For Altadena homeowners affected by the Eaton Fire

You have options after the fire.

Rebuild, relocate, sell, or simply take time to decide. You don't have to make these decisions alone. Understanding your options can help you move forward with confidence.

Explore Your Options Call (877) 4-INFO-11

Educational information only. Specialized legal, tax, insurance, and construction questions should be reviewed by the proper licensed professionals.

A compassionate starting point

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Losing a home is emotionally and financially overwhelming. Some homeowners want to rebuild and remain in the community they love. Others need a fresh start somewhere else. Some families are not ready to decide yet, and that is understandable.

Our goal is to help you organize the moving parts, understand possible housing paths, and connect you with the right licensed professionals for questions outside our areas of expertise.

Professional resource directory

Information resources for different parts of the recovery process

The professionals listed below are available to answer general questions within their respective areas. Information is educational in nature and intended to help homeowners better understand available options based on their individual circumstances.

JP

Jae Park

Insurance Claim Information Resource
Public Adjuster
President · Jae Park & Associates, Inc. · IICRC / Clean Trust

Available to answer general insurance claim and property restoration questions that homeowners may encounter during the recovery process.

Information is educational in nature and intended to help homeowners better understand available options based on their individual circumstances.

GG

Gustavo Gutierrez

Real Estate Information Resource
Realtor · TRT Capital

Available to answer general real estate questions that homeowners may encounter during the recovery process.

Information is educational in nature and intended to help homeowners better understand available options based on their individual circumstances.

MV

Marvin Villagracia

Housing & Financing Information Resource
Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer

Available to answer general housing and financing questions during the recovery process.

Information is educational in nature and intended to help homeowners better understand available options based on their individual circumstances.

DM

Devang Mehta

Financial Advisor Resource
Partner · PMA Wealth & Tax Advisors

Available to discuss financial goals, wealth management strategies, and other general financial considerations that may arise following a major life event.

Information is educational in nature and intended to help homeowners better understand available options based on their individual circumstances.

Clear boundaries

What we can help with — and what we are not

We can help you understand

  • General housing recovery options
  • General housing and financing questions to consider
  • Real estate, insurance, tax, and financial planning questions to discuss with appropriate professionals
  • Questions to ask your insurance company, contractor, CPA, attorney, and other professionals
  • How to organize next steps and avoid feeling stuck

We are not

  • A government agency or official recovery program
  • A substitute for your own legal, tax, insurance, financial, mortgage, real estate, or construction advisors
  • A provider of individualized professional advice through this website
  • A guarantee of services, outcomes, approvals, settlements, or financial results
Important: This website provides general educational information and resource direction only. Homeowners are encouraged to consult professionals of their own choosing before making major legal, tax, insurance, construction, financial, mortgage, or real estate decisions.

Your four main paths

Options after the Eaton Fire

Every family’s situation is different. These four paths are designed to help you think through what may be possible.

01

Rebuild and Stay

For families who want to remain in the community and rebuild on the same property.

Rebuilding can preserve your connection to the neighborhood, but it usually requires patience and coordination. Homeowners may need to work through insurance claims, debris removal, architectural plans, permits, contractor bids, construction timelines, and financing gaps if insurance proceeds are not enough.

What may be involved

  • Insurance claim review
  • Temporary housing
  • Plans, permits, and inspections
  • Contractor selection
  • Construction financing if needed

Who to consult

  • Insurance company or public adjuster
  • Licensed contractor
  • Architect or engineer
  • Mortgage loan originator
  • Attorney or CPA when needed
02

Buy Another Home Before Rebuilding

For homeowners who need stability now and want to decide what to do with the original property later.

Some families do not want to wait years before feeling settled again. Buying another home may provide immediate housing stability while preserving flexibility. Depending on income, assets, insurance proceeds, and the existing property situation, financing options may be available.

What may be involved

  • Mortgage pre-approval
  • Reviewing income, assets, debts, and credit
  • Understanding how insurance proceeds may be treated
  • Choosing whether to keep, rebuild, or sell the lot later
  • Coordinating real estate purchase timing

Who to consult

  • Mortgage loan originator
  • Licensed Realtor®
  • Insurance company
  • CPA or tax professional
  • Attorney when ownership issues exist
03

Explore Your Options After Fire Damage

For families who feel a fresh start somewhere else may be the right decision.

Choosing not to rebuild is not giving up. For some homeowners, selling the land or damaged property can bring closure, reduce stress, and free up equity for the next chapter. The sale process should be handled carefully, especially when insurance claims, mortgage balances, title issues, or tax questions are involved.

What may be involved

  • Determining current lot value
  • Reviewing as-is sale options
  • Understanding market demand
  • Coordinating sale timing with insurance matters
  • Planning the next housing move

Who to consult

  • Licensed Realtor®
  • Insurance company or public adjuster
  • CPA or tax professional
  • Attorney if needed
  • Mortgage professional for replacement home financing
04

Keep the Lot as an Investment

For homeowners who are not ready to decide and want to preserve future options.

Some families need time. Keeping the lot may allow you to wait until emotions settle, insurance issues become clearer, construction costs stabilize, or family circumstances change. This option can preserve flexibility, but it may also involve ongoing property taxes, maintenance, insurance considerations, and market uncertainty.

What may be involved

  • Holding the property while delaying a final decision
  • Tracking property tax and maintenance obligations
  • Monitoring rebuild costs and market value
  • Considering future family or estate plans
  • Revisiting the decision later

Who to consult

  • CPA or tax professional
  • Financial advisor
  • Estate planning attorney
  • Licensed Realtor®
  • Insurance professional

Who should answer what?

Specialized questions should go to specialized professionals

We can help you organize the questions. The right professional should answer the questions that fall under their license or expertise.

Insurance

For coverage, claim status, settlement amounts, ALE benefits, disputes, and policy interpretation.

Consult:Your insurance carrier or a licensed public adjuster.

Legal

For ownership disputes, trusts, estates, contracts, liens, inheritance, and legal rights.

Consult:A qualified attorney.

Tax

For capital gains, tax treatment of insurance proceeds, sale consequences, and tax planning.

Consult:A CPA or tax professional.

Construction

For rebuild costs, permits, design, timelines, structural questions, and contractor bids.

Consult:A licensed contractor, architect, or engineer.

Common questions

Questions homeowners often ask

Rebuild and Stay

How long does rebuilding usually take?

It can vary widely. The process may involve insurance, debris removal, plans, permits, contractor availability, inspections, and construction. Many disaster rebuilds take longer than families initially expect.

Will insurance pay for everything?

Not always. Coverage depends on the policy, limits, endorsements, claim handling, and actual rebuild costs. Your insurance company or public adjuster should review your specific policy.

Will I need a construction loan?

Possibly. Some homeowners have enough insurance proceeds. Others may need supplemental financing if costs exceed available funds.

Buy Another Home

Can I buy before my insurance claim is finished?

Possibly, depending on your income, assets, debts, credit, available funds, and how your situation is documented. A mortgage review can help clarify what may be possible.

Can I keep the fire-damaged property and buy another home?

In many cases, homeowners may keep the original property while buying elsewhere, but qualification depends on the full financial picture.

Do I have to sell first?

Not necessarily. Some homeowners buy first, some sell first, and others rent temporarily. The best order depends on your finances, insurance status, and comfort level.

Sell and Move On

Can I sell even though the house is gone?

Yes, land can still have value. A Realtor can help evaluate the lot, market demand, and realistic selling options.

Will selling affect my insurance claim?

It may or may not, depending on your policy and claim status. Speak with your insurance company and appropriate advisors before making a decision.

Should I sell now or wait?

There is no universal answer. It depends on your personal goals, emotional readiness, finances, insurance situation, and market conditions.

Keep the Lot

Do I have to decide right away?

No. Many families benefit from taking time to gather information, talk to professionals, and make decisions when they feel more grounded.

What costs continue if I keep the lot?

Property taxes, insurance considerations, maintenance, security, and other carrying costs may continue. A CPA, insurance professional, and Realtor can help you evaluate this.

Can I rebuild later?

Possibly. Future rebuilding depends on local rules, permits, financing, insurance, construction costs, and your personal circumstances at that time.

Not sure where to start?

Questions to ask yourself before deciding

Do I want to return to Altadena, or am I emotionally ready for a new location?

Do I need housing stability now, or can I wait through a longer rebuild process?

Do I have enough insurance proceeds, savings, or financing options to rebuild?

Would selling the property reduce stress or create a better path forward?

Is keeping the lot financially manageable while I decide?

Need help finding the right resource?

Contact the Eaton Fire Recovery Resource Center.

If you're unsure where to start, the Resource Center can help point you toward appropriate licensed professionals and resources based on your individual situation.

Resource Center Hotline
(877) 4-INFO-11

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Disclaimer

The Eaton Fire Recovery Resource Center is intended to provide general educational information to homeowners affected by the Eaton Fire. Information provided on this website is general in nature and should not be considered legal, tax, insurance, financial, real estate, or mortgage advice. Every homeowner's situation is unique. Visitors should consult the appropriate licensed professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making financial, legal, insurance, real estate, or rebuilding decisions.

Independent Resource Professionals

The professionals listed on this website are independent businesses that have agreed to make themselves available as informational resources. Homeowners are under no obligation to use any listed professional and are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before selecting any service provider. The Eaton Fire Recovery Resource Center does not require, endorse, or guarantee the services of any particular provider.

Licensing & Disclosures

Insurance Claim Information: Jae Park, Public Adjuster, Lic. #2H67374.

Real Estate Information: Gustavo Gutierrez, Realtor, DRE Lic #01203315. TRT Capital, CA DRE #01885529.

Mortgage Information: Marvin Villagracia, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1403923. WinPrime Lending, CA DRE #1870337, NMLS #255994. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information is educational in nature and is not a commitment to lend.

Tax / Financial Information: Devang S. Mehta, EA, Partner, Parikh Mehta & Associates. Tax, accounting, and financial planning information is provided by an independent tax professional. Consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.