Every Napa buyer — whether local or relocating — asks about wildfire risk and insurance availability. Winter is an excellent time to market a home because the landscape is greener, fuel moisture is higher, and defensible-space work is easier to showcase.

Transparency is your power move. I always recommend preparing a complete “Wildfire & Insurance Packet” before you list. This includes defensible-space reports, roof age, vent upgrades, gutter cleaning receipts, landscaping improvements, and any home-hardening projects. This isn’t just helpful — it’s a trust builder.

Insurance is top-of-mind, so providing buyers a clear understanding of claim history, mitigation steps, and sample quotes (when available) can cut the underwriting timeline dramatically. Buyers appreciate sellers who come prepared; it reduces surprises and makes them more likely to proceed with confidence.

Winter photography helps too — charred vegetation isn’t present, and the green season shows the land at its best. Marketing can highlight safety upgrades alongside lifestyle benefits, striking a balance between beauty and peace of mind.

In Napa, the homes that feel the most “prepared” often sell the fastest — and for stronger terms.