All posts by Ben Roden - Product Marketing Manager

Bigfoot. Sasquatch. Ol’ Filthy Albert. No matter what you call him, you know who we’re talking about: the hairy giant cryptid who haunts our collective imagination and, according to about 13% of the US population, wanders the American wilderness. The traditional perception of Sasquatch is that of a solitary creature whose run-ins with people are the unavoidable consequence of human development and exploration. If recent sightings are any indication, it seems the legendary creature may have more on their mind than just staying hidden.

If you’re reading this, you already know that real estate risk management is a fickle mistress. One second, you think you’ve figured out the perfect equation to ensure that the property you’re investing in is going to be a sound investment; the next, you’re crunching the numbers, finding new information, and questioning every financial decision you’ve ever made and wondering if you should actually start a career as a dog food taster. Put the spoon of dog food down. You’re doing just fine. Assessing real estate risk before purchasing a condo, apartment complex, brick and mortar location for your next retail adventure, or even when looking to insure said properties, is tricky.

According to a study by AIThority, the mortgage industry hasn't quiiiiiite caught the vision of property data analytics. More than a third of lenders (37%) are what we might call property data dabblers—they've got access to the basics but not much more. Another 36% of mortgage businesses have enough game to conduct descriptive, post-mortem analyses. Still, a mere 3% of companies are found worthy of wielding a property data API for effective prescriptive analytics. For mortgage, repair, and utility companies willing to put in the work, a proper analytics program fueled by address data APIs is a game-changer.

Well, whaddya know, it’s that time again: National Smarties® Day! You’re probably thinking, “I honestly can’t believe Smarty®, my favorite address verification company, has its own day celebrated on a national scale. ” And if you’re thinking that, let me congratulate you on your finely tuned instincts—the existence of such a day strains belief. We’re talking about Smarties, the candy, people. You know, those tart, powdery discs that resoundingly answer the question, “What if chalk, but delicious?” Care to learn more about National Smarties Day? You’re in luck—there's plenty to unwrap.

In the world of address validation, not all providers stick to the script. Some go rogue. And while that might work for improv geniuses like Robin Williams or even our own Brady Amundson, when your verification tools start improvising results, creating fictional addresses, and hoping you don’t notice… well, it's like watching a movie adaptation of your favorite book and thinking, “Wait… they burned down the Burrow?!?” (Harry Potter fans, I’m still mad. )If your address verification tool is delivering results that feel more like fan fiction than factual data, and geolocating “validated” addresses in the middle of lakes, it might be time to reconsider the cast.