Beyond the Buildings

Insurance is a topic of perennial interest, but it is not often discussed for furthering cutting-edge technologies like generative AI and machine learning. However, Insurtech, with its ability to redefine business models and leverage cutting-edge technologies, has left an indelible mark on the insurance industry landscape.Whether it’s a homeowner navigating insurance policies or an industry professional charting the course for future business growth, Insurtech’s broad reach has enabled companies to take on new types of risks to reshape risk management strategies in the face of evolving climate risk and changing regulations. In this episode of Core Conversations, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with InsTech CEO Matthew Grant. The two unpack just how far the industry has come and how far things still need to go as bleeding-edge technologies come to the forefront of the international conversation and stand to bridge the gap between this traditional industry and the evolution of consumer expectations.In This Episode:3:13 – How insurance won out over technological innovations, leaving homeowners to purchase policies in a traditional manner.4:22 – So why did technology revolutionize the way insurers underwrite policies?7:22 – As data leads to increased visibility for risk, how does that affect insurers ability to offer coverage?8:40 – How tech tools put the power in the hands of a policyholder to speed up the claims process.10:17 – Where does AI have the most potential to expedite the claims process?12:52 – Erika Stanley goes over the numbers in the housing market with The Sip.13:55 – Will generative AI and algorithmic underwriting define the future of insurance decisions?16:05 – Why has reinsurance been so quick to adopt new technology?18:43 – Erika Stanley talks about what is happening in the world of natural disasters.20:21 – Is the Insurtech revolution over, or is it only beginning?Links:RAA Conference: Cat Risk Management 2024InsTech PodcastHazard HQ Command CentralRead CoreLogic IntelligenceUp Next: How Will Property Data Help Manage the California Insurance Crisis?Find full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3HFslXD4 Copyright 2025 Cotality

As the claims and restoration business adapt to pressures of surging inflation, persistent labor shortages and the escalating frequency of natural disasters, automation has emerged as an investment avenue to help streamline processes and enhance efficiency.However, not all technology solutions are created equal. In an industry when data fidelity is crucial for those in the field and automation is increasingly a stopgap amid ongoing staffing challenges, the insurance claims industry is increasingly seeking solutions that address these hurdles, while adhering to complex requirements from industry standards.Discover the evolving landscape of insurance claims, the challenges it faces and the innovative solutions technology provides. Stay tuned for insights into the future, where CoreLogic Senior Principal of Industry Relations Brandon Burton unveils Mitigate, CoreLogic’s groundbreaking field documentation tool set to revolutionize data fidelity and reduce the time burden on technicians.Find out more about CoreLogic's Mitigate productIn This Episode:1:57 – How has technology altered the claims side of the insurance industry?4:08 – Why hasn’t technology already solved existing challenges within the industry?5:43 – What are some recent changes to industry standards and how have they specifically impacted the industry?8:15 – How dramatically are labor shortages affecting the claims and restoration industries?10:19 – Erika Stanley goes over the numbers in the housing market in The Sip.11:56 – How can automation help alleviate the strain imposed by labor shortages?13:03 – The American National Standards Institute maintains a list of industry standards; which standards are upcoming and which are up for revision?14:53 – Erika Stanley talks about what is happening in the world of natural disasters.16:36 – What is on the horizon for claims professionals?18:49 – What is Mitigate, and why is it going to facilitate industry advancement?Links:Brandon Burton's Podcast: Technically SpeakingHazard HQ Command CentralRead CoreLogic IntelligenceUp Next: How Will Property Data Help Manage the California Insurance Crisis?Find full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt4 Copyright 2025 Cotality

In the first episode of Season 4 of Core Conversations, Host Maiclaire Bolton Smith and CoreLogic Chief Economist Selma Hepp dive into the aftermath of the pandemic's influence on migration patterns and how remote work has reshaped the housing landscape.While the pandemic may no longer dominate headlines, it continues to exert its influence. Remote work opportunities flourished, prompting an exodus from high-cost coastal metros to more affordable regions. This migration then spurred home price inflation across the country, while also altering income distribution, patterns of gentrification and urban sprawl.The consequences for major cities are profound. Already, large metros have been presented with challenges in retaining high-wage workers, navigating shrinking tax bases and facing declining home prices. Conversely, smaller towns have experienced upticks in wages and local spending.This episode explores the ripple effects of these changes, discussing how cities like San Francisco and New York are adapting and how smaller, more affordable metros are seizing opportunities. Similarly, going forward, it will be critical to ponder the long-term consequences of remote work on cities' functions and how they can reinvent themselves.LinkedIn Remote Work StudyFannie Mae study: Remote Work and Housing Location PreferencesSelma Hepp's Op-Ed on pandemic migrationRead CoreLogic IntelligenceCopyright 2025 Cotality In This Episode:2:29 – What is "pandemic migration" and how did remote work enable this trend?4:05 – Will there be any long-term consequences for cities and towns from remote work migration?7:06 – What are the economic and housing market implications of migration to more affordable areas?10:28 – Erika Stanley goes over the numbers in the housing market in The Sip.12:13 – What is the future for America's high-price cities and tech hubs?16:11 – How will migration influence the future of small towns?17:33 – Erika Stanley reviews natural catastrophes and extreme weather events across the world.18:40 – How have U.S. home prices fared in the face of this continued migration? 22:44 – How have high interest rates affected migration trends and home prices?Links:Read CoreLogic IntelligenceRegister for INTRCONNECT...

What is the future of the U.S. economy? Host Maiclaire Bolton Smith and CoreLogic Chief Economist Selma Hepp dive into this perennial question in the final episode of Core Conversations: Season 3.From incremental home sales increases to gradually declining mortgage rates, there is a lot that we can expect to happen in 2024. However, geopolitical risks, such as oil prices and inflation, have the potential to impact the trajectory of mortgage rates and change the development of the overall housing market.Tune into this final episode of the season to gain insights into the uncertain future of the housing market, as well as what current trends and property data indicate is likely to develop as we pass into the new year.In This Episode:0:40 – A summary of what happened in the 2023 housing market.1:23 – What does Selma expect to be the 2024 economic outlook?5:40 – Erika Stanley reviews the natural disasters reported on by CoreLogic's Hazard HQ Command Central7:33 – INTRCONNECT 2024 is coming to AustinLinks:Read CoreLogic IntelligenceRegister for INTRCONNECT 2024Hazard HQ Command CentralWhite Paper: Why Extreme Heat-Related Property Risk Is the Next Significant Business HurdleUp Next: 2023 Economic Look Back: A Tale of Two Housing MarketsFind full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt 

In the season finale of Core Conversations, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith and CoreLogic Chief Economist Selma Hepp dive into a discussion about the dynamic landscape of the U.S. housing market in 2023.This year, mortgage rates surged by almost 500 basis points, home prices catapulted by 42% over three years and mortgage payments witnessed a staggering 60% hike. This episode peels back the layers of the housing market, exploring the sometimes-contrasting contexts of the real estate sector with the larger economy.One of the major topics that this discussion covers is why some homeowners can navigate these economic shifts while others grapple with pressing affordability challenges. Although housing affordability is a crucial point for both homeowners and renters, according to Pete Carroll, executive of public policy for CoreLogic, the affordable housing crisis is a bit of a misnomer. At its core, the crisis is due to a lack of housing inventory with respect to demand. So, how is it that the U.S. has arrived at a point where inventory is low, prices and interest rates are climbing, and rentals seem out of reach in some markets?As 2023 comes to an end, join the conversation to reflect on what happened, where we are now, and what we can expect in the future of the U.S. housing economy.In This Episode:1:58 – What have the general trends been in the U.S. economy in 2023?4:09 – Why was there a disconnect in how the housing market and the overall economy fared?6:05 – How much of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) does housing represent? Did inflation dramatically effect this percentage?7:47 – Discussing the housing market slowdown of 202310:35 – Erika Stanley reviews the number in the housing market in The Sip.12:08 – How did the U.S. rental market do in 2023?15:26 – What is the future for adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) with the current rates of inflation?18:05 – How did the lock-in effect affect the overall housing market?Links:Read CoreLogic IntelligenceRegister for INTRCONNECT 2024Up Next: Occupancy Fraud May Be the Next Risk for the Mortgage IndustryFind full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt

Ever wondered why the U.S. mortgage market offers 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages and what impact this unique loan offering has on housing prices? This is a question that host Maiclaire Bolton Smith and CoreLogic Professional Economist Thom Malone dive into during part two of this episode on the differences between the U.S. and international housing markets.From the surprising benefits of the U.S. system for homeowners to the potential hazards in concentrating mortgage risk, this conversation explores the effects of inflation on housing prices, drawing connections to global trends. Stay tuned until the end for insights into if and where property markets will experience shifts in the upcoming months. To continue the conversation and connect the dots between interest rates, inflation and housing prices, make sure to tune into Episode 60 as well.In This Episode1:04 – What are the advantages/disadvantages of the U.S.’s 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage system?2:56 – How do interest rate increases affect housing prices in other countries?5:46 – Are there specific U.S. markets where we’re seeing the potential for people to default on their mortgages?8:20 – How does the national cycle of housing price change express itself? (Hint: like a waterfall)10:50 – Are international markets seeing similar home price trends to the U.S.?12:11 – Erika Stanley reviews natural catastrophes and extreme weather events across the globe.13:51 – What can we expect to see from home prices in the next few months?Links:Read CoreLogic IntelligenceRegister for INTRCONNECT 2024Hazard HQ Command CentralTM natural disaster coverageMore First-Time Homebuyers Reside in Midwestern and High-Tech Coastal MetrosThom Malone author pageUp Next: Why US Property Retains Its Value Compared to Other Global MarketsFind full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt

Property is the world’s largest asset class, so any fluctuation within this market has far-reaching effects. Just consider how property values in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S. have sent ripples throughout the global economy.There are many factors that affect the housing market, and one is the amount of investment activity. Investors contributed to the dramatic home price growth seen in recent years. The surge in investor activity significantly impacted home prices, but the precise extent of this influence remains a subject of ongoing debate among economists.Another factor affecting the property market is interest rates. When these rates plummeted several years ago, housing prices surged across the world. Then rates began to climb, and the substantial home price gains seen in the aforementioned countries began to correct. But home prices in the U.S. have remained above their 2020 peak, defying expectations.That leaves the question: Why is the U.S. an outlier in the property market?In this episode, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with CoreLogic Professional Economist Thom Malone to discuss the effect that the U.S. securitized mortgage system and investor activity has had on both the national and global property markets.In This Episode:2:04 – What has happened to housing prices since the pandemic and what makes 2023 such a pivotal year?5:47 – Who are the investors that are participating in the market? Who are the mega investors and what role do they play?8:33 – How has investor activity impacted home prices?10:54 – Erika Stanley goes over the numbers in the housing market in The Sip.12:05 – What is happening in the world of international housing prices?14:16 – What are the advantages and disadvantages of the U.S.’s securitized mortgage system?19:53 – Maiclaire Bolton Smith and Thom Malone talk about their experiences speaking with friends from their home countries about buying a house in the U.S.Links: Read CoreLogic IntelligenceRegister for INTRCONNECT 2024Up Next: What Is the Future of Mortgage Interest Rates in the Current Real Estate Market?Find full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt

Instances of mortgage fraud have remained relatively stable in recent years. In the second quarter of 2023, CoreLogic estimates that 1 in 134 applications contained fraud, up from 1 in 131 during the same period in 2022. But that doesn’t mean that lenders shouldn’t be on the lookout for warning signs.In the 2023 Mortgage Fraud Report, researchers found that suspected occupancy loans have nearly tripled since 2020. This type of fraud, which is difficult to spot during origination, typically occurs when someone identifies an investment property as a primary residence to obtain more favorable rates. Not only is this subcategory of fraud requiring more attention, but a changing economy and the increase in automation is bringing unique challenges to the industry.In this episode, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with Bridget Berg, a senior leader in loan solutions at CoreLogic, to talk about who ends up paying when someone defaults on a loan and how automation may open the door for increased fraud. In This Episode:0:53 – Who ends up paying when someone default on a loan that has fraud and what happens to lenders that have to buy back loans?4:10 – Does the normalization of automated underwriting have the potential to lead to more mortgage fraud?6:30 – Are cash-based borrowers without traditional credit histories turning mortgage fraud more of a concern?9:07 – Erika Stanley gives an overview of natural disaster headlines from CoreLogic's Hazard HQ Command Central.10:58 – What does the future of fraud risk look like.Links:Why Extreme Heat-Related Property Risk Is the Next Significant Business HurdleHazard HQ Command Central Natural Disaster Coverage2023 Mortgage Fraud ReportOctober 2023 U.S. Home Price Insights ReportUp Next: HELOC Loans May Be the Next Threat for Mortgage FraudFind full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt

Elevated interest rates have had ripple effects across the U.S. property market. From the appearance of the lock-in effect, which has slowed down home purchases, to increasing questions of affordability, the climbing cost of taking out a mortgage has spurred many to consider how to lower the price tag.One trend that CoreLogic® has spotted in the property market is an increase in suspected occupancy fraud. In the 2023 Mortgage Fraud Report, researchers found that suspected occupancy loans have nearly tripled since 2020. This type of fraud, which is difficult to spot during origination, typically occurs when someone identifies an investment property as a primary residence to obtain more favorable rates.Despite this uptick in the subcategory, the overall instance of mortgage fraud has remained relatively flat. In the second quarter of 2023, CoreLogic estimates that 1 in 134 applications contained fraud, up from 1 in 131 during the same period in 2022.But occupancy fraud is not the only tactic on the table. In this episode, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with Bridget Berg, a senior leader in loan solutions at CoreLogic, to talk about the types of mortgage fraud, where it is most prevalent in the industry and why it can be so difficult to detect.In This Episode:2:19 – An overview of the prevalence of fraud through the years.3:56 – Host Maiclaire describes what it’s like to go through a routine audit following a mortgage, and guest Bridget Berg explains the different ways people can defraud lenders.5:56 – Is there more fraud happening now than in previous years? How did the pandemic change the trend?8:29 – Why should occupancy fraud should be top of mind for lenders?9:47 – Is mortgage fraud difficult to detect, and are there triggers and are there ways that lenders can identify risks?11:16 – Erika Stanley goes over the numbers in the property market in The Sip.12:33 – A discussion about the fraud risk associated with occupancy declarations and HELOC loans.Links:2023 Mortgage Fraud ReportOctober 2023 U.S. Home Price Insights ReportUp Next: HELOC Loans May Be the Next Threat for Mortgage FraudFind full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt

Wildfires are an annual occurrence in many areas of the U.S. However, as our climate changes, fires are beginning to ignite in areas that are traditionally at low risk. Just look at the Hawaiian island of Maui.Despite the increasing number of regions experiencing wildfires, only about 9% of U.S. properties meet the threshold for high or extreme wildfire risk. So how exactly is this risk measured and what role can mitigation play in reducing this natural danger?In this episode host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with CoreLogic Chief Actuary Howard Kunst to talk about this subject. The two will discuss the wildfire season with a focus on California — one of the most high-profile, wildfire-burdened states in the country — and how the historic rainfall from earlier this year will influence upcoming wildfire risk.In This Episode:1:25 – California had one of the wettest winters on record last year. How has that changed wildfire risk in the state? Hint: It didn’t necessarily improve things.4:08 – Why is awareness of wildfires important for mitigation and how do we create awareness in low-risk areas?6:07 – Is climate change really making wildfires worse?7:30 – Erika Stanley talks about extreme weather events in the Natural Disaster Digest.Links:U.S. Home Price Insights ReportWildfire Risk ReportHow Will Property Data Help Manage the California Insurance Crisis?Up Next: Does Low Wildfire Risk Create a False Sense of Security?Find full episodes with all our guests in our podcast archive here: https://clgx.co/3zqhBZt