California investigates State Farm's wildfire insurance handling
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the Market Conduct Examination will determine if State Farm complied with California's consumer protection and claims handling laws
by Richelle Hammiel Jun 13
Insurance a top concern as experts predict higher premiums
Over 55% of agents who were recently surveyed by the California Association of Realtors said access to homeowners insurance was their No. 1 concern, more than double from last year
by Taylor Anderson May 9
FEMA held back Direct Lease for LA wildfire survivors. Here's why
Despite more than 13K homes destroyed in the wildfires, FEMA's Direct Lease program was never activated. According to a FEMA spokesperson, housing data doesn't justify the need for it
by Richelle Hammiel May 7
KB Home to build first wildfire-resistant community in SoCal
KB Home, one of the largest US homebuilders, is breaking new ground with Southern California's first wildfire-resilient new-home community, the company announced Thursday
by Richelle Hammiel Mar 28
State Farm seeks double-digit rate hike in California in wake of LA fires
The insurer asked the California Department of Insurance to raise rates by an average of 22% 'to help avert a dire situation' as the company pays thousands of claims related to the fires
2nd LA real estate agent charged with price gouging
Lar Sevan Chouljian of Team Rock Properties in Glendale allegedly offered a family who evacuated the Eaton Fire a rental whose asking price exceeded its original price by more than 50%
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 29
Trump signs water order in California, seeks to add conditions
The president signed an executive order instructing the US Bureau of Reclamation to direct more water through the Central Valley Project and potentially withhold aid if the state didn't comply
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 28
Most wildfire victims won't return to Palisades, Josh Altman says
Former 'Million Dollar Listing' real estate agent Josh Altman predicts that nearly 70% of Pacific Palisades residents won't return to rebuild following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires
by Richelle Hammiel Jan 27
Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag sue LA over fires, water shortage
The reality TV stars are suing the city for its failure 'to properly construct, inspect, maintain and operate its water supply system,' which, they allege, led to the loss of their home in the wildfire
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 24
LA agent charged with rental price gouging as fires continue
Mike Kobeissi said district attorneys had got their facts bungled and that the landlord had rented out the property at a reduced rate once it became known the renters were wildfire victims
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 23
'This feeling is devastating:' Celebs who lost their homes in LA wildfires
Dozens of high-profile celebrities have lost their homes in the Los Angeles wildfires since last week, including Mandy Moore, Anthony Hopkins, John Goodman, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and more
by Richelle Hammiel Jan 17
LA agents implore government to pause ULA Tax in wake of wildfires
Authored by Jason Oppenheim and Ben Belack, the letter, signed by 45 agents, also asks officials to increase wildfire insurance coverage, make an exception for codes and pause property taxes
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 13
Historic wildfires will undeniably exacerbate LA's housing shortage
Rents are expected to 'surge,' said CoreLogic's chief economist. How much of a housing shortage the county faces is unknown as families decide in coming months whether they will even stay in LA
by Lillian Dickerson Jan 10
Agents scramble to find housing for those displaced by LA wildfires
As wildfires burned through LA County over the past 3 days, thousands were suddenly in need of temporary housing. The surge in demand is poised to create a spike in rental prices, agents say
LA communities face devastation amid slew of historic wildfires
LA agents told Inman they were checking in on clients and keeping an eye on evacuation orders while lamenting the 'catastrophic' toll the wildfires were taking on the community and market