Rebuilding in Altadena: What Overwhelmed Homeowners Need to Know

baderjaffan
Jul 24
2 min read

If you’re an Altadena homeowner trying to make sense of your options after the Eaton Fire, you’re not alone and you’re not behind.

We’ve spoken to dozens of neighbors over the past few months who are feeling the same way: overwhelmed, uncertain, and stuck between selling their property or starting the long road to rebuilding.

Here’s what we’ve learned from walking alongside homeowners like you and what we want you to know as you make your next move.

Yes, Altadena’s Market Took a Hit, But That’s Only Part of the Story

In early 2025, Altadena’s median home price dropped nearly 39% year-over-year—falling from around $1.43M in 2024 to just $867,500 after the fire. That sharp dip has made many families question whether it’s even worth rebuilding.

But we’re seeing a shift. As insurance claims process, infrastructure gets restored, and rebuilds begin, we expect Altadena to recover faster than most post-disaster zones—because this is still a high-demand community with limited land and a strong architectural character.

You Don’t Have to Decide Everything at Once

We talk to many homeowners who feel like they need to know:

If they’ll rebuild and
How much it will cost and
How long it will take and
Who they’ll hire all at the same time.

Here’s the truth: You can take this step-by-step. A good design-build partner will help you gather information before you sign anything.

You can:

Assess your insurance payout options
Get a realistic cost range for rebuilding
Explore temporary solutions (like modular housing or rebuild-in-place)
Learn what’s permitted on your lot

And only then decide what’s right for your family.

Rebuilding is Possible, Even if Your Property Looks Like a Blank Lot

If your home was fully destroyed, you might assume it’ll be too expensive or difficult to start over.

But here’s what we’ve seen:

Flat lots in Altadena are easier to rebuild on than hillside ones.
You likely don’t need a full architectural firm residential homes under 2 stories can be designed by experienced designers and engineers (saving time and cost).
Your insurance may cover more than you think including temporary housing (ALE), demolition, and even upgraded code requirements.

You may be more ready than you realize.

What We’re Doing to Help

At Enhaus, we’ve been rebuilding homes in Altadena and the surrounding areas long before the fire. But post-fire, we’ve focused even more tightly on:

Helping homeowners understand insurance vs. rebuild math
Creating fire-resistant designs that still feel like home
Managing the entire design and build process under one roof so you don’t need to chase multiple vendors

We’ve walked this road before. We’d be honored to walk it with you.