- Home Construction Materials, Methods, And Codes Need To Be Rethought NOW
- Enabling Faster Home Permitting In LA Top Priority, Already A Notoriously Slow Process
- Homeowners Are Not Going To Leave LA If Federal, State, And Local Government Provide Actual Solutions
Armchair experts are placing a lot of weight on government mismanagement as the reason for the LA wildfires. I’m skeptical about that, given the 100 mph Santa Ana winds and lack of recent rainfall, which was only 1% of the prior year’s total (that was admittedly monsoon-like). Fixing government response is not the core solution anyway. And it’s not about luck. It’s about reducing the odds of catastrophe. A national focus should be on adapting home construction to climate change. Total damages for climate change catastrophes are rising every year to new highs, so it’s time to think differently about construction methods in these high-risk areas, whether it’s wildfires, floods, or tornados.
The architect of the Pacific Palisades house that survived said they got lucky because the lot next door on the windward side was empty. A new house was just about to be built. But it’s not just about luck. Even so, the goal should be to reduce the risk of catastrophe. How else is the state going to attract more insurance carriers? The state has been browbeating carriers by capping premiums, which is reducing coverage availability already. Here’s a good article on the house that survived (gift link).

Another question is – will people stay even if they didn’t lose their home? (gift link) If it is clear that the federal, state, and local governments are focused on solving the actual problem, then I believe the answer is “yes,” but if it morphs into a political blame game, then all bets are off.
Per Housingwire, like the past administration, the new administration doesn’t seem to understand that the vast majority of housing values are within the land. An open-ended request to cut all regulations isn’t a solution to the actual problem LA faces. The region has become more vulnerable to these climate change events every year for decades.

I don’t know the study referred to, but reduced regulation is a win for consumers as long as it doesn’t endanger their lives. The fact that obtaining a building permit in LA can take years is an immediate problem. LA needs to address this issue yesterday.
Here’s another example of a house that survived the wildfires in Malibu while all the adjacent homes burned to the ground. It wasn’t just about luck.
Wildfires Have Been A Longterm Challenge To LA
The wildfire devastation has been an issue ramping up for years – I’ve marveled at all the clips from the early 1960s on social media. Here is an example – click on the image.

Final Thoughts
I’ve spilled a lot of digital ink on the LA wildfire situation here in Housing Notes recently because it is a proxy for the climate change/housing discussion. Today, wildfires are a threat to LA as conditions remain optimal – dry with high winds. With the thousands of homes and businesses that have to be rebuilt, this is a perfect opportunity to look at building codes and red tape.
Is LA up to the task? Its future probably depends on it.
Oh, and it’s not hard to answer the easy questions.
Monday (on Tuesday) Mailboxes, Etc. – Sharing reader feedback on Housing Notes.
January 16, 2025: Housing Markets After A Fire Or Congestion Pricing
- 1- perhaps this is for a research study by an NYU student- the effects of the LA fires on the NY market. I’m particularly interested if there will be increased demand for housing 1.5-3 million range? Will this be a thing? Will some people move east because they can and?2- congestion pricing- I always personally felt the NJ people had it easy and thought they had it better than the LI/ Westchester people who have to drive through an outer borough to get into Manhattan. As a Manhattanite with a car above 60th I have no issue with every penny these guys pay. And many will inevitably find a write off for an expense anyways. Always appreciate your emails
- The question here is, where did smoke and debris from the fire that went through the Santa Susana Field Lab nuke site settle and contaminate the other locations ? Only the Gieger counter guys know!!
January 13, 2025: Overbuilding Fancy Resi Rentals, But They’re Not (Fancy)
- I really appreciate your newsletters. Thank you for all of your insight and data. Could you share the top 10-20 accounts that you follow on X about real estate? Do you have favorite podcasts as well? I’m mostly interested in NYC real estate but am open to learning about other markets as well.
- I enjoy your weekly housing notes. It’s super helpful!
Did you miss the previous Housing Notes?

Housing Notes Reads
- National Fire News [National Interagency Fire Center]
- Who's on the hook for California's uninsurable homes? [NPR]
- Why are lone homes left standing after California wildfires? It’s not entirely luck [LA Daily News]
- This Architect Explained Why This One House Survived The LA Fires, And The Reasons Are Truly Fascinating
- How Malibu’s ‘miracle’ mansion survived the LA wildfires — thanks to architecture and a little luck [NY Post]
- Fire-Ravaged Altadena Attracts Real Estate Vultures Eyeing Deals [Bloomberg (gift link)]
- New York City Welcomes Congestion Pricing With Fanfare and Complaints [NY Times (gift link)]
Market Reports
- More Americans Than Ever Are Living in Wildfire Areas. L.A. Is No Exception [New York Times]
- Elliman Report: Wellington Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Boca Raton Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Naples Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Fort Lauderdale Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Weston Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: St. Petersburg Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Delray Beach Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Miami Beach Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Vero Beach Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: West Palm Beach Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Coral Gables Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Lee County Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Manhattan, Brooklyn & Queens Rentals 12-2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Brooklyn Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Queens Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Florida New Signed Contracts 12-2024 [Miller Samuel]
- Elliman Report: Manhattan Sales 4Q 2024 [Miller Samuel]