Above, from left, Heather Ozur, Rochelle Maize and Jamie Tian
As devastating wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles area on January 7, fueled by fierce winds and dry conditions, the destruction was both staggering and deeply personal. While the fires are now fully contained, as they swept across the landscape, they reduced thousands of homes to ash and forced others to flee areas at risk of future wildfires—a tragedy that left the city grappling with loss and the immense challenge of rebuilding.
Amid this landscape of resilience and urgency, three prominent real estate leaders have emerged as vital voices, advocating for solutions to help affected homeowners and reshape LA’s real estate market for a more fire-resilient future.
Heather Ozur
REALTOR®, Mallen, Marshall and Ozur Group at Keller Williams;
2025 President, California Association of REALTORS®
A broader market perspective
Heather Ozur, a seasoned REALTOR® with the Mallen, Marshall and Ozur Group at Keller Williams, has spent years advocating for policies that support homeowners across California. As a leader in both state and national real estate organizations, she brings a broader market perspective on how the wildfires are shaping LA’s housing landscape.
Given your work with real estate organizations, how do these wildfires compare to past housing crises?
The market has been very fluid since the fires began. In the six primary cities affected—Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Malibu, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Topanga—closed sales dropped nearly 70% from early January. New home listings have surged, but pending sales are also rising, meaning available inventory remains tight. Concerns about long-term housing supply are justified, as rebuilding delays will likely have a greater impact than immediate market shifts.
What resources are available to help homeowners through the rebuilding process?
The California Association of REALTORS® has developed a comprehensive disaster resource hub with guides on securing insurance, obtaining financial assistance and navigating legal challenges. We’re also working closely with legislators to advocate for expanded insurance options and zoning adjustments that will make rebuilding more feasible.
What’s the most important step real estate professionals can take to support wildfire recovery?
We haven’t seen fire-resistant features significantly impact home values yet, but insurance costs may be lower for properties with sprinkler systems and other protections. In the long run, as fire-resistant construction becomes more common, it will likely influence both home prices and insurance availability.
Rochelle Maize
Director, luxury estates division
Nourmand & Associates
Navigating an uncertain market
As a luxury real estate expert with Nourmand & Associates, Rochelle Maize has witnessed firsthand the dramatic shifts in LA’s housing market post-wildfire. In addition to helping clients navigate displacement and rebuilding challenges, she recently joined over 45 real estate leaders in signing a letter to Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass, urging policy changes to expedite the recovery process.
How have the recent wildfires in LA impacted the housing market?
The wildfires have dramatically shifted market dynamics, sparking increased activity on both the buying and selling sides. Previously dormant listings have seen renewed interest, with inventory levels surging as homeowners rush to sell. On some days, the MLS is seeing triple or quadruple its usual number of new listings. Many sellers are eager to offload properties, while buyers are scrambling to secure homes amidst rising demand.
What steps are you taking to help clients rebuild?
Initially, clients were focused on securing leases in areas like Brentwood or Santa Monica, but limited availability and high competition pushed them to explore alternatives in Manhattan Beach, Westwood and Beverly Hills. Wealthier clients are opting to buy smaller properties instead of paying exorbitant rents while rebuilding. Prefab homes are also gaining traction as a quicker solution for fire-affected neighborhoods.
What role can real estate leaders play in shaping recovery efforts?
Beyond selling homes, we have a responsibility to advocate for ethical practices. Price-gouging became a significant issue immediately after the fires, with landlords and agents attempting to exploit victims. Many of us took a stand, prompting the state to impose fines on landlords who raise prices by more than 10%. By pushing for fair policies and providing direct assistance, we can help communities rebuild while fostering trust in our industry.
Jamie Tian
Founder and CEO, RealiFi Realty;
National president, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA)
Addressing the Insurance and Housing Crisis
As founder and CEO of RealiFi Realty and national president of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA), Jamie Tian has been actively involved in guiding both clients and policymakers toward long-term solutions for wildfire recovery.
In what ways has the wildfire crisis deepened LA’s existing housing challenges?
Many buyers are prioritizing move-in ready homes or properties they can renovate fast, which is driving competition in lower-risk areas near fire zones. Home prices are rising in these neighborhoods, while sellers in high-risk areas are struggling to find buyers unless they invest in fire-resistant upgrades. Meanwhile, rental prices have skyrocketed—with some areas seeing rents triple due to limited housing options.
What are the biggest insurance challenges facing homeowners in fire-prone areas?
Rebuilding after a wildfire is always complicated, but this time, insurance and zoning hurdles are making it even harder. Many insurance companies have pulled out of California or raised premiums so much that coverage is becoming unaffordable. Some homes that were legally built before may no longer comply with updated zoning regulations, meaning homeowners might not be able to rebuild as they did before.
How can policymakers and industry leaders work together to improve the rebuilding process?
The letter to Governor Newsom lays out critical proposals, including expanding California FAIR Plan Insurance, exempting fire victims from LA’s “Mansion Tax” when selling land, easing zoning restrictions, streamlining permits and pausing property taxes for fire-damaged homes. Without these changes, many homeowners simply won’t be able to rebuild.
