2020 was notable for a lot of things — and for California residents, part of this was the record-setting fire season. Over 4.1 million acres of California burned in 2020, with five of the state’s six largest fires in history happening during the calendar year.Unfortunately, these statistics represent the continuation of a trend, rather than an outlier. California’s wildfire risk seems to grow each year, putting lives and property at risk.In response to steadily worsening fire conditions, 2019 saw the passage of new laws regarding homeowner responsibilities for those who live in wildfire haz...

Despite its great beauty, California is home to a variety of natural hazards. The state frequently ranks at or near the top of lists for both the greatest number of wildfires and total number of acres burned in any given year.There is no understating the extreme danger that California’s wildfires can pose to lives and property. Because of this, the state government takes responsibility for preventing and suppressing wildfires in areas outside of federal ownership or city boundaries.Of course, many people live in these areas — designated as a State Responsibility Area, or SRA. Residents of t...

Becoming a homeowner is a big undertaking, especially if you plan on living in California. There's a lot to consider. The unpredictable weather and ever-changing climate are sure to keep everyone homeowner on their toes, which is why it's essential to have a natural hazard disclosure report. Today, one of the biggest things to be aware of when buying a home in California is flooding. In California, flooding occurs annually; yet no one knows when or where to predict it. Over the years, every county in California has been declared a flood disaster. One in five Californians and more than $580 ...

One key element of the Natural Hazard Disclosure is the flood certification. Flood certifications are actually required by mortgage lenders in California, and for good reason. The Public Policy Institute estimates that one in five Californians is vulnerable to flooding, alongside $580 billion in structures.In fact, every county in the state has been declared a flood disaster area at some point. Whether the result of overflowing rivers, flash flooding or even urban flooding caused by poor drainage, flooding is a serious issue in California.Flood certifications for an NHD Report are determine...

With mortgage rates still at record lows, many Americans are wondering how the 2020 Presidential election will impact today's housing market.In short — it's difficult to predict.Though 2020 has been volatile in a variety of ways, presidential elections have historically had little impact on the mortgage rates that followed. According to Dana George of Motley Fool, the 12 elections since 1978 illustrate a different factor to consider — the overall health of the U.S. economy."The rate ended the year higher than it started after seven elections. It dropped four times and, in 2012, it stayed th...

It's fun to enter the California real estate market. If you're beginning to look for your potential home, you might be looking at your options for obtaining a mortgage. Something that many people don't know beforehand is that your mortgage lender will have a few requirements. One of those requirements is that you obtain a flood certificate for the home you're buying. You may already be aware of the California requirement for home sellers to provide a natural hazard disclosure, which states the risk to your home from various hazards. A flood certificate is a document specifically related to ...

Being a homeowner comes with plenty of added responsibilities. There's a lot to take care of when it comes to homes. One of those essential things to take care of is determining whether or not you are located in a flood zone. This is especially true for California homeowners since it is a highly flood-prone state …In fact, every county in California has been declared a flood disaster area multiple times.Figuring out if a home is at risk of flooding isn't always as simple as looking around to see if there's a nearby ocean or lake. Flooding in California can be caused by heavy rainfall, snow ...

With its beautiful beaches and warm weather, California is known for being a dream location to live in. As California experiences an increasing amount of natural disasters, however, there are certain issues that California homeowners need to watch out for.Natural Hazard Disclosures ensure that homeowners are well informed about the natural disaster risks in their area. Once you're aware of any possible hazards you can go forward with your home purchase with peace of mind, knowing which precautions you need to take to protect your home. With the proper precautions, insurance policies, and aw...

California is one of the most populous states in America. It’s a place where a lot of people want to live, especially in LA and the Bay Area — just look at housing prices.But along with the sunny beaches, beautiful redwoods, big cities and gorgeous mountains, there are a lot of hazards you need to be aware of when you buy a home. California is a beautiful state, but it’s also prone to natural disasters.That’s why the Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) report exists.The Reason for the NHD ReportBack in 1991, the Oakland Hills Fire (also known as the Tunnel Fire and the East Bay Fire) destroyed ...

Buying a home is a major investment, so it should come as no surprise that buyers want to have as much information as possible before making a purchase. This is why so many investigate details like area schools, crime statistics and local amenities before they even start looking at houses After someone makes an offer on a house, their research and vetting continues. Home inspections and appraisals are a part of the home buying process all across the country, but in California, sellers are also required to provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure report.The NHD Report is required under California...