In the wake of devastating wildfires, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is: How do I read and understand my insurance policy? Whether you're facing a total loss or a partial loss, or just smoke damage, the process of interpreting your coverage can be daunting. Here’s some basics.

Removing smoke damage is important and depends on the severity of the damage or fumes. It’s crucial to remember that when a fire burns through communities, it doesn’t just consume vegetation; homes, cars, businesses, and various hazardous materials are also burned. Toxic substances like lead, asbestos, dioxins from burned plastics, and heavy metals such as copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt from cars or EVs can become airborne. This is not meant to alarm you but to encourage sensible precautions when re-entering your home.

There is a lot going on right now in Los Angeles so it’s important to remember that the situation has not been stabilized. If we are not in the direct line of fire we can let our guard down, but embers, fire and smoke move rapidly, and evacuation orders can come fast and furious and there is often little time to react. If you are near an evacuation zone please prepare now, and if you can, evacuate ahead of the order just to be safe.

We are in the midst of what might be one of the largest tragedies for Los Angeles in our lifetimes. The loss and pain are not only raw but growing day by day as the fires continue. It may seem too soon to think about rebuilding, but we must protect our future—our ability to rebuild—by reacting quickly.

From sustainable solutions to smart homes, this year’s trends combine function, comfort, and creativity.  If you’re planning a redesign, a new build, or looking for inspiration, here are the top home design trends set to dominate in 2025.