Maybe not everyone geeks out over Simpson Strong-Tie, but when you explain how it means fewer headaches (and insurance claims) down the line, it starts to click.
Had a similar experience last year. I retrofitted a 60s duplex—full cripple wall bracing, new hold-downs, the works. At first, buyers barely glanced at the crawlspace photos in my listing packet. But once I pointed out how those upgrades could literally save them tens of thousands in repairs after a quake, their attitude shifted. Still, you’re right—nobody’s ever asked to see the anchor bolts before they ask about the kitchen appliances... priorities, I guess.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think it’s just about priorities being out of whack. The average person just doesn’t *see* the value of what’s behind the walls, you know? You can show them all the Simpson Strong-Tie catalogs in the world, but until there’s a quake—or they hear about someone else’s house falling off its foundation—it’s all invisible stuff.
I’ve had people walk through a place and gush over quartz countertops while literally standing on a floor that was completely rebuilt for seismic safety... and they don’t even realize it. Maybe part of the problem is that “earthquake-proofing” isn’t flashy. It’s not like a new fridge or fancy backsplash you can show off to your friends.
Still, I’d argue that if we found a way to make structural upgrades more “visible” or even just more relatable (like, compare it to seatbelts in cars?), people might start caring earlier—before disaster strikes. Just my two cents.
You nailed it—people just don’t get excited about what they can’t see. I’ve had buyers ask if the “earthquake stuff” is really necessary, even after I show them photos of the old cripple walls and how we reinforced everything. It’s wild how a shiny faucet gets more attention than a bolted sill plate. I do think your seatbelt analogy is spot on, though. Maybe if more folks understood that these upgrades are like insurance you hope you never need, they’d appreciate it more. It’s not glamorous, but it’s the kind of thing that actually saves lives... or at least saves you from a massive headache down the line.
I totally get where you’re coming from. When I started my retrofit, I was way more focused on the visible stuff, like new floors and paint. But then I started reading about soft-story collapses and how much damage can happen if the foundation isn’t reinforced. It’s just wild how much of that work gets hidden behind drywall, so no one really notices or cares. I wonder if there’s a better way to show the value—like, do you think having before-and-after diagrams would help, or maybe even a walk-through video explaining what’s changed? I’m still not sure how to get people to care about a bolted sill plate, but man, I’d rather have that than a fancy faucet any day.