Seismic Retrofitting a property in San Francisco or Los Angeles

[David L.]

Hi, I'm researching some different properties in San Francisco and Los Angeles. A lot of properties tend to be older (pre-1950s) especially in the Bay Area. It seems common for these older properties to need some seismic retrofitting to increase the safety in the case of a major earthquake.  Does anyone know if making the recommended seismic improvements will make these older buildings as safe as newer constructions or will older buildings always be less structurally sound?