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The California Association of Realtors (CAR) has published an open letter in several major news outlets to help Californians displaced by recent wildfires understand and avoid common pitfalls as they recover from the disaster, the association has informed Inman.
The letter is being published in more than 45 local newspapers, including California editions of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register and others, as well as Spanish language versions in La Opinion, La Opinion de La Bahia, El Latino and El Observador. Both language editions will be available in digital editions of all newspapers.

Heather Ozur | California Association of Realtors
“The devastation caused by the recent wildfires in Southern California is beyond words,” CAR President Heather Ozur said in the letter. “Our hearts are heavy for those whose lives have been upended, so many of whom are now facing unimaginable losses. Despite this tragedy, we continue to be inspired by the extraordinary courage shown by our first responders. To those who risk everything to protect life and preserve property, we are deeply grateful.
“The next several months will bring untold challenges for so many,” Ozur continued. “As professionals whose core values are tethered to the building of communities and to the meaning that ‘home’ occupies in our lives, we not only stand committed to helping rebuild what has been lost but also aim to protect you however we can. We take this commitment seriously. The immediate housing needs for those who have lost their homes create new vulnerabilities that some may seek to exploit. We want you to know your rights, to stay vigilant against predatory practices, and to report any misconduct you become aware of.”
The letter echoes some warnings that California officials have put forth to consumers in recent weeks, as bad actors seek to take advantage of those who have been left vulnerable by the fires. CAR’s warnings highlight price gouging, fraudulent activities (including fake rental listings) and unsolicited undervalued offers to purchase property in ZIP codes impacted by the fires as things for which consumers should be on high alert.
The letter also points out resources available to consumers impacted by the wildfires, including the Realtors Relief Foundation (RRF), which provides financial assistance of up to $1,000 for housing support to those recovering from natural disasters. Individuals who have been impacted can apply for relief through April 30 at on.car.org/relief. The RRF announced a $1 million grant for CAR to provide disaster relief to support wildfire victims at the end of January.
Homeowners can also take advantage of Proposition 19, the letter adds, which allows homeowners to transfer the taxable value of their damaged or destroyed primary residence once it is sold to a replacement property anywhere throughout the state. The proposition was passed in 2020 and helps facilitate continuity for wildfire survivors during a time of upheaval.
Additionally, the Department of Insurance has issued a non-renewal moratorium on all existing homeowners’ policies in areas impacted by the fires, the letter noted, preventing cancellation of insurance policies due to wildfire risks for at least one year from the state of emergency declaration on Jan. 7.
“This recovery has to be a collective effort, and we all have a role to play,” the letter concludes. “Whether it’s through volunteering, donating, or simply doing what we Californians do best — being there for our neighbors and communities — we will get through this terrible disaster together. Our resilience is one of the defining features of our great state.”
Read the letter in full below (re-load page if document is not visible):
Update: This story was updated on Feb. 5, 2025 with a new version of CAR’s letter that changed slightly the language around price gouging to reflect a new executive order issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom, which exempts some properties from price gouging.