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LA Wildfire Rebuild vs. Buy Calculator

Enter your numbers to estimate your funding gap and compare your options. All figures are estimates — see disclaimer below.

Brought to you by Highline Wealth Partners and FPA of Los Angeles
SBA Loan Deadline — June 30, 2026: If you have an approved SBA disaster loan you have not yet accepted, you must execute your loan documents at lending.sba.gov or in person before June 30. Call 800-659-2955 or visit appointment.sba.gov.
Your Home
How large was your home before the fire?
Choose the option closest to your planned rebuild. You can also enter your contractor's quote below.
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Typical range: permits $15–40K · design $50–150K · site prep $20–60K
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Insurance & Existing Debt
Your policy's dwelling coverage payout
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Extra 25–100% above Coverage A, if your policy includes it
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Insurance proceeds typically pay this off first before any funds reach you
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Other Sources of Funds
SBA Disaster Loan
Up to $500,000 for your home · Up to $100,000 additional for personal property
Maximum: $500,000 for your home
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Determined by SBA based on your income and access to credit
CCF, Pacific Community Foundation, other nonprofits
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Non-retirement cash you can apply toward the gap
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Use a conservative estimate only. Do not plan around litigation proceeds, which can take years to resolve.
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ALE — Additional Living Expenses
What you are currently paying in rent, hotel, or temporary housing
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Check your insurance declarations page for your total housing allowance limit
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As of June 2026, most survivors are approximately 18 months in since the January 2025 fires

Your Next Steps

1
Check your SBA loan status at lending.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955. If approved and not yet drawn, act before June 30.
2
Free one-on-one sessions with a CFP® professional are available for LA fire survivors through FPA of Los Angeles. Email probono.fpala@gmail.com.
3
Consult a CPA familiar with wildfire losses before making decisions about your insurance settlement, lot, or taxes.
Your Current Situation
Your dwelling coverage payout
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Insurance typically pays this off first
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Lot Sale
Altadena lots: roughly $400K–$700K · Palisades lots: roughly $600K–$1.2M+. Get a broker opinion for your specific property.
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Selling your lot within approximately 2 years of the fire (~January 2027) may allow you to use Section 121 and Section 1033 together to significantly reduce or defer taxes on any gain. Speak with your CPA before selling.
Replacement Home
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From insurance, lot sale, savings, and other sources
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Current 30-year fixed rate is approximately 6.5% (June 2026)
ALE — Additional Living Expenses
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Your Next Steps

1
Get an independent broker's opinion on your lot value before listing. Values vary significantly by location.
2
Consult your CPA about the tax implications of selling your lot — the timing matters for Section 121, Section 1033, and Prop 19.
3
Free one-on-one sessions with a CFP® professional are available through FPA of Los Angeles. Email probono.fpala@gmail.com.
Fill out the Rebuild and Buy Elsewhere tabs first, then come back here to see a side-by-side comparison.

This Decision Deserves Professional Guidance

1
Free one-on-one sessions with a CFP® professional are available for LA fire survivors through FPA of Los Angeles. Email probono.fpala@gmail.com.
2
For more information about Highline Wealth Partners, visit highlinewp.com or email contact@highlinewp.com.

Free CFP® Sessions — FPA of Los Angeles

probono.fpala@gmail.com

Highline Wealth Partners

contact@highlinewp.com highlinewp.com
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER — PLEASE READ. This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on user-entered data and general assumptions; they may not reflect your actual situation, eligible costs, or recoverable amounts. This tool does not create a financial planning, advisory, or client relationship of any kind between the user and Highline Wealth Partners or the Financial Planning Association of Los Angeles (FPA of Los Angeles). All figures should be independently verified with qualified professionals before any financial decision is made. Consult a licensed financial planner, CPA, and attorney familiar with wildfire-related matters before making any decisions regarding your insurance settlement, lot sale, rebuild, or replacement home purchase. Construction costs, real estate values, interest rates, and insurance proceeds vary significantly. Highline Wealth Partners is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This tool is not an offer to buy or sell any security or investment product.
Sources & Assumptions — [1] SBA rates (2.563% / 5.125%): sba.gov, Physical Damage Loans (updated July 2025). Rate determined by SBA based on income and credit availability. [2] SBA maximums: $500,000 real property; $100,000 personal property; $600,000 combined. Source: sba.gov. [3] SBA interest: No interest accrues for first 12 months from date of first disbursement. Interest accrues on disbursed funds only — not the full approved loan amount. No prepayment penalty. Source: sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance/physical-damage-loans. [4] Construction tiers: Production $400–500/sq ft; Mid-range custom $700–900/sq ft; High-end $950–1,100/sq ft; Luxury $1,400–2,000/sq ft. Reflects 2025–2026 Los Angeles post-fire market estimates per United Policyholders and independent construction cost consultants. Actual costs vary significantly. [5] Mortgage rate default (6.5%): Freddie Mac PMMS national average as of June 18, 2026 (6.47%). [6] ALE: California Insurance Code §2060 requires minimum 24 months from date of loss, with up to 12-month extension available (36 months maximum). [7] Section 1033 replacement period: 4 years from close of first taxable year of gain realization; December 31, 2029 for January 2025 fire losses. Source: IRC §1033(h). [8] All calculations are estimates. This tool does not calculate taxes, depreciation recapture, or adjusted basis. Consult a tax professional for all tax-related decisions.