Talking to Homebuyers about Wildfire Hazards
Wildfires have become one of the many natural disasters wreaking havoc across the United States and causing problems for property owners when it comes to obtaining insurance.
Buying a house is one of the largest monetary purchases people will make in their lifetime. Prospective homeowners are going to have some questions concerning the safety of the home, because they have spent most of their lives maintaining good credit and saving money for these big time investments.
As a real estate agent, you can help ease their concerns.
Homeowner Fire Risk Concerns
It’s human nature for people to want to live in place that makes them feel at-home. And while many people would question why someone would want to live in an area that may have wildfires, the reasons may be personal to the homeowner. Sometimes it’s because they grew up around the area, which hadn’t been in a wildfire area prior to starting house hunting. Perhaps they want to live in a secluded and beautiful area. Maybe they want to stay close to family. Regardless of their reason, someone who is house hunting in an area prone to wildfires will have questions and concerns about fire risks and their safety.
Real estate agents will always be the first place a prospective homebuyer turns when their client has questions. Are you ready to talk about fire risks with your real estate clients? Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself as a real estate agent before speaking with your clients about wildfires.
Talking about Wildfire Hazards
Your real estate clients are looking for real answers when it comes to wildfire hazards, so the worst thing you can do is brush your client’s concerns about natural disasters off. Have open communications about the house, the area, and all the safety procedures in place in case a wildfire does happen. If your clients are new to an area prone to wildfires, they are likely going to have questions about the home, the surrounding area, safety procedures, and their ability to get insurance to protect their home.
They may also have questions and concerns around the buying process and disclosure of damage done to a home after a natural disaster. Prepare yourself and understand the laws that ensure disclosures that protect homebuyers and home sellers and natural disasters like wildfires.
Major Fire Risk Concerns in California from Homeowners
The Home
If the area the house is in has a history of wildfire, the current homeowners have probably made all the necessary changes to their home to give it the best chance at surviving a wildfire. As a matter of fact, in 2021, California instituted a law stating that homeowners MUST DISCLOSE what makes the home vulnerable to natural disasters.
When a homeowner decides to sell, it is required for them to hand over all documentation showing the property’s compliance to local laws, or state laws if local ones aren’t in place. Letting your real estate client know this can often help ease their concerns, and help them make an informed decision about a home purchase.
Another important aspect of home ownership in a fire hazard area: home insurance. Make sure to contact a few insurance companies to review policies with your clients.
The Surrounding Area and Neighborhood
When an area is prone to wildfires, there’s really no way to convince a house hunter to buy a house they aren’t comfortable purchasing. All you can really do is provide proper paperwork showing how the current homeowner has done all it can to prepare the house for a wildfire.
The next step is to discuss the area’s benefits, as well as the frequency of the fires, and when the last one was in the area. Give the potential buyer all the facts. If they’re hesitant to buy a specific home in a specific area, there’s plenty of less fire risky neighborhoods to continue house hunting!
All the Safety Procedures
Homes and neighborhoods prone to wildfires not only have homeowners taking necessary precautions, and prepping for future outbreaks, but the fire safety procedures are also a priority. Review how the local fire departments handle wildfires, and what the protocols are at the local, state, and national levels.
If your clients have pets, make sure to review what the procedures are when evacuating with pets. Are there local places that allow pet owners to bring pets when having to vacate their dwellings.
California Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance is hard to obtain in California right now. If you’ve followed the news lately, you’re well aware that insurance companies are fleeing the California market and the State of California is doing what it can to stop more insurance companies from leaving. This is making the real estate market tough in California with home buyers wondering where they are going to get homeowners insurance.
You can help and we made it easier. Download our insurance briefing guide to get all the resources you need to help your clients obtain homeowners insurance. You’ll be their hero and you won’t have to waste hours trying to dig up this information on your own.
Necessary Paperwork for Home Sales in Natural Disaster Areas
Helping your clients find a home is your job, our job is to make your job easier by giving you some time back and completing all of the necessary paperwork and forms for home sales in natural disaster-prone areas. As California real estate transaction coordinators, we stay current on all of the most important forms, procedures, and real estate transaction paperwork. We’re also here to guide you as your clients ask tough questions.
Give all your time and effort to your client, let us take on the forms and paperwork. Your clients will enjoy the process more when their real estate agent appears to be all about them, and not about worrying about finding the right paperwork and tracking down signatures.
