Beyond the Buildings

Closing the gaps in wildfire risk

Beyond the Buildings

Show Notes

On this episode of Beyond the Buildings, host Maiclaire Bolton Smith sits down with Cotality's Chief Scientist, Howard Botts, to explore Cotality's 2026 wildfire risk report.

In this episode:

1:42 – Why are suburban homes miles from a forest still at severe risk?

4:52 – How much can home hardening actually reduce risk scores?

8:15 – How does El Niño affect wildfire seasons differently in California versus the Pacific Northwest?

10:41 – Why are so many homeowners in wildfire risk areas finding themselves underinsured?

13:28 – Allie Barefoot breaks down the latest numbers in the housing market.

14:14 – What will a truly resilient housing market look like in five to 10 years?

Links: https://www.cotality.com/resources/reports/cotality-wildfire-risk-report-2026

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