Blog

Despite National Growth, New Construction Activity Is Sluggish in Major Metros

The January BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed healthy growth across new and existing housing activity. Single-family housing authorizations increased 6.03% year over year but decreased 0.41% month over month, remaining relatively flat. Existing housing activity, which encompasses maintenance and remodeling, which is a subset of maintenance that includes renovations, additions, and alterations, experienced moderate... Read More

People in the U.S. Are Moving Less but May Be Remodeling More

The December BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed another increase in year-over-year single-family housing authorizations, which grew 4.82% this month after climbing 7.09% in November. However, month over month, single-family housing authorizations declined 2.61%. After declining for a majority of 2019, the rolling three-month outlook rounded out the year on a positive note, increasing 5.77%.... Read More

The Probability of a Recession Declined in November as Housing Indicators Increase

The November BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed a substantial increase in year-over-year single-family housing authorizations at 7.09% after the indicator declined for much of 2019. Additionally, after reaching a peak in September, the probability of a recession is now declining again. Maintenance and remodeling activity also increased this month. This could have been propelled... Read More

Holly Tachovsky Wins Bronze Stevie Female Executive of the Year

Our very own Holly Tachovsky has been named a 2019 Stevie Female Executive of the Year. The award recognizes women entrepreneurs globally who are blazing new trails and leaving a mark on their organization. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Stevie Awards, which elevates business leaders across the globe who are dedicated to their... Read More

Single-Family Housing Authorizations Rise for the First Time in Over a Year

The October BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed increases across both new and existing housing activity. Notably, year-over-year single-family housing authorizations increased in October. Although it was a slight uptick, this was the first time since September 2018 that single-family housing authorizations rose year over year. Maintenance and remodeling activity continued its ascent this month... Read More

Amidst Economic Uncertainty, Housing Activity Rises Notably in September

The September BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed a notable increase in new and existing housing construction after almost a full year of slowing housing activity. This month, single-family housing authorizations rose month over month to recent highs. Meanwhile, maintenance volumes made significant ground, in comparison to the more gradual increases this category experienced in... Read More

Verisk has Completed the Acquisition of BuildFax

Verisk, a leading data analytics provider, announced that is has acquired BuildFax from its shareholders. As BuildFax looks help customers navigate the changing property landscape, we are proud to be joining Verisk, a leading data analytics provider, as part of their ISO division. We anticipate building stronger, more impactful services to help businesses minimize risk... Read More

Property Risk in North Carolina Rises Following Successive Severe Weather Events

September marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Florence. Hurricanes and other natural disasters, especially over the past few years, have had a substantial impact on the health of the U.S. housing stock. Natural disasters can tighten the labor construction and materials markets, impact the underlying risk of residential and commercial structures and drive heightened maintenance... Read More

Innovation Is Strengthening the Property/Casualty Insurance Value Chain

As property/casualty insurers invest more and more in company-wide innovation, they will ultimately glean greater insight into not only best practices, but also lessons learned that truly move the needle. This was a central discussion topic at InsureTech Connect 2019, which attracts the largest gathering of insurance leaders to discuss change and growth in the... Read More

U.S. Property Risk Improves as Housing Market Continues to Slump

The August BuildFax Housing Health Report (BHHR) revealed a gradual improvement in property maintenance across the U.S. housing stock. After six months of declining activity, maintenance activity and spend have now risen for two consecutive months. Maintenance is not only a strong indicator of consumer confidence, but it also provides insight into the health of the residential... Read More