Happy July, and welcome to this month's edition of Marketplace Matters! This is a monumental year of milestones for all of us.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the BBB is incredibly proud to mark our 107th year of community service. We thank our Accredited Businesses for your steadfast partnership, and deeply appreciate our consumers for trusting us as your go-to source for marketplace trust and guidance.

As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to improving and serving you even better in the years to come.

Thank you for being the foundation of a trustworthy marketplace!

If you received a nomination this year, please remember to complete and submit your application by July 30th to be eligible to win.

As always, we appreciate your continued support and dedication to marketplace ethics. We are constantly working on new ways to provide value, education, and support to everyone in our community.

As you dive into the rest of this edition, we hope you find something valuable—whether it is an eye-opening scam prevention tip or a helpful insight from our Accredited Business articles. Enjoy the read, and have a wonderful rest of your July!

— Lane Montz
President & CEO

3 Common Roofing Mistakes Homeowners Should Avoid

By Integrity Home Exteriors — Expert Contributor

Many roofing failures don’t begin with severe storms or sudden disasters. Instead, they start with small, preventable issues—such as overlooked flashing, aging materials, or skipped inspections—that quietly worsen over time. By the time a leak becomes visible inside the home, damage has often already spread behind walls or ceilings. Understanding the most common roofing mistakes can help homeowners protect their homes and avoid costly repairs.

1. Skipping Regular Roof Inspections
A common assumption among homeowners is that a roof is in good condition as long as there are no visible leaks. In reality, many roofing problems develop out of sight. Loose shingles, deteriorating flashing, clogged gutters, or small punctures may go unnoticed for years.
Routine roof inspections, especially after heavy storms or seasonal changes, allow these minor issues to be identified early—before they lead to water entering the home. Catching problems at this stage can prevent damage to insulation, drywall, and framing, significantly reducing repair costs.

2. Choosing Low-Quality Roofing Materials
Lower-cost roofing materials may seem appealing upfront, but they often wear out faster and are more vulnerable to wind, algae, and temperature changes. Over time, this can result in frequent repairs or an earlier-than-expected roof replacement.

Higher-quality materials are designed to last longer and perform more consistently in changing weather conditions. While the initial cost may be higher, durable materials often reduce long-term maintenance needs and help homeowners avoid repeat repairs.

3. Neglecting Flashing
Flashing is the metal material installed around chimneys, skylights, vents, and roof-to-wall intersections. These areas are especially vulnerable to leaks. Roofing professionals frequently find that damaged or improperly installed flashing is a leading cause of residential roof leaks.
Because flashing issues aren’t always obvious from the ground, they are often overlooked. Regular inspections and timely repairs help ensure these areas remain sealed, preventing moisture from entering the home and causing hidden damage.

Final Thought
Roofs rarely fail all at once—they fail gradually. Paying attention to inspections, material quality, and vulnerable areas like flashing can help homeowners avoid the most common and expensive roofing problems while extending the life of their roof.

BBB Scam Alert: be cautious of fake rental listings during a military move

This month is Military Consumer Month, and the FTC released recently tips about how to spot fake rental listings.

If you've been planning a move, you know they can be both exciting and stressful. Being a victim of a rental scam will only add to your stress, so here's a list of how to avoid and spot them.

1. Watch out for fake listings: always research addresses of the listings you find. Scammers try to grab attention with low rent prices for fake listings. They will most likely make excuses as to why you can't view the property or see it in person beforehand.
2. Be cautious of payment methods: avoid "landlords" who say you are only able to pay with cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. If you pay with these methods, the scammer will try to disappear with your money.
3. Don't rush: slow down and be sure to vet listings before you jump into signing or paying for an apartment. Scammers rely on urgency so you pay first, and think later.

Remember, if you see a scam, you can report it at bbb.org!

Moo's Tip: use BBB Scam Tracker to help you avoid scams

When you go to bbb.org/scamtracker, there are a few resources to look at:

1. Report a Scam: if you've been a victim of a scam or believe someone is attempting to scam you, you can fill out the report a scam form and help protect your community by reporting fraudulent activity.
2. Scam Database: click on the 'Is this a scam?' button to search our database and see if someone has reported a similar scam to what you are looking for.
3. BBB Heatmap: this map provides a live look at scam activity reported to BBB across the United States and Canada. You can also view the amounts of reports, losses, and average loss per report.
4. General Research: view reports, scam studies, and scam tips.