

Gustan Cho
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A wildfire recently broke out near me in Orange County, and I could see the giant smoke plume from my place in Irvine for several days. It reminded me just how real the threat of wildfires can be here in California. If you’re not from the area, you’ve probably at least seen all the news about wildfires across the state.
While wildfires are something to be mindful of, there are plenty of ways to lower the risks—especially for homes in fire hazard zones. If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s good to understand where these zones are and what steps you can take to keep your property safer. Not all homes are at the same level of risk, but knowing about these zones can help you make more informed decisions.
What Is a Wildfire Zone?
Certain areas in California are marked as “Fire Hazard Severity Zones.” This means the area has a higher chance of wildfires because of things like weather, dry vegetation, and terrain. You might expect these zones to be mostly in rural places, but even some urban neighborhoods are at risk. Knowing if a house is in one of these zones is key.
Important Things to Know as a Homebuyer:
- Check the Fire Risk: Before you get too excited about a house, find out if it’s in a high-risk wildfire zone. You can check using CAL FIRE’s map or ask your realtor for more information. This will help you understand what extra steps, like special insurance, might be needed.
- Get the Right Insurance: Not all homeowner’s insurance covers wildfire damage, especially in high-risk areas. You might need to add more coverage to fully protect your home. Also, homes in wildfire zones usually come with higher insurance premiums, so keep that in mind when budgeting.
- Look for Fire-Resistant Features: Some homes are built using materials that can resist fire, like concrete or metal roofs. When viewing homes in wildfire zones, ask about the building materials and whether the owner has made any upgrades to improve fire safety.
- Defensible Space Around the Home: One way to help keep a home safe from wildfires is to have “defensible space.” This means keeping the area around the house clear of things like dry brush, dead leaves, or other stuff that can easily catch fire. When you’re checking out homes, see if the current owner has kept up with this—and be ready to do the same if you move in.
- Community Efforts Matter: Some neighborhoods have strong community efforts to reduce wildfire risks. They might have a fire-safe council, evacuation plans, or firebreaks in place. Living in a community that takes fire prevention seriously can make a big difference in reducing your overall risk.
- Be Ready for Evacuations: If you buy a home in a wildfire zone, there may be times when you have to evacuate, especially during fire season. It’s a good idea to learn the local evacuation routes and be prepared in case you need to leave quickly. This is especially important if you have pets or kids.
The Bottom Line
Buying a home in a wildfire zone doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker—but you do need to make sure you’re fully informed. Things like having the right insurance, keeping defensible space, and being ready for emergencies can make a big difference in staying safe and protecting your home. Staying aware of the risks and taking precautions can help you feel confident in your home-buying decision.
Have more questions about buying in these areas? Feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help guide you through the process!
chadbushre.com
Chad Bush - Southern California Realtor
Your resource to southern California real estate. Stay informed on the latest housing market trends and available homes throughout the area.
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Is the FHA 203K rehab loan product available only for those looking to living in a house, or is it also available for those looking into investment properties?
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I built my last start up 14 years ago and I am rusty. I am building credit for a new startup now. Company was formed 4 years ago and was in hybernation. I am making it come alive and start operations now. My questions
Traditional Business Credit building suggests to start with Net 30 accounts. Right now I have 3 charge accounts that are going to start reporting. I possibly can get 2 more charge accounts.
Should I go back and try to get 2 or 3 net 30 accounts or should I just pass the stage of net 30 accounts and move on?
How many tradelines need to be reporting and how many months before we start seeing the scores and paydex calculated and reported?
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Here’s a few pics and videos of Chase.
The Tale of Chase and His Half-a-Ball: A Long-Haired German Shepherd Love Story
There are dog lovers, and then there are staunch “my-dogs-are-my-co-pilots, my-shadow, my-ride-or-dies” type of dog lovers. My wife and I? Definitely the latter. And it all began with Chase, our Long-Haired German Shepherd born on 25th January 2023; a majestic and fluffy, fiercely loyal, and ridiculously stubborn dog with one very peculiar obsession: his prized possession, half-a-ball.
The Ball that Never Dies
Chase adored a particular toy above all others: a red ball. But let’s make no mistake—this is not a ball, and once it even ceased to exist. A long time ago, it did, and in fact Chase loved to fetch it—round, smooth and completely undamaged. However, now? Well, now it resembles an object of interest that has been subjected to a brutal archaeological dig. It overflows with bite marks, is disfigured beyond recognition, is in need of surgery, and quite frankly, had physics not intervened, would have ceased to exist by now.
As dutiful dog guardians, we engaged in speculative thinking. Why do we not attempt to acquire a new ball for him? Or, alternatively, how about two dozen brand new red balls that are identical to the first one? Since it was clear to us that the only issue was his lack of options. Makes sense, right?
No, not at all.
When Chase came out to play, he was greeted by several pristine new balls. Instead of running towards them like a sane dog, he sniffed them thoroughly and walked away as if he had just seen the antichrist. He didn’t even bother touching the fresh balls because at the end of the day, all he wanted was his half-ball. His one true love, the ball most people would disassociate with, is a half-chewed, nearly unrecognizable, blended piece of rubber that is coated with slobber. No other ball comes close to it.
Meet Skylar and Floppy: The Sister Duo
At this point, I am sure you have also deduced that Chase is our favorite dog in the family. For reasons that I am sure will be explained later, we can’t be normal people and leave him all by himself, hence, we got him two sisters. Now Chase was born on January 25, 2023, and so were his new sisters, making him a year older than the two. We surely love a good symmetric story.
Floppy most accurately describes the look of confusion, her ears thrown in different directions, give her a quirky, cartonish look style that can be also described as outright unique. Together with Skyler, who serves as the more excitement-driven dog, they have singlehandedly changed Chase’s life for the better, but the worst for Chase’s owners. The sweetest part? The lovely, heart-melting chaos they create while together.
The Three Musketeers (And Their Chauffeur—Me)
These three are a tight-knit group, and it is amusing to note that they would take my job if given the chance. They sit in the front row of the car when we go for rides together, which is a must. It gets pretty crowded because Chase assumes the shotgun role, while Skylar and Floppy scrunch up at the back like two misbehaved toddlers on a family trip.
As I am idling at stoplights, Chase scans the pedestrians and judges every single person’s life decisions while Sklyar and Floppy use the chance to bark at random objects. It is hard to get any gas without an event happening either. Whenever I leave the car unattended, all three dogs treat me like I am abandoning them and press their noses on the window as I step away until I come back.
The Ball Conspiracy Continues
With the arrival of two new sisters, one would assume that Chase would loosen up over the ball. Chase doesn’t share, nor does he seem inclined to. Everyone is baffled along with Skylar and Floppy because they are unaware of his bizarre dedication to the mangled ball. Those two other dogs would much rather chase the new red balls, which frustrates Chase to no end as he sits and perpetually observes the younger dogs, shaking his head in disbelief.
Now and then, Floppy makes an attempt to capture Chase’s half-ball to try understanding the excitement surrounding it, which is always an awful decision. Chase always gets it back with all the fervor of a person who is safeguarding the final piece of pizza at a party.
Life with The Trio
Our lives now center around three enormous, cute, spoiled, and incredibly funny dogs. Some bone of contention includes but is not limited to:
✅ Chase still not accepting the fact that his ball is not a ball anymore.
✅ Skylar being the main culprit of mischief.
✅ Floppy attempting to act like a baffled potato.
✅ All of them fighting for a ride in the car as if the car belongs to them.
We would not want it any other way.
So, if you ever spot a car zooming past with three extravagant Long Haired German Shepherds- one inconspicuously gripping a half-ball in his mouth while the other two stare in perplexment- you now have an idea as to who we are.
And if by chance you have a chewed up, barely recognizable red ball that is too damaged for any normal person to use, then to you Chase may just consider you his best pal.
P.S. Your guess is as good as mine on how we can convince Chase to replace the beloved trinket he keeps with a brand new, whole red ball. It’s safe to assume that whatever he has will remain. 🐾
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1128964241712575?mibextid=9drbnH
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This discussion was modified 4 days, 23 hours ago by
Gustan Cho.
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This discussion was modified 4 days, 23 hours ago by
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wanted to inquire about an issue I’m experiencing with my DU approval. Guy changed jobs after 4 plus years. In May and July changed again. Back at original job. had initially received DU approval, but after adding a modular home to the equation, there seems to be a problem. He does not have a lot of credit, so I assume needed to add tradelines.
The DU findings state:
- “This case is ineligible because the loan amount of $168,875 exceeds the FHA maximum loan calculation of $160,190.” *
Could you please clarify what steps I can take to address this issue or how we can adjust the loan amount or any other factors that may be affecting my eligibility? I appreciate your assistance in resolving this matter.
Thank you for your time and help.
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It’s a real shame how people and corporations treat the elderly in 2024. These people have worked their entire lives and supported and raised families. If it weren’t for them, we would have nothing. Yet they are being discarded once they have been sucked dry of all their money, even when having a lifetime contract to live in a senior living facility.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoes bill that would have given undocumented immigrants access to home loans. Can you please explain the $150,000 Housing Grant Bill to undocumented immigrants in California?
https://www.foxla.com/news/newsom-vetoes-bill-housing-loans-illegal-immigrants
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This discussion was modified 5 months, 3 weeks ago by
Gustan Cho.
foxla.com
Newsom vetoes controversial bill that would have given housing loans to illegal immigrants
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a controversial bill that would have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in housing loans to illegal immigrants.
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This discussion was modified 5 months, 3 weeks ago by
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I want to know if Buying a Short Sale Home From a Seller with Lender Approval is a good idea. I am getting many different answers from family, real estate investors, homebuyers, co-workers, loan officers, attorneys, and real estate agents who supposedly are familiar or knowledgable buying a short sale home from a homeseller with the mortgage servicer and lender’s approval. Frequently asked questions by homebuyers who want to know the benefits and negatives of buying a short sale home from a mortgage lender. Many homebuyers think if buying a short sale home from a lender is a good idea. Many homebuyers are told by real estate agents buyers can buy it at a huge price reduction while other real estate agents are telling buyers lenders are not discounting the price of the home. Is it true that buying a short sale home takes up to one year to close? What things can go wrong buying a short sale home from a seller with lender approval?
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Chevy Chase vs Bill Burger-King 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔 🍔
Correction; Chevy Chase vs Bill Murray 😁 😂 😀 🤣
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/wbt7VNqL2xj5xYBE/?mibextid=D5vuiz
facebook.com
Chevy Chase recalls an altercation he had with Bill Murray at “Saturday Night Live” 🌟 For Acting Resources, click the link in our profile 💻🎭 Online Acting Classes Available! Send us a message with...
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Kamala Harris is the nation’s biggest laughing stock. Kamala Harris is hands down the biggest jackass. Her accent imitation makes her become the dumbest Global idiot, including for the DEMOCRATS. Kamala Harris is such a FAKE. It is also alleged Kamala Harris is a severe alcoholic—more on this rambling idiot Kamala Harris. The incompetent Kamala Harris is a major embarrassment and disgrace. She’s one disgusting, unlikeable, lying, uncreditable, flip-flopping, mentally deranged subhuman blizzard piece of shit.
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I would like more specific insights on working with a real estate in my area which is the north side of Chicago. I am interested in selling my house and buying a home in the northwest suburbs with a larger lot and potential to add on. My brothers and I own a construction business and have a lot of experience with doing fix and flips, gut rehab, new construction homes for customers, developers, builders, and ourselves. We have used many real estate agents and sometimes I think they do a good job and is worth the money while other times I think they are completely worthless and I am wasting my 6%. I need a list of questions where I can vett out hard working experienced real estate agents to list my properties and to buy my house. What will the NAR ruling and new law affect using a real estate agent to buy or sell a home?
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Are there many corrupt police officers where they will draft up false criminal charges against citizens? What happens if you were not speeding but get caught for speeding and you know for a fact you were not speeding. What happens if you get arrested for reckless driving for going over 30 miles over the limit and you know for a fact you were not going more than 10 miles over the speed limit. Does the police officer have to show you proof that he caught you going 30 miles over the limit? A reckless driving conviction can mean automatic cancellation of your drivers license and your insurance company can drop you. Are there many corrupt police officers? What can we do if you fall victim to a corrupt police officer? How do police departments hire honest police officers who are honest and protect and serve. I have been watching many YouTube videos about First Amendment Auditors and police corruption. Can you sue corrupt police officers? I have also seen many news reports of police officers planting evidence and lying just for the sake of arresting someone they do not like. What can we do about cleaning up society of corrupt cops?
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My vantage scores are 699 and 703 but FICO is 645. I lost $1,000 after my landlord refused a reference last year. I also changed jobs for FT in a different industry. I had 2 years at last job and will be one year July for this position. Is there any hope? This is my last opportunity as I am 58. Looking at $40000-$60000 depending on my final pick.
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How much does your lender make on your loan?
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I am an Experienced Mortgage Loan Originator. How Can You Approach a Home Builder and Become The Builder’s Preferred Lender. Why do home builders want to use you as their preferred lender? How do you become a Preferred Lender of a Home Builder? What do home builders want of a preferred lender. The bottom line is How Do You Become a Preferred Lender For a Home Builder? What can I do to get an opportunity to become a preferred lender for a regional or national home builder?
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Does anyone know if there Down Payment Assistant programs in the state of California that also cover the real estate agent commission fee? With the recent NAR settlement, I’m wondering if buyers with no cash on hand may have this as an option if the seller will not agree to a buyer agent fee concession. Thanks.
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My credit score is over 620 and I meet the mortgage lending requirements lenders ask. But then say I cannot be approved. My foreign earned income falls on the W2 line, and a previous underwriter said it needed to be amended – what can I do?
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We live in NC and filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy on our personal side and a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on the business side after COVID closed our business. Both my husband and I had upper 700’s for credit before before filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Bankruptcy was confirmed in Feb ’21 and final decree was just issued on 11/12/21. We have a home mortgage and HELOC as well as our SBA loan debt repayment that we’d like to roll into one mortgage with a refi. The SBA loan repayment will be repaid by end of 2022 but there is no penalty to repay early if we could refinance. Are we just out of luck with a refi and have to wait 2 years or is there any option to do a refinance now with a decent rate?
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We don’t *have* to do FHA. Just hearing that they are the most forgiving re DTI. We can come up with a 20% DP if that would make a conventional work. Not sure what direction to go.
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If I am a co-signer on an auto loan, is the debt calculated on my DTI? How does DTI work with Cosigner? Does cosigning a loan count as debt? Does co-signing a car affect debt-to-income ratio? Does cosigning an auto loan affect your credit?
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If I can remove bankruptcy from credit report, will I qualify for mortgage? If my front end DTI is over 47% but my back end dti is under 50% will I qualify for FHA? Can you get a mortgage with a DTI of 47%? Can I get an FHA loan if I had a bankruptcy?
What is the maximum DTI for FHA front end? What are the rules for paying off debt to qualify for FHA loan? Can you pay down debt to qualify for a conventional loan? Can I get a mortgage after paying off debt?
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
Sapna Sharma.
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
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If my middle score is 600-610…can I get an FHA, or USDA mortgage? Can I get a USDA loan with a 600 credit score?
Can I get an FHA loan with a 600 credit score? How big of a loan can I get with a 600 credit score? What is the lowest credit score FHA will accept?
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
Sapna Sharma.
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
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If I get a co-borrow to sign on a mortgage loan but they sign a non-owner occupied will they still have access and rights to buy the home. If they chose to move in if I’m the primary resident? Can you co-sign a mortgage and not be on the deed? Does a co-borrower have rights to the property? Does a cosigner on a mortgage have ownership? Does a cosigner on a mortgage have to live in the house?
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
Sapna Sharma.
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
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If I have been cancelled out of a chapter 13 bankruptcy, when can I qualify for an FHA loan? How long after Chapter 13 dismissed can I get an FHA mortgage? What happens if I cancel my Chapter 13? How long after bankruptcy can I qualify for an FHA loan? How soon can you get a mortgage after Chapter 13 discharge?
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If I have a warranty deed in lieu of foreclosure on a timeshare, will I be able to get a mortgage loan? Is a timeshare foreclosure the same as a foreclosure? Can I get a mortgage with a timeshare foreclosure? What is one disadvantage of a deed in lieu foreclosure?
Does a deed in lieu of foreclosure affect credit? What benefit would an owner get from a deed in lieu of foreclosure? What might prevent an Arizona lender from accepting a borrower’s deed in lieu of foreclosure? What is a major disadvantage to lenders of accepting a deed in lieu of foreclosure? Why do lenders prefer a deed in lieu of foreclosure to a foreclosure?
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
Sapna Sharma.
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This discussion was modified 6 months ago by
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If a homeowner has two mortgage loans on their home, for a short sale to occur, do both lender need to approve the price?
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