We recently sat down with Shelton Wilder, community builder and top producer with the Shelton Wilder Group, on our Luxury Presence Podcast. Originally from North Carolina, she has made Los Angeles her home in every sense, forging deep connections through her Wilder Women networking group and her widely followed “Wilder Wednesday” video series.
Known for her authenticity and advocacy, Wilder’s impact extends beyond transactions — she’s a source of support in times of both growth and crisis. That role has never been more vital than in the wake of the wildfires that devastated LA earlier this year, scarring the landscape, displacing families, and upending the housing market.
“January felt like a lifetime in a single month,” she told us. “It was horrific and heartbreaking.”
The true scale of the crisis
While news reports attempt to capture the loss, Wilder insists the reality is far more staggering. “It’s 10,000 times worse than what the headlines say,” she said. Schools have burned down, homes have been wiped out, and entire communities have been uprooted.
The fallout has put immense pressure on housing, with fire victims searching for homes in an already competitive market. “The scrambling was real, and it’s [still] going on. … They were calling it ‘The Hunger Games,’” she recalled. “There was one place that had 71 applications on one house.”
New rental regulations — meant to prevent price gouging — have introduced additional challenges, sometimes forcing rental prices below fair market value. “Some Westside rentals were capped at $9,500 per month — that’s less than what some homeowners pay in property taxes alone,” Wilder said.
In the wake of disaster, homebuyers are rethinking their priorities. Wilder sees a growing demand for areas like Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Mar Vista — neighborhoods that offer stability and community. Even if they have to seek out new neighborhoods, Wilder said “people want to stay close to what they know,” highlighting the resilience of Angelenos who refuse to be uprooted entirely and move out of state.
A new era: Rebuilding with patience and perspective
One thing is certain: Fire safety is now a non-negotiable for buyers. Wilder is hopeful about innovative building materials, citing an example of a family in Santa Clara that lost a home previously and rebuilt with fire-resistant foam and concrete blocks. “We need to see these materials become more widely available,” she said. She also advocated for practical citywide changes, like moving power lines underground.
With emotions still raw, Wilder cautions her clients against hasty decisions. She leans on insights from therapists, advising fire victims to hold off on major choices for at least three months.
Her philosophy of “pause when agitated” has guided her response — listening, connecting, and providing resources instead of rushing to solutions. “Nobody should feel pressured to buy or sell right now,” she said. Instead, she encourages anyone who has the luxury to do so to engage in thoughtful planning, emotional healing, and exploring all available options.
Looking ahead: Strength in community
Despite the challenges, Wilder remains optimistic. “Los Angeles matters — not just to us, but to the world,” she said, pointing to global events like next year’s World Cup and the 2028 Olympics as reminders of the city’s enduring significance.
Her focus is on collaboration over competition and connection over chaos. For Wilder, real estate is about people first, and homes second. Her Instagram has become a critical hub for fire victims, offering everything from leads on temporary housing to rebuilding resources. “Sharing is caring,” she said.
Luxury Presence stands with Los Angeles
At Luxury Presence, we believe in the power of community. That’s why we were proud to donate $10,000 to the LA Tech Community Cares Fund, supporting those affected by the wildfires. Together, we will rebuild, recover, and move forward — stronger than before.
