared to past decades. This makes homebuying attractive for potential buyers in Long Beach, driving demand for properties. If you sell now, you can take advantage of favorable conditions for both you and the buyer.

4. Relocation for Job or Lifestyle Change

Whether for work, family, or lifestyle reasons, many homeowners in Long Beach decide to relocate. Whether you’re moving to another city, state, or seeking a new neighborhood in Long Beach, selling your property is often necessary to facilitate your next chapter.

5. Downsizing to a Smaller Home

If your children have moved out, or you simply want a more manageable living space, 2025 is a great time to downsize. The Long Beach area offers many smaller homes and condos that could provide you with lower maintenance costs while still offering access to the community you love.

6. Changing Family Needs

Your growing family or lifestyle changes might require a new type of home. Whether you're looking for more space or specific features such as a larger yard, more bedrooms, or proximity to schools, selling your current property to upgrade is an excellent reason to enter the market in 2025.

7. Capitalizing on Rising Rents

With rising rents in Long Beach, many homeowners are selling and moving into rental properties that better suit their financial or lifestyle needs. By selling your home now, you may find a more affordable option in terms of monthly payments or expenses. Please contact me for a list of rental properties.

8. Tax Benefits of Selling

In 2025, there may be certain tax incentives for sellers in Long Beach, including exemptions on capital gains tax under specific circumstances. Don't forget about Proposition 19 benefits for transfer of property tax base. Consulting a tax advisor can provide insight into how selling your home can benefit your long-term financial goals.

9. Avoiding Future Maintenance Costs

Older homes often require expensive repairs and updates. If you’ve been putting off necessary repairs, selling your home before significant maintenance costs pile up might be a wise decision. In a strong market like Long Beach’s, you can probably sell quickly and avoid the hassle and costs of further home improvements.

10. Taking Advantage of Competitive Market Conditions

2025 is expected to be a competitive year for sellers in Long Beach. With multiple buyers looking for homes, particularly in desirable neighborhoods like Belmont Shore or Naples, you may be able to sell at a higher price than expected. In the lower priced areas, under $900,000, buyers are actively looking.

The increased competition from buyers can work in your favor, especially if your home is well-maintained and staged.

To look for your next property, or to see what it selling in your current area, go to my site which explores properties on one of the largest comprehensive MLS's in the country at Property Search

 For a market value analysis for your property and what potential net proceeds might be from a sale, please contact me, I'm available in person or for online help.  Just call, email me or text. And check out the Market Reports on my website below, reports have detailed information concerning various neighborhoods and property types. Check back because it's periodically updated with new reports.

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996

Beware of Rental Scams

Rentals are in much demand, especially for those who have so unfortunately lost their homes in the wildfires and are searching for satisfactory accommodations.

Rental scams have been operating for years, and have gradually become more sophisticated. Some scammers have used active for sale listings that originate from one of the MLS sites, and copy the photograph and address and place it on one of the social media platforms. If a property searcher is at all knowledgeable about the market, they will know that an upgraded1200 sq. ft. house with a $400/month asking price in Los Angeles County raises a red flag.

But still, people unfortunately get taken before they figure out that their deposit money has disappeared into the hands of someone not responding to email or phone calls.

It's very important to not get caught up in a message designed to create urgency, and it's someone you don't know.

1. Email addresses and phone numbers are available on the internet, so beware if you receive an unsolicited message about a property. Look at a phone's area code, and if the sender's email address is made up of  long string of characters that tries to look like it's from a company, avoid responding  to it and delete.

2. Be wary of wire transfer requests for money, cryptocurrency or gift cards as forms of payment. Also be wary if they request a payment through payment apps like Apple Pay, CashApp, PayPal and Zelle, per the Federal Trade Commission. Those are forms of instantaneous payment to the receiver, and you may not be able to get it back. People posing as listings agents or landlords may not in fact be who they say they are.

3. If they refuse to meet you in person to see the property, that is another red flag.  If it's not really a true listing, then they don't have the ability to show it. Request a virtual tour or have a friend or family member see the property for you if you cannot be present yourself. It's also advisable to take someone with you if you do have an appt. to the the property.

4. Back to my earlier comment, be suspicious of an extraordinarily low price posted by someone you don't know. It may be far too good to be true, and it may be one of those "borrowed" listings.  One listing I had was one of those that  got posted as a rental and I didn't find out until I started getting calls for it by people asking about the "for rent" listing. One lady actually drove by my listing and called me, when she realized this was a property for sale, not for rent, just to verify--that's how I found it it was being scammed.

It's a time to be careful, and not lost money on top of all the other problems people are experiencing right now.

If you would like a copy of the recent orders about enforcement of the Governor's rental requirements, please contact me.  If you would like a list of properties in the area that are for rent or lease, I can help you.

 

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996