Real estate professionals in the Los Angeles area are stepping up to help residents displaced by this week's wildfires in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and the other blazes that have torn through several areas and razed homes and buildings.
As of Friday afternoon, there were four active wildfires in L.A., according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The largest of those fires, the Palisades Fire responsible for nearly 20,500 acres of damage and the Eaton Fire responsible for almost 14,000 acres of damage, are still raging, with just 3% and 8% containment, respectively.
“As real estate agents we obviously have an obligation…even when it's going to be difficult with thousands of people looking for places and not nearly as many houses available,” said Jason Oppenheim, president and founder of The Oppenheim Group, in a video he posted Thursday on Instagram.
The fires have destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, leaving ashen debris where there were once palatial mansions and desirable apartments in some of the region’s most expensive zip codes. Estimates for the cost of that damage range in the $50 billions, according to AccuWeather, making the catastrophe one of the most costly natural disasters in American history.
“This is already one of the worst wildfires in California history,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said Wednesday. “Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history based on the number of structures burned and economic loss.”
Here's how four real estate firms are helping fire victims.
The Agency
The Beverly Hills, California, brokerage has launched multiple initiatives to support victims of the wildfires.
On Saturday, The Agency plans to open its donation and resource center at 13470 Washington Blvd. in Marina Del Ray for drop-offs. The team will collect toiletries, hygiene products, clothing, baby supplies, children’s toys, school supplies, small electronics, home goods and pet supplies. Pick-ups for the donated goods will start on Sunday and be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Jan. 19.
The Agency is also working to help find displaced individuals housing. In the coming days it plans to launch a repository where those resources can be found in one place.
“We are working to secure short-term housing for those displaced by the fires by connecting with developers and exploring available leases,” brokerage founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky said in a statement. “We remain committed to offering resources and assistance as the situation evolves in real time."
The Oppenheim Group
The brokerage known for its Netflix reality show, “Selling Sunset,” is offering its services for free to victims of the fires.
“The Oppenheim Group is offering to represent anybody for free or we will credit you back any commission paid if you’ve lost your house and you’re now displaced," Oppenheim said in his video.
To get connected with an agent, reach out to office@ogroup.com.
Kaminsky Real Estate Group
Real estate agent Ed Kaminsky, owner of Kaminsky Real Estate Group of eXp Realty, has converted his Hermosa Beach, California, office into a donation center.
In an Instagram post, Kaminsky said he is accepting “any donations,” including food items, blankets, towels, phone chargers and more. The team will be collecting donations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Kaminsky's office is located at 440 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach.
Donations will be distributed to displaced families by Guidestone Church.
The team is also asking that anyone with a vacant property, vacation house or guest house within a two-hour drive to contact them so they can compile a list of housing options for displaced residents.
More information about Kaminsky's efforts can be found here.
Francesca Grace Home Staging and Interior Design
Celebrity interior designer and home stager Francesca Grace is offering live-in rental furniture and turnkey-ready packages for victims of the fires.
Rental packages will include full interior furnishings, Grace said in an Instagram post Thursday. Turn-key packages will include all kitchenware, bedding, towels, toothbrushes and robes.
“We will do what we can to help such a tragic situation,” she wrote in a separate post. “We are in this together and will rebuild what has been destroyed.”
To inquire about rentals, email hello@francescagrace.com and a team member will get back to you within 24 hours.
