Everyone knows California is susceptible to an impressive array of natural hazards, including earthquakes, fires, flooding and mudslides. But people often ask me why there are so many hazards in one place.A combination of geology, coastal conditions and fluctuating weather and seasonal patterns contribute to California’s predisposition to catastrophe.Fortunately, home buyers and sellers can access detailed risk disclosure through a Natural Hazard Disclosure in a Natural Hazard (NHD) Report. This report discloses the existence of a special flood hazard area, dam inundation, very high fire ri...

Just about every homeowner will eventually find themselves in a position where they need to sell their house. Of course, getting your home ready for market often requires a decent amount of work. From upgrading certain areas to taking care of necessary repairs, the work you put into your house can have a direct impact on the selling price and whether it appeals to potential buyers. Unfortunately, you can’t control everything during the home selling process. Among the things that lie outside your control are the results of the NHD Report.The Natural Hazard Disclosure lists whether your prope...

The NHD Report is a required part of California real estate transactions. It must be provided for all residential and commercial real estate sales. The Natural Hazard Disclosure indicates if a property lies within one of the state’s six primary hazard zones, which include Very High Fire Risk zones, Wildland Fire areas, Earthquake Fault Zones, Seismic Hazard areas, Special Flood Hazard areas and Dam Inundation zones. In addition, these reports provide vital information on additional issues that could affect the property, such as proximity to a military ordnance zone or airport influence area...

While some people are wondering if they should put their home search on hold during the Coronavirus pandemic, others are taking advantage of low-interest rates and dipping home prices. If you're on the market for a home right now, it's essential you know how to proceed safely.It's a great time to buy, but it's important to avoid endangering homeowners, agents, and others involved in the process. In fact, the California Association of Realtors requires agents to follow strict guidelines during this pandemic. These guidelines include no face-to-face meetings, no in-person listing appointments...

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and real estate has not been left untouched. Some prospective homebuyers are wondering if they should slow down the search, while others are continuing to move forward.Due to the rapidly changing job and family situations, some people have found themselves looking for a new living situation when they never expected to. Whether you're thinking about buying out of necessity or desire, purchasing a home right now is actually not such a bad idea.1) Historically Low Interest Rates While the U.S. economy faces u...

At this point, to say that the coronavirus has been dominating headlines feels like something of an understatement. As the number of areas with significant outbreaks grows and the death toll continues to rise across the globe, it is only natural that people are feeling a sense of anxiety.California is no different. In fact, California was one of the first states to declare a state of emergency after the virus’s confirmed arrival in the United States.While the coronavirus is undoubtedly creating turbulent times for many, this can be even more stressful for prospective homebuyers. After all, ...

Of the many issues related to global warming, few are more alarming — or potentially devastating — than rising sea levels. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global sea level in 2014 was 2.6 inches higher than it had been in 1993.Continued warming of both the ocean and atmosphere has resulted in sea levels increasing at an average of 1/8 of an inch each year. Some estimates predict an additional one to four-foot rise by the year 2100.While these numbers may sound relatively small, they can have a big impact, particularly for people living in coas...

The home buying process can be long and complicated at times.Not only that, but many home buyers are so excited to finalize the purchase of their dream home that they skip certain steps in the process. The one step that should never be forgotten, though, is a thorough examination of the NHD Report.The NHD Report, or the Natural Hazard Disclosure, informs home owners of the potential hazards that could affect their home in the future. A home is a long-term investment. Many people put an immense amount of money on the line with this purchase. Being well-informed about the risks of this invest...