Latest news with #SteveRuffner
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood Offers Resilience, Insurance Benefits
The nation's first Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood is located in Escondido, California, a suburb of ... More San Diego. A great kitchen! Great schools! Great location! These have all been highly sought-after attributes by prospective homebuyers for decades. Fire resilience? That attribute is new, sparked by recent wildfires across the country – especially the devastating blazes in Los Angeles this past January – and insurance companies cancelling policies for high risk regions. A new Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood program from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, building on its successful Wildfire Prepared Home program, is betting that fire resilience will be an important new attribute for home buyers. The nation'sfirst certified community, KB Home's Dixon Trail, is located in Escondido, California, a suburb 45 miles northeast of San Diego. The latest 2025 Cal Fire map puts the upscale 64-home single family development in a high risk zone. So it's not surprising that the first feature mentioned on the Dixon Trail website is 'Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood.' 'We view this as an important research and development project to better understand the benefits,' shares Steve Ruffner, KB Home Coastal's regional general manager. Dixon Trail will serve as a model for the company's wildfire mitigation efforts, he added. Ruffner's team saw a demonstration of the WPH fire resilience features at a 2024 conference, which led to conversations about bringing those attributes to an entire KB Home community. Dixon Trail had just broken ground at the time, 'so timing and location made it an ideal choice for this pilot program,' he notes. The certified neighborhood program had just been finalized, so that Dixon Trail was the first community building to that standard, notes an IBHS spokesperson. 'What we see in Escondido at the Dixon Trail development with KB Home is what we need to see replicated across the West. When new construction is occurring, we need to build homes that are survivable and insurable. Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood are exactly the pathway to those ends,' declares Roy Wright, IBHS' CEO. The trade organization is getting inquiries from other builders and developers to potentially get their neighborhoods certified. How does a development qualify as a Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood? Only homes in California and Oregon are currently eligible for the designation, though other states will be added soon, an IBHS spokesperson says. All homes must be spaced a minimum of 10 feet apart, have a Class A roof, have a homeowners association and build each residence to Wildfire Prepared Home standards. (Depending on the neighborhood's location, it will require Plus or Basic levels for the individual homes.) 'KB Homes worked closely with IBHS to pre-designate the homes in that community based on the model designs and landscaping,' notes Ivan O'Neill, a Sonoma County-based WPH certification reviewer and wildland firefighter. 'Once homeowners purchase the home, they will be required in the HOA CC&Rs to get the designation, and it's all set up for them to create an account and get it done,' O'Neill explains. These are the criteria for getting Wildfire Prepared Home certified to Basic or Plus levels. In addition to the peace of mind in having a home built to greater fire resilience than most resale homes and a community planned on that basis, there are insurance benefits for WPH owners in California. The state mandates discounts for specific fire resilience features and requires carriers in the state to advise homeowners of their property's wildfire risk score. 'To drive forward wildfire safety, the Department of Insurance created the nation's first insurance discount program for mitigation actions called Safer from Wildfires,' comments CDI's deputy insurance commissioner Michael Stoller. WPH mirrors the state program's criteria in many important ways, he notes, though it is separate. Insurance companies can provide added discounts beyond the state's requirements, he says. Some of them are doing exactly that for the IBHS programs. State Farm provides the state required discounts, and an additional discount for both WPH levels, a spokesperson shares. 'Depending on the combination of discounts a customer qualifies for, the total maximum wildfire mitigation discount a customer can receive for their homeowners policy in California is between 6.3% and 10.1%.' 'Generally, Farmers customers in California are eligible for discounts of up to 8% on their wildfire peril premium, depending on the number and types of risk mitigation measures implemented and the characteristics of the property. An inspection arranged through the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) is one way that customers may validate the specific measures which have been successfully implemented and may qualify for a discount,' notes a spokesperson from that carrier. 'We've proposed discounts of up to 39% for IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Plus (applies only to the wildfire peril premium) in our pending rate filing with the California Department of Insurance,' comments an executive with Mercury Insurance. 'We don't know when that will be approved, however, so there is no timeline of when these will be available to Mercury customers and California consumers.' Another challenge for California homeowners is policy cancellations. Thousands occurred in 2024, just months before the devastating LA fires. These impacted both individual owners and their homeowner associations. Many scrambled to find new coverage, often with much higher premiums and deductibles. Mercury also notes, 'Homes that have been certified as a Wildfire Prepared Home or Wildfire Prepared Home Plus are excellent risks and it's highly likely that Mercury would renew these customers. Other factors are also considered when offering renewals, but we believe homes that achieve these designations are significantly better wildfire risks and would therefore be much more likely to be renewed.' 'I think this is the future of most (or all) new housing developments in California that are located on the outskirts of existing communities,' O'Neill predicts. The cost difference is minimal when planned ahead, he points out. 'Developers need to follow KB Homes' lead and build to the WPH Plus level standard from the beginning and ensure that their future homebuyers will have access to more insurance options.' ***Note: All interviews were conducted by email in May 2025.
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
KB Home Announces a Rare Opportunity to Own a New Townhome in a Prime Tustin, California Location
TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KB Home (NYSE: KBH), one of the largest and most trusted homebuilders in the U.S., today announced the grand opening of Stafford Glen, which offers a rare opportunity to own a new townhome in a highly desirable Tustin, California location. The new homes are designed for the way people live today, with popular interior features like modern kitchens overlooking great rooms, bedroom suites with walk-in closets, and ample storage space. The community's three-story floor plans feature up to four bedrooms and four baths. Several floor plans will include a first-floor bedroom, ideal for multigenerational families, college students or a home office. Small business owners will also appreciate the available live/work units that allow them to operate their business from home. Stafford Glen is walking distance to Tustin High School and shopping, dining and entertainment in Old Town Tustin. Planned community amenities include a park with open space, a picnic area and barbecues. What sets KB Home apart is the company's focus on building strong, personal relationships with every customer, so they have a real partner in the homebuying process. Every KB home is uniquely built for each customer, so no two KB homes are the same. Their home comes to life in the KB Home Design Studio, a one-of-a-kind experience where customers get both expert advice and the opportunity to select from a wide range of design choices that fit their style and their budget. Reflecting the company's commitment to creating an exceptional homebuying experience, KB Home is the #1 customer-ranked national homebuilder based on homebuyer satisfaction surveys from a leading third-party review site. 'We are pleased to offer Southern California homebuyers a rare opportunity to own a spacious new townhome in a prime location walking distance to shopping, dining and entertainment in Old Town Tustin,' said Steve Ruffner, Regional General Manager of KB Home. 'Homeowners will appreciate the community's proximity to Orange County's popular beaches and attractions as well as local schools. Stafford Glen also features a planned on-site park with open space, a picnic area and barbecues. At KB Home, we're here to help you achieve your dream with a personalized new home built uniquely for you and your life.' Innovative design plays an essential role in every home KB builds. The company's floor plans inspire contemporary living, with a focus on roomy, light-filled spaces that have easy indoor/outdoor flow. KB homes are engineered to be highly energy and water efficient and include features that support healthier indoor environments. They are also designed to be ENERGY STAR ® certified — a standard that fewer than 12% of new homes nationwide meet — offering greater comfort, well-being and utility cost savings than new homes without certification. Stafford Glen is situated in a commuter-friendly location that offers homebuyers an exceptional lifestyle. The new community is located just off Interstate 5 at the corner of Newport Avenue and El Camino Real, providing easy access to Interstates 5 and 405, State Routes 55, 133 and 261, the area's major job centers and John Wayne Airport. Stafford Glen is close to a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment as well as University of California, Irvine and Concordia University Irvine. Residents will also enjoy the community's proximity to outdoor recreation and attractions, including Orange County's world-famous beaches, Disneyland Resort ®, California Adventure Park ®, Honda Center ®, Angel Stadium and Tustin Ranch Golf Club. Stafford Glen's sales office is open for walk-in visits and private in-person tours by appointment. Homebuyers also have the flexibility to arrange a live video tour with a sales counselor. Pricing begins from the low $900,000s. For more information on KB Home, call 888-KB-HOMES or visit KB Home is one of the largest and most trusted homebuilders in the United States. We operate in 49 markets, have built nearly 700,000 quality homes in our more than 65-year history, and are honored to be the #1 customer-ranked national homebuilder based on third-party buyer surveys. What sets KB Home apart is building strong, personal relationships with every customer and creating an exceptional experience that offers our homebuyers the ability to personalize their home based on what they value at a price they can afford. As the industry leader in sustainability, KB Home has achieved one of the highest residential energy-efficiency ratings and delivered more ENERGY STAR ® certified homes than any other builder, helping to lower the total cost of homeownership. For more information, visit
USA Today
01-04-2025
- General
- USA Today
A first-of-its-kind neighborhood in California fights fire by just existing
A first-of-its-kind neighborhood in California fights fire by just existing Insurers say a neighborhood like the one built in Southern California protects residents from fire — and perhaps other close by properties as well. Show Caption Hide Caption Timelapse shows speed of Palisades fire in California A timelapse video shows the speed of the devastating Palisades fire in California, which has forced thousands to flee. In June, Steve Ruffner watched a demonstration where two sheds were set on fire. As a result of what he saw, people 30 miles north of San Diego are now moving into homes far less likely to burn in a wildfire. 'I was shocked,' said Ruffner, who is president of KB Home Coastal, a large U.S. home builder. The company had already broken ground on a 64-home development in the city of Escondido. After a rapid redesign – and with the city's enthusiastic blessing – it was built as the nation's first fire resilient community, a distinction touted by KB Home Coastal and confirmed by insurance groups. The first residents have already moved in. Insurers say a neighborhood like the one built in Southern California protects residents from fire — and perhaps other close by properties as well. That's because having a whole community that resists fire could act like a fire break, giving neighboring communities a buffer from wildfire. What Ruffner saw in June was the power of small and relatively inexpensive changes to standard building practices that can significantly protect homes from wildfires. The demonstration sheds had been built side-by-side, one to building code from 1980s, the other to California's Wildfire Building Code, which mandates fire-resistant construction methods and materials. While officials, contractors and builders watched, fires were lit in the wood chips in the flower beds in front of the sheds, then large fans were turned on to mimic conditions during the hot, windy weather of a Red Flag fire event. "The one built to the 1980s code burned down in 45 minutes," said Ruffner. "The other one didn't burn at all.' Knowing the development was in an area at high wildfire risk, Ruffner went back to his architects and designers and asked "How fast can we pivot?" Their goal was to incorporate the highest wildfire resilience standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by property insurers. Designers tweaked plans and materials and changed landscaping to add features that protect against the biggest fire dangers – flying embers, flames and radiant heat. These included: Covered gutters to keep embers out Enclosed eaves so embers can't be sucked into attics Stucco and fiber cement siding that can't burn Tempered-glass windows that don't shatter in heat Patios, doors and roofing that can't burn Metal fencing so fire can't follow fence lines to a house At least five feet of low-combustible, defensive space around all the homes None of these measures is hugely expensive or difficult but together they help create houses much less likely to burn if a wildfire threatens the area. A force multiplier for fire safety The homes in the Dixon Trails development conform to IBHS's Wildfire-Prepared Home Plus designation, its most stringent standard. Once inspected they can be certified, potentially lowering insurance costs. Such standards are not new though they have evolved significantly over the years. Homes in California, Arizona and across the country began adding fire safe features to make existing and new-built homes more fire resistant in early 1990s. Experience, testing and inspection of homes that survive major wildfires has helped standards become more effective. A home built to the highest fire standards stands a good chance of surviving fires that others don't. "If there's a fire in the foothills behind a neighborhood, embers may fly in and land, but they're going to fizzle out because there's nothing to ignite," said Roy Wright, CEO of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. During the 2022 Oak fire in Mariposa County, California, homes that were compliant with defensible space standards were six times more likely to survive, according to the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force. What is new in Escondido is than an entire neighborhood has been built to these standards, adding a significant layer of survivability. Fires are different from hurricanes and tornadoes, notes said Karen Collins, vice president for Property & Environmental with the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. A reinforced roof or impact-resistant storm shutters offers good protection for the homeowner – what their neighbors do isn't really important. "When you hurricane-harden your home, you do you and you're done," she said. Fire does not respect property lines and jumps from house to house. What happens on your neighbor's property can matter a lot to what happens on yours. "If your house is perfect but your neighbor's is a trash heap, all that fire is going to come your way," said Wright. That's the power of a wildfire prepared neighborhood, he said. "It literally acts as a passive fire break just by the way its constructed and developed," he said. Not only are the homes in the development protected from fire leapfrogging from lot to lot, but other neighborhoods nearby are safer too. "Depending on which way the winds are blowing, this neighborhood could likely shelter an older neighborhood that's adjacent to it," Wright said. Insurance savings for fire-safe homes As millions of homeowners have learned, America is in the midst of an insurance crisis as climate change effects intensify potential property damage from wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and flooding and insurers scramble to price rising risk. Between 2000 to about 2013, insurance costs made up 7% to 8% of the typical mortgage payment. Starting around 2013, premiums surged. As of 2022, insurance costs made up more than 20% of the typical mortgage payment, according to data from analytics provider First Street. Hardening a home, or a neighborhood, against wildfire and having it certified as such can lower costs and make it more likely insurance won't be dropped. "These certifications are recognized widely by insurers nationally and improve insurability," said Janet Ruiz with the Insurance Information Institute. "There are many companies that offer discounts to homeowners who have these certifications. The range varies by company, often 5 to 20%," she said. It can also raise a home's value. An Alabama study found that homes whose roofs are fortified against hurricane damage sold on average for 7% higher, said Collins. A growing need nationwide The need for such homes isn't confined to California. With the climate warming and drying, the threat is everywhere. Recently, fires have burned in the Carolinas, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. Because the changes aren't really that major, the cost isn't much higher than regular construction. A study done in 2022 estimated the cost to construct a wildfire resistant new home was about $3,000 more than a regular home. "If someone wants to build a concrete and steel bunker and spend $5 million doing it I'm not going to tell them they're wrong," Wright said. "But what this demonstrates is that there are normal ways to build, with small modifications, that provide significant wildfire protection. We can start thinking of this as normal." He also emphasized that such building isn't necessary everywhere, only in wildfire-prone areas. "This is not appropriate in downtown Long Beach," said Wright. "If you are far away from an area at high risk for wildfire, none of this is needed."
NBC News
27-03-2025
- Business
- NBC News
KB Home unveils its first 'fire-resilient' community in Southern California
Just months after raging wildfires destroyed thousands of homes in the Los Angeles area, California-based KB Home is unveiling what it calls its first 'wildfire-resilient' community. The development, in Escondido, just outside San Diego, will have 64 single-family homes when completed that all meet the wildfire resilience standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), a nonprofit, scientific research and communications organization supported by property insurers. These standards are designed to protect the homes against the three major sources of ignition during a wildfire: Flying embers, flames and radiant heat. A handful of homes in the development are now complete, with roughly 20 homes already sold. Three homeowners have moved in, according to KB Home. The homes are built with covered gutters, enclosed eaves, noncombustible siding — like stucco and fiber cement — tempered-glass windows, and non-combustible patios, doors and roofing. They have six-inch vertical clearance using the concrete foundation, stucco and stone. They also incorporate defensible space with low-combustible vegetation at least 5 feet from the homes. Metal fencing is used throughout the neighborhood. Steve Ruffner, regional general manager of KB Home's coastal division, said he and his colleagues saw a fire-resistant home demonstration by IBHS at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference last summer and were impressed by the opportunity this type of community presented. Since KB Home had already broken ground on the development, they had to change gears quickly to incorporate the fire-resilient components. 'We had to change the architecture on the fly to a more stucco-oriented architecture with fire-resistant shutters, or fire-free shutters and doors and tempered windows. We were able to do that really quickly with the city, because they wanted to work with us. They really understood that this was important for their city,' Ruffner said. He called it more of a research and development project to see what the costs might be and how to work with trade partners to lower that cost, although he wouldn't say how much those costs increased. The homes range from $1 million to the low millions, which tends to be a move-up price in that area for single-family, detached homes. 'We're trying to get the cost to a reasonable place, because we really specialize in first-time buyers and first-time move-up buyers. So we want to make sure we can get this in a good place where it's affordable to do it and it's also got a good payback to the customer in a form of safety,' he added. As climate change causes more severe drought in more areas of the country, focus is shifting to fire-resistant homes and communities. During the the Palisades Fire in January, some homes that had been specifically built to fire-resistant standards remained unscathed while everything around them was destroyed. These types of homes, however, are largely one-offs by custom builders. There has been progress in California on a home-by-home basis, according to IBHS, but KB Home is the first big production builder in the country that has designed and is fully building out 64 homes all to meet the wildfire-prepared neighborhood standard. Among the specifications, homes are spaced 10 feet apart to help slow the progression of a fire. 'This subdivision built by KB Home, it's really the test bed to show this and demonstrate it,' said Roy Wright, CEO of IBHS. 'I know that KB Home already has two other projects here in Escondido, looking at duplexes and other kinds of town homes, and I do imagine that other builders are going to quickly follow suit. They're going to be building the homes that Californians want to buy.' Wright emphasized that part of the draw is not just to build a home that is survivable, but also one that is insurable. Insurance companies have been pulling out of California in droves, leaving homeowners with soaring costs and some without insurance entirely. Though the homes are billed as fire-resilient, that doesn't mean they are entirely risk-free. Homeowners and cities are going to have to make changes when it comes to non-combustible landscaping, elevations and even design. The real test will come in the future, should the community be in the line of a wildfire. 'Nothing is ever fireproof. We're always just seeking to try to narrow those paths of destruction,' said Wright.
