ALTADENA, Calif.: The first property in Altadena with a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in January has officially sold, sparking concerns among residents about the future of their community. The Calaveras Street property, listed for $449,000, sold for well over the asking price just days after hitting the market, according to Brock Harris, the listing agent.
The Eaton Fire, which erupted on January 7, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, leaving families to decide whether to rebuild or sell their properties.
High Demand for Rebuildable Lots
Harris said the lot’s sale attracted over 100 interested buyers and dozens of offers, primarily from professional home builders.
“Phone blew up. Twenty, thirty calls per day,” Harris said. “We priced it well and ended up with a dozen offers.”
The property, which remains covered in ash and debris, is valuable due to its flat and buildable location in Los Angeles County—a rarity that is in high demand.
Decisions Facing Homeowners
According to Harris, fire survivors in Altadena face three main options:
- Rebuild their homes
- Wait and do nothing
- Sell the lot and move on
The woman who sold the property explained that she chose to sell rather than wait years to rebuild because she had been renting it as an investment.
Community Concerns: Will Developers Change Altadena’s Character?
The sale has added to community concerns over whether developers and homebuilders will change the character of Altadena’s family-oriented neighborhoods.
“There’s this whole thing about, like, are developers going to ruin Altadena?” Harris said. “But every call I got from people wanting to build homes, they want to build in Altadena and build Altadena-style homes.”
Harris predicts that Altadena’s comeback will involve a mix of local families rebuilding and professional developers constructing new homes at different paces.
Residents Express Concerns Over the City’s Future
Families affected by the fire, like the Munoz family, worry that rebuilding efforts could change the fabric of their community.
“It was a lot of family homes, it really sucks,” said Jeanette Munoz, whose home was destroyed. “I am worried about it, but I hope they stick it out and rebuild stronger than ever.”
Altadena faces a critical period of rebuilding, with homeowners balancing decisions about whether to sell or stay. While developers bring resources and expertise, locals hope that new homes will maintain the charm and character of the community they love.
As the city rebuilds, its future will likely be shaped by a combination of longtime residents and new construction projects, potentially creating a blended community of old and new.
