Its too hard at this age to wait years and years and years to be back to normal, lamented Ms. Johnson, a homeowner affected by the recent fires.

In just one short week, two catastrophic firesthe Palisades fire on the western side of Los Angeles County and the Eaton fire on the eastern sidehave wreaked havoc, destroying over 16,000 structures and damaging an additional 2,000, according to state reports. This alarming figure does not even account for homes that narrowly escaped the flames but remain uninhabitable due to extensive smoke damage and a lack of essential utilities. The aftermath of these disasters means that tens of thousands of households are now faced with the daunting task of rebuilding or selling their homes at a time when federal tariffs and immigration policies are making construction more complicated and costly.

Theyre really difficult decisions that people have to make, especially when your home is your No. 1 investment for most folks, stated Gabe Osburn, the director of planning and economic development for Santa Rosa, California. Mr. Osburn has firsthand experience in navigating recovery processes, having played a pivotal role in helping his city recover from the devastating Tubbs fire in 2017. Youre going through that thought process of, Do I just want to live in this area? he explained. His own home was barely outside the burn area of the Tubbs fire, giving him a unique perspective on the turmoil many are currently facing.

The pressure is particularly acute for younger homeowners, who might spend decades attempting to rebuild their savings while facing the looming threat of another wildfire. In contrast, older homeowners find themselves in a precarious position; they often have less time to regain their financial footing after a disaster. Such calamities can severely impact their ability to afford long-term care and suitable housing options as they age. Currently, Los Angeles homeowners of all ages are feeling the urgency to make critical decisionswhether to embark on the arduous path of rebuilding and securing contractors, or to sell their properties and seek out new homes in potentially safer areas.