Hi Dennis, et al

Yes, there are many variables in retrofitting, however, the case you cited is rather rare. To retrofit a single story, frame home, with a solid perimeter foudation, takes no more than the purchase of the bolts and renting a cement drill and following a little information that goes with it. In some cases funding is available to homeowners up to $20,000.

As to the thought process that people will just walk away from their homes, in fact, you can't really just walk away. If you don't pay that mortgage, you're going to have a credit problem, so its not really an option most would chose to initiate.

One other little bit I forgot earlier was in order to receive disaster relief, a disaster has to be declared by the Govenor. Sometimes earthquakes happen and the damage in some areas may be isolated, so without quake coverage, you are left to your own to fix the damage.

The house I inspected after the RCF's 4.2 last year was substantial, both to structure and contents. The lady had quake coverage and had enough damage to collect. No one else in her area had any damage. I have no doubt her house sits right on top of the faultline. It was a mess.

One last note. Remember when you apply for disaster assistance, first of all you have to stand in a line for a darn long time. After you complete numerous forms it takes a minimum of three months before you'll see any money. If past experience is a teacher, many who completed loan applications in Loma Prieta and Northridge had to do the paperwork two and three times because it kept getting lost. Businesses fare out much worse. Its between six months and a year before they have any hope of financial relief. While low costs loans at 8% sound good, you have to remember, you have to qualify for those loans and be able to keep making your mortgage payment, often when you aren't living at home, camp out in an apartment for awhile and then pay the government back.

Though earthquakes are hard on the nerves and loss of life is horrible, sometimes what happens to people in a financial way, can change their financial life forever. Its the disaster, after the disaster that you hear little about, but believe me, it is as difficult as the other aspects.

Petra