Top cities where LA wildfire victims are relocating: celebrity realtor

Celebrity real estate agent Josh Altman is seeing a huge spike in interest among displaced Pacific Palisades residents in seven specific areas following the devastating fire last month.

During an interview with FOX Business, Altman explained that he gets multiple phone calls daily from families who are looking to move to Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, Newport Beach, Scottsdale and Las Vegas.

“Well, listen. It’s not what they would move to? It’s what we know they’re moving to. It’s the deals that are getting closed. The first place they’re looking is Santa Monica and Brentwood. And I’m telling you, I get requests for Santa Monica and Brentwood throughout the day, every day for the past month,” Altman said. 

“And the bumps in the values have been something that has been more aggressive than when we got out of COVID, when that market for, you know, real estate was amazing. The bumps have been more aggressive than when rates were at 2%. We’re talking about a whole new landscape.”

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“And also, by the way, comps, you can forget about comps. Comps don’t exist anymore. If it wasn’t a comp from this new year on, it’s not a comp. So that’s a new market that we’re kind of navigating through,” he continued.

“As far as the other places, first, Brentwood, Santa Monica, second, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, third, Newport Beach, fourth, Scottsdale, Vegas. That’s what I’m seeing a lot of.”  

“As far as the other places, first, Brentwood, Santa Monica, second, Beverly Hills, Lower Bel-Air, third, Newport Beach, fourth, Scottsdale, Vegas. That’s what I’m seeing a lot of.” 

– Josh Altman

Altman told FOX Business that he spoke to someone who shared that a public school in Newport Beach has received 76 new applicants from Los Angeles families, displaced by the LA Fires, in the last 10 days alone. 

The realtor explained that it Is too early to know if these moves are permanent but did share that families are looking for stability for their children. 

“You get comfortable and you have kids. There’s you know, you don’t want to move a lot. And then it also comes down to the school situation. Where are the schools going to be now that you know that they’re moving not in the Palisades, you know, whether they’re being put in buildings locally where the kids are going to be. Look, as a parent, that’s the most important thing. It’s all about the kids,” Altman said.

Altman told FOX Business he still believes 70% of Palisades residents will not return to the community following the fires. 

“There’s just going to be a whole new group. Because I got to tell you, and I keep saying this, it’s one of the most special places in the country. There is a totally new market, which we’re still trying to navigate through,” he said. 

WATCH: Josh Altman still believes 70% of Palisades residents won’t return following the fires

“What is the dirt worth for the people who are not going to rebuild when they sell it? Who’s going to be the first person to take the offer when we’re allowed to close a deal? Because there’s been a moratorium out there where you can’t close as of right now. And how is that going to affect all the rest of the sales in that area? And unfortunately, I think they’re going to be a little lower than people expect,” Altman continued.

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According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire is 95% contained as of Feb. 5. The fire burnt down 6,831 structures and homes. It burned 23,448 acres. 12 people died during the Palisades Fire and four were injured.