California REALTORS® place open letter in statewide California newspapers to provide crucial information to support and protect wildfire victims

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of the devasting Southern California wildfires, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) today has placed an open letter in numerous California newspapers to support and help displaced homeowners understand what to expect and common pitfalls to watch out for in the critical weeks ahead as they try to recover from losses. 

The letter is being blanketed throughout the entire state of California in more than 45 local newspapers, including the California editions of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Star News, Mercury News, Sacramento Bee, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange County Register, Fresno Bee, The Press-Enterprise, Desert Sun, and the Daily Bulletin, among others. A Spanish language version is also being published in La Opinion, La Opinion de La Bahia, El Latino and El Observador, and both language versions will appear in digital editions of all newspapers.

View the full English language open letter here and the Spanish language version here. 

"The devastation caused by the recent wildfires in Southern California is beyond words. Our hearts are heavy for those whose lives have been upended, so many of whom are now facing unimaginable losses," C.A.R. President Heather Ozur said in the letter. "Despite this tragedy, we continue to be inspired by the extraordinary courage shown by our first responders. To those who risk everything to protect life and preserve property, we are deeply grateful."

"The next several months will bring untold challenges for so many. As professionals whose core values are tethered to the building of communities and to the meaning that "home" occupies in our lives, we not only stand committed to helping rebuild what has been lost but also aim to protect you however we can," Ozur continued. "We take this commitment seriously. The immediate housing needs for those who have lost their homes create new vulnerabilities that some may seek to exploit. We want you to know your rights, to stay vigilant against predatory practices, and to report any misconduct you become aware of."

The letter highlights three major areas that fire-impacted consumers need to be aware of: price gouging, fraudulent activities, and unsolicited undervalued offers to purchase property in ZIP codes affected by the fires. Readers are alerted to understand and adhere to laws to prevent anyone from becoming a victim or a violator.

Also noted in the letter are resources and benefits available to assist in recovery, such as financial assistance of up to $1,000 through the REALTORS^® Relief Foundation. This fund provides housing-related financial support to individuals recovering from natural disasters. Impacted individuals can apply through April 30 by visiting on.car.org/relief.

The letter also encourages homeowners who have lost their homes to take advantage of Proposition 19, which offers property tax relief by allowing homeowners to transfer the taxable value of their damaged or destroyed primary residence, once it is sold, to a replacement property anywhere in California. Passed by voters in 2020, Proposition 19 ensures continuity and stability for wildfire survivors as they rebuild their lives.

"This recovery has to be a collective effort, and we all have a role to play. Whether it's through volunteering, donating, or simply doing what we Californians do best ― being there for our neighbors and communities ― we will get through this terrible disaster together. Our resilience is one of the defining features of our great state," the letter closes."

Leading the way…^® in California real estate for nearly 120 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States with 200,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Sacramento.

SOURCE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.)