San Diego’s flooding crisis has moved from warning signs to financial consequences. This week, the San Diego City Council signaled its intent to approve $6.3 million in payments to flood insurers for losses arising out of the January 2024 storms. The money will come directly from the City’s own liability reserves, not for a new […]
Homeowners and buyers across Southern California are struggling to secure basic fire insurance, being denied coverage, losing out on deals, and facing lenders demanding insurance requirements or limits the buyer cannot obtain. In an attempt to help homeowners and buyers, and in response to the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, the state legislature introduced new […]
The merger between Compass, Inc. and Anywhere Real Estate isn’t just another headline about industry consolidation. It represents a fundamental reshaping of the residential brokerage landscape, creating a single firm with the kind of market power that antitrust regulators usually watch closely. What looks like a business deal on paper has real implications for buyers, […]
California created a multi‑billion‑dollar Wildfire Fund to steady the system when utility equipment is blamed for catastrophic blazes. In 2026, lawmakers are signaling that the program’s design could shift, changes that may find their way into utility bills, insurance options, and home finances for everyday homeowners. Below, you’ll find an explanation of how the fund […]
San Diego Flooding: What Our Community Has Endured and What Tenants & Landlords Need to Know The heavy rains and extensive flooding that hit San Diego in early 2024 were more than just a weather headline, they disrupted lives, damaged homes and rental properties, and left many residents scrambling for answers. From Southeast neighborhoods like […]
In Volume 1, we explored the Sitzer-Burnett lawsuit and the landmark NAR settlement that reshaped the real estate industry. Now, in Volume 2, we turn to the practical side: what these changes mean for you as a buyer or seller. From new rules on agent compensation to how negotiations work today, here’s what you need […]
Moving The Goal Post: Strategies for California Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 Settlement Offers Overview and policy purpose California Code of Civil Procedure Section 998 (“Section 998”) is a settlement offer statute designed to push parties toward realistic compromise by attaching meaningful financial consequences to the rejection of a qualifying offer. Its mechanism is […]
San Diego is rolling out major wildfire‑prevention rules in 2026 that will reshape how residents maintain their homes and yards. With extreme fire conditions becoming more common, the city is tightening standards to reduce the risk posed by wind‑driven embers, a leading cause of home ignitions during wildfires. Below is a clear guide for what […]
The real estate industry is undergoing one of its most significant shifts in decades, driven by a landmark lawsuit and a historic settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). At the center of this change is the Sitzer-Burnett case, which challenged long-standing practices around real estate commissions and sparked nationwide debate. In this first […]
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued internal guidance directing U.S. consular posts worldwide to pause immigrant visa issuance for nationals of certain countries deemed to be at high risk of becoming a public charge. This pause takes effect January 21, 2026, and will remain in place until further notice. While this […]
Compass and Brands like Coldwell Banker, Century 21 and Sotheby’s International Realty Merge: How Does It Impact Buyers and Sellers? The merger between Compass and Anywhere (parent company to Coldwell Banker, Century 21, etc.) creates a real estate giant with enormous reach and hundreds of thousands of agents under one umbrella. While this sounds impressive, […]
San Diego, CA – January 9, 2026 – Hoffman Forde and Co-Counsel Poli, Moon & Zane are proud to announce a significant victory on behalf of their client, Key Allegro Condominiums Council of Co-Owners, Inc., in a complex construction defect dispute arising from repairs following Hurricane Harvey. After extensive proceedings before the American Arbitration Association, […]
Estate planning is as much about preventing future litigation as it is about distributing assets. A legally valid document alone does not guarantee peace for surviving loved ones. Disputes can arise from unclear instructions, poor record-keeping, family tensions, and questions about mental capacity or undue influence. The following strategies offer practical, attorney-level insight to help […]
The Department of Homeland Security has launched a new immigration program under the Trump administration: the Trump Gold Card Processing system, now live at trumpcard.gov. The program introduces three high-investment options for individuals and corporations seeking expedited immigration benefits. While marketed as streamlined, each option involves complex eligibility requirements—and significant financial commitments. 1. Trump […]
Running a business in California means balancing opportunity with risk. In such a complex legal environment, one of the most effective ways to protect your company is through a well-drafted business contract. A contract is more than a signature or formality—it’s the legal foundation upon which your enterprise operates. When crafted with foresight and precision, […]
From Bankers Hill to La Jolla, Hoffman & Forde represents clients across Southern California with clear counsel, strategic insight, and results that hold up under pressure.