MOTHER NATURE On the other hand, you have states that are recording their worst droughts in history, with California being one of them. Governor Brown ordered a 25 percent water use reduction in April 2015 and affirmed that if California did not limit its use of water, it would completely run out within a year. To enforce the regulation, the state declared heavy fines—$500 per day—would be If you look back on the last decade, a lot has been written levied against residents who did not comply with the about global warming and how Earth is shifting. With new restrictions. flooding occurring in some parts of the country and droughts in others, it is a crucial time to remain attune In California, the new slogan “Golden is the New Green” to earth’s changes. Regardless of your beliefs on global refers to our dying yards. Drought-resistant plants have warming, an increasing amount of areas, including entire had to replace once succulent, gorgeous lawns. Planned states, are being affected by the wrath of Mother Nature. developments have been forced to alter the very landscapes that initially made them Recently, the state of Texas expemore desirable. These golden, rienced downpours that reached and sometimes by design, des15 feet over the normal water levert-themed yards are far from the el. This caused major flooding to green, prosperous scenery Calithe point that travel was prohibfornia has come to be known for. ited in some areas, schools were shut down and obtaining basic As in Texas, the drought has necessities became troublesome. created a complex problem for Natural disasters such as these are California’s third-party compaby no means a new occurrence, nies and real estate professionals. yet they are creating a bigger and Many cities over the past seven more complex problem within the years have invoked new fee struchousing industry. tures or levied fines up to $1,000 a day against absentee owners, inWith more properties being cluding banks, on dead yards. To “Regardless of your beliefs on global warming, managed by third parties, added further compound the heartbreak an increasing amount of areas, including regulations, and more restrictive of our dying landscapes, the water entire states, are being affected by the local government oversight, manrestrictions have created a loophole wrath of Mother Nature.” agement companies and vendors for inattentive owners as cities face alike are being forced to restructure and increase their the conundrum of enforcing or foregoing these fines. In workforce. In the event of a flood, there can be a surge California, if you were a new home developer in the past, of plumbers and roofers needed to repair the damages. one of the big enticements was having beautifully maniAdditionally, problems such as standing water, which cured yards at the model homes. New homebuilders must when not alleviated can lead to West Nile virus and oth- now have a new set of regulations regarding their lander health issues, can occur. Dry rot and water damage scapes and what they can offer. with the dreaded possibility of fungus also grow in probability, and there have even been cases of old oak trees With buying a home being one of the largest financial having to be removed because they were falling on prop- decisions your client will ever make and the growing erties and risking lives. Entire communities once vibrant complexity of aspects relating to housing, NAWRB with mature living history have now been decimated and wants to hear from you on the ways Mother Nature is stripped of their heritage. As this not only affects the forcing change on your community and business. How is companies managing the properties, homeowners have it affecting you and your clients, and what are you doing had to absorb the escalating cost of repairs resulting to overcome it? Email your comments to media@nawrb. from the incessant demand triggered by the floods. com or post online.
40
| NAWRB MAGAZINE