Make Informed Decisions on Wildfire Risk and Insurance
We consult with owners, sellers, and realtors to help make the most informed decisions when it comes to risk and the acquisition of insurance, even in Very High Fire Severity Zones.
Wildfire Risk Can Make or Break a Transaction
In Northern California, wildfire risk and insurance availability now sit at the center of many real estate deals. Buyers worry about what a property will cost to insure. Sellers watch deals stall over non-renewal notices and FAIR Plan questions. Realtors are caught in the middle, trying to keep transactions moving without overstating or understating the risk.
An independent, standards-based assessment cuts through the uncertainty. Instead of guesswork, everyone at the table gets a clear picture of the property's actual risk, what it will take to insure it, and which improvements deliver the most value.
Even in Very High Fire Severity Zones, there are concrete, prioritized steps that reduce risk and improve insurability. We help owners, buyers, sellers, and realtors understand those options and act on them.
Who We Help
Support at Every Stage of the Deal
Whether you are buying, selling, or representing a client, we provide the independent wildfire and insurance perspective that keeps decisions grounded in facts.
Buyers
Understand the true wildfire risk of a property before you close. We identify what a home needs, what it will cost to insure, and whether the risk fits your plans, so there are no surprises after the sale.
Sellers
Address wildfire and insurance concerns before they stall a deal. A pre-listing assessment shows buyers the property has been evaluated by a professional and gives you a clear, prioritized punch list to improve marketability.
Realtors
Give your clients a credible, independent voice on wildfire risk and insurance. We help you keep transactions moving, set realistic expectations, and protect your reputation with objective, standards-based guidance.
What Our Assessment Delivers
Our consultation gives buyers, sellers, and realtors the clarity they need to make informed decisions about risk and insurance.
True wildfire risk of the property, based on standards, not guesswork
Defensible space and structural vulnerabilities that affect insurability
What the property needs to qualify for standard-market coverage
Cost-benefit priorities so dollars go toward the highest-impact fixes
Documentation and photographs insurers and carriers want to see
Guidance on getting off the FAIR Plan and back to standard coverage
Risk context for properties in Very High Fire Severity Zones
A prioritized action plan buyers or sellers can act on quickly
Why Real Estate Professionals Choose WMA
Independent and Objective
Your assessment fee is the only payment we receive. We perform no remediation work and accept no per-referral fees or commissions tied to the work that follows. That independence is exactly what buyers, sellers, and realtors need at the negotiating table.
Insurance-Focused
We understand what carriers look for and how to document it. Our assessment helps address insurance issues head-on, including a realistic path toward getting off the FAIR Plan and back to standard coverage.
Deep Local Experience
Stuart Mitchell has completed over 1,000 property assessments across Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Mendocino Counties. That local knowledge translates into realistic, credible guidance for every transaction.
NFPA Certified
Stuart Mitchell holds the Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) credential from the National Fire Protection Association, the highest recognized standard for wildfire risk assessment in the United States.
Real Estate & Insurance FAQ
Common questions from owners, buyers, sellers, and realtors
Insights on wildfire risk, insurance, and property protection from our field experience
Bring Clarity to Your Next Transaction
Whether you are buying, selling, or representing a client, we help you make informed decisions about wildfire risk and insurance. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation.
Schedule a Consultation