Closing delays are more than a scheduling issue. They’re a margin issue. The National Association of Realtors reports 14% of new home closings are delayed, and each delay can cost builders in construction loan interest, builder’s risk insurance, and frozen capital. In this latest Zonda Industry Perspective, Mark Tribendis, VP of Business Development at Westwood…
There’s a Halloween candy that wins nationally, although plenty of states have other ideas. According to recent ordering data tracked across the country, some treats dominate everywhere while others are fiercely regional, and a few states don’t follow any pattern at all. Here’s how it breaks down: 1. The Northeast Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups lead…
When the shaking starts, it’s rarely the structure of a house that causes the most immediate harm. It’s what’s inside it. The everyday items sitting in most living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens are consistently the first things to move, fall, or break, and often the first things to cause injury before a home’s structural damage…
Owning a car keeps getting more expensive, not just at the dealership, but on your insurance bill too. According to USA Today, the average annual cost of full-coverage car insurance in the U.S. reached $2,237 in the first half of 2026. Rates rose in 27 states over that stretch, and seven states, plus Washington, D.C.,…
National insurance trends don’t always tell the full story. In this article, Christi Burkhardt, VP of National Sales and Growth at Westwood Insurance Agency, explores how insurance conditions vary significantly by state and region, and why builders need market-specific insights when guiding buyers. Learn how understanding local insurance dynamics can help sales teams address buyer…
With the first day of fall landing this month, it’s peak season for finally tackling that backyard project list. One is done before lunch. One is a legitimate half-day undertaking. And one is a legitimate weekend commitment. Here’s how three popular projects rank, from quickest to most involved. 1. The Quick One: String the Patio…
