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 minimum
The biggest mistakes homebuyers make when evaluating a property
How disasters reveal hidden weaknesses in our homes
Why rebuilding after a disaster can take years—not months
The surprising connection between resilience and sustainability
What questions you must ask before buying or building a home
How insurance, building practices, and human behavior all play a role

George 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 home

Bottom 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.