04/29/2026
Seismic risk is often treated like a California issue.
It shouldn’t be.
Most agency lenders, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Small Balance Loan programs, may require a Seismic Risk Assessment when financing properties in areas with elevated seismic hazard. For borrowers and investors, that requirement can become a late-stage deal issue if it is not identified early.
The challenge is that seismic exposure is not always obvious. Some properties fall into high-risk areas based on location, structural characteristics, or lending requirements. Others may sit in moderate-risk states where seismic events are less frequent, but still meaningful enough to affect underwriting and due diligence.
That is why we created a free Seismic Risk Assessment Calculator!
Our tool helps CRE professionals quickly screen whether an SRA may be required before they are deep into the transaction process.
Why does this matter? Because seismic risk is not just an engineering question. It is a financing, timing, and transaction risk question.
For borrowers, lenders, and investors, identifying that requirement early can help reduce surprises, avoid delays, and keep due diligence moving with more confidence.
Curious whether your property could trigger an SRA requirement? Run it through AEI’s free calculator and find out in minutes:
https://na2.hubs.ly/H055Cr20
Not sure if your property needs a Seismic Risk Assessment? Use AEI's SRA calculator built for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and SBL borrowers.
