Families Displaced by LA Wildfires Flocking to OC, Realtor Says
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County have had a significant impact on the real estate market in Orange County, with a surge in demand for short and long-term leases.
Rise in Demand for Rentals
According to Lisa Tan, a realtor with Christie’s International, the phone calls and texts from agents started pouring in the night the Palisades Fire erupted, and they haven’t stopped since. "With this particular listing, we were maybe getting one showing a week," she said. "But now we are getting three to five, and it’s been nonstop."
Unprecedented Demand
Tan, who watched the fires unfold like many others, said she’s seen an unprecedented demand for the five-bedroom home in Newport Beach’s highly desired Port Streets neighborhood, listed for $19,500 per month. "Since the first day of the fire, I already received texts asking to show the next day… and every single day since last Tuesday, we’ve had multiple showings in a day," she said.
Families Seeking Refuge
All of the showings this week and last were for families displaced from the Pacific Palisades, said Tan, noting the neighborhood "is pretty similar to Newport Beach, families with young kids" who don’t have a home to return to and are looking for somewhere familiar, either temporarily or for good. "Some families that lost everything – and they’re just trying to figure out what to do with their kids at this point," she said. "It’s just devastating because there is a shortage of homes in OC and now, everybody is trying to find a place to live just for shelter and I don’t even know if we can accommodate everyone at this point."
Victims Share Tips for Filing Insurance Claims
A woman who was viewing the house on Wednesday said she and several friends in the area are looking for rentals in Orange County because they have family and friends in the area. She also mentioned that she has several friends in the area who are also looking for new homes after losing their homes in LA.
Conclusion
The devastating impact of the LA wildfires is being felt in Orange County, with a surge in demand for short and long-term leases. Realtors like Lisa Tan are seeing a huge increase in interest in properties, particularly in the Newport Beach area. As the affected families navigate the difficult process of rebuilding their lives, they are turning to Orange County for refuge.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current demand for rentals in Orange County?
- High demand, particularly in the Newport Beach area.
- What is the average rent for a five-bedroom home in Newport Beach?
- $19,500 per month.
- How many showings has the realtor received for the listed property?
- Three to five showings per day, with multiple showings per day since last Tuesday.
- What is the reason for the surge in demand for rentals in Orange County?
- The devastating wildfires in LA County, which have displaced many families.
