By Eddie Lorin, Monument Home Builders
Summer 2026
A Practical Tool to Help Palisades & Malibu Homeowners Decide
In the months following a major loss, many homeowners in Pacific Palisades find themselves facing one of the most difficult decisions they will ever make: whether to rebuild on their property or sell and move elsewhere.
This decision is rarely straightforward. Insurance settlements, construction timelines, financing realities, and family considerations all play a role. For many people, the number of moving parts makes it hard to even know where to begin, leaving them feeling stuck in uncertainty. To help bring clarity to this process, a new portal has been created to guide homeowners through a structured decision-making process.
The portal, available at: www.monumenthomebuilders.com/survey, is a questionnaire built to help homeowners better understand their situation, identify key constraints, and think through next steps.
Rather than offering generic advice, the portal helps homeowners evaluate their specific circumstances in a practical and organized way.
This practical tool assists homeowners evaluate if they are in a position to take on rebuilding their home. For some the answer is yes. Unfortunately for others, the answer is no.
How the Portal Works
The questionnaire walks homeowners through several categories of questions that reflect the real issues involved in rebuilding or selling. Each section focuses on a different part of the decision-making process.
Living Plans and Personal Priorities
The survey begins by helping homeowners reflect on their personal situation. Questions explore how long they lived in their home, whether they have family ties in the Palisades, and who may be living with and near them in the future.
Participants are also asked to identify their biggest concerns regarding next steps. These may include obtaining insurance, financing a rebuild, navigating the construction process, or uncertainty about how the neighborhood will recover. These responses help clarify the personal priorities that often influence long-term decisions.
Where You Are in the Rebuilding Process
Another section focuses on progress and timing. Homeowners can indicate whether they are still working through insurance, preparing architectural plans, beginning permitting, or looking for guidance on how to start.
Insurance and Claim Status
Insurance proceeds and claim progress often determine what options are realistically available. The survey includes questions about insurance carriers, estimated proceeds, whether proceeds must be used to rebuild on the existing lot, and whether the homeowner is working with an adjuster or public adjuster. These factors can significantly influence both the timing and feasibility of rebuilding.
Financial and Mortgage Considerations
Financial realities are an important part of the decision, and the portal addresses these directly. Homeowners are asked about household income ranges, mortgage balances, and whether they are currently in mortgage forbearance. These questions help identify potential constraints that may affect rebuilding feasibility or financing options. The purpose is not to make judgments, but to ensure homeowners consider the financial framework surrounding a rebuild or sale.
Funding and Financing Options
For homeowners considering rebuilding, the portal also explores how construction might be funded. Questions address how many months of rental compensation remain, how a potential funding gap might be covered, and whether the homeowner is interested in learning about construction loans, second trust deed financing, or potential joint-venture structures (where the owner can partner with a builder and build in order to deliver a finished home and not leave money on the table by selling vacant land too early). These questions are designed to help homeowners recognize that there may be multiple paths to rebuilding, even when insurance alone does not cover the full cost.
Property and Design Considerations
The survey also addresses practical rebuilding steps such as desired home size, whether a land survey or engineering evaluation has been completed, and whether an architect has been hired.
Homeowners are also asked whether they are considering adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or JADU, which may be used for rental income or family needs and can play a role in long-term planning.
A Tool for Clarity, Not Pressure
The goal of the portal is not to push homeowners toward rebuilding or selling. Both paths can be the right decision depending on individual circumstances.
Instead, the purpose is to help people move from uncertainty to clarity. By working through the questionnaire, many homeowners find they gain a clearer understanding of their priorities, constraints, and possible next steps. For those who have felt overwhelmed, organizing the decision into manageable pieces can be an important first step forward.
About the Author
Eddie Lorin, CEO, Monument Home Builders. Monument Home Builders is a residential builder and development team with decades of experience in homebuilding, construction management, and project financing.
The survey and portal were created by Monument Home Builders as a complimentary resource to help Pacific Palisades homeowners better understand their options and make informed decisions about rebuilding or selling. The goal is to provide practical information and guidance so homeowners can move forward with confidence, whatever path they choose.