103. Built to Last. Or Fail? with George Siegel

Are homes really built to last… or just built to sell?In this eye-opening episode, Izumi sits down with documentary filmmaker George Siegal, creator of Built to Last: Buyer Beware, to uncover the uncomfortable truth about how most homes are actually built—and why so many fail when disaster strikes.From hurricanes in Florida to wildfires in California, George shares heartbreaking stories of homeowners who lost everything—and the common patterns behind those losses. The biggest takeaway? Most homes are built to the minimum code, not for long-term resilience.If you’re a homeowner, buyer, investor, or real estate professional, this conversation may completely change how you look at homes.In this episode, we cover:Why “built to code” often means built to the bare minimumThe biggest mistakes homebuyers make when evaluating a propertyHow disasters reveal hidden weaknesses in our homesWhy rebuilding after a disaster can take years—not monthsThe surprising connection between resilience and sustainabilityWhat questions you must ask before buying or building a homeHow insurance, building practices, and human behavior all play a roleGeorge also shares practical tips—including how one simple correction saved him $1,000/year on insurance—and why homeowners need to take responsibility for understanding the true quality of their homes.🎬 Watch the film: Built to Last: Buyer Beware 📄 Free resource: Essential questions to ask before buying a homeBottom line:Don’t just fall in love with the finishes—the countertops, the floors, the “wow” factor.Understand the bones of the house… because that’s what determines whether it survives.