All homeowners who are selling or buying a home are required by law to ensure that they are equipped with a NHD Report (Natural Hazard Disclosure Report). Being fully versed in this report could be a great help when faced with the many hazards which residents face in the Golden State. To the residents of California, dealing with wildfires is not an event that is out of the ordinary. In fact, it has become an all too real threat to the lives (and homes) of local residents. Last year was a very rough year and wildfires caused an inordinate amount of damage, but this year has seen the wildfi...

Flash-floods are a disaster that strikes quickly and leaves devastating damage in their wake. In 2019 alone they were responsible for almost 4 billion dollars in terms of lost property, not to mention the incalculable loss of human life.

In my experience flooding is often overlooked by homeowners, especially if they feel safe due to not living by large bodies of water. This is a false sense of security, and if you currently live in California or plan to move there soon, then you need to understand and plan for the serious risks of flash-flood.

While wildfires and earthquakes ...

Western states like California are known particularly for their architecturally beautiful houses. However, even the most gorgeous homes can be swept away by a hurricane, earthquake, or landslide. That’s why California homeowners must disclose any potential risks for disasters when selling their homes. According to California Civil Code, sellers and real estate agents must provide their prospective buyers with a Natural Hazard Disclosure (NHD) report. This statement informs buyers whether or not their home is located within a natural hazard zone. Such information is crucial to a buyer becau...

California is known for its great beauty with its long coastlines and sloping mountain ranges. With amazing weather in general and a diversity of culture, it is an incredible place to visit or settle down. Unfortunately, though, it does have a propensity for natural disasters. According the University of California, in the 1800’s during the gold rush there was quite a population explosion in California; people settled in areas which had previously been avoided due to them being known as potentially dangerous areas.  Today we have all these potentially dangerous areas marked up and all pr...

Searching for a home can be both exciting and overwhelming. You’ll likely see over a dozen properties—each with its own unique personalities and features. Initially, it might be easy to get carried away with your excitement. But buying a home is a huge commitment, and you want to make sure you’re aware of every little detail before going through with a purchase.  That last thing any homebuyer wants is to be blind-sighted. If you’re buying a property in California, carefully reviewing your natural hazard disclosure, or NHD report is of vital importance. Oftentimes, California homebuyers ar...

Selling your home can become quite a headache if you don’t have all your ducks in a row, and when it comes to providing all the correct paperwork it could seem like your ducks all just waddle off in tandem and leave you stranded. That being said, the potential buyer of a new home could find themselves under even more pressure. They are about to fork out a bunch of their hard earned savings to buy a home that they are going to live in for the next few years at least and they have to make sure that they aren’t buying a soon-to-be fossil. It would be quite the fiasco if you sell your home to...

For California homebuyers, there’s a lot to consider before purchasing a home … Safe neighborhoods, great schools, and convenient locations are just a few key factors people look into when house hunting. However, there’s one thing new California buyers might not be aware of — an NHD report. When buying any kind of property, real estate sellers and brokers must provide a Natural Hazard Disclosure, as it is required by California State Law. NHD reports help prevent homeowners from blindly walking into a purchase of a hazardous area.  Some hazards are more dangerous than others, and dependi...

In the golden state of California, you can indeed have it all - there are both beaches and mountains easily within reach and throughout the year climate that’s sure to make you smile. There is a price to be paid, however, and it’s not just financial. In truth, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows to own a home, and along with all the natural beauty of California comes numerous natural risks as well. These disasters can not only put your personal belongings at-risk but also can negatively impact the overall worth of your home.

If I’ve learned one thing about homeownership, it’s that y...

Every Californian homeowner knows the trials and tribulations of wildfire season. As of 2019, California officially has more wildfires than any other state. By the end of 2020, state and local resources had fought nearly 8,000 wildfires that burned approximately 260,000 acres of land. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported about 10,488 buildings destroyed. As the climate continues to heat up, wildfires' danger continues to grow, with each year breaking previous wildfire records. Heat and lack of regular rainfall threaten plant life, and drought spells grow longe...

When buying or selling a home in California, obtaining an NHD report is an absolute must. California is actually the only state in the country that requires a Natural Hazard Disclosure during a real estate transaction because of the wide range of environmental hazards present in its diverse landscape. Quite simply, buyers have a right to know if their property is at significant risk of damages from a wildfire, flooding or even earthquakes. An NHD report helps them better understand the risks associated with a property, including the potential for additional insurance costs. Because of this...