In this episode of The Land Development Podcast Week in Review, host Ryan Glick breaks down the biggest headlines shaping land development as of May 9, 2025. Leading the news is the Federal Reserve’s choice to hold interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, amid concerns about inflation and stagnant job growth. This decision has left many developers and builders wondering when relief might arrive, especially as construction costs remain high and financing challenges persist.
Ryan also covers the major shift in international relations as the U.S. and China head back to the negotiating table for the first high-level trade talks in months. With both countries imposing steep tariffs on essential goods, this meeting could have a big impact on supply chains and material costs in the construction industry. Early market reactions hint at cautious optimism, especially in Asia.
On the housing front, there’s some movement in mortgage rates, which ticked down to an average of 6.84%. While this has stirred a small rise in homebuying and refinancing interest, experts say affordability remains strained. Meanwhile, developers in Texas are moving forward with large-scale projects, including a 5,000-home community south of Dallas and several others near Houston, aiming to meet strong demand.
Finally, Ryan highlights the ongoing trend of zoning reform across the country. More than 2,000 jurisdictions have now adopted form-based codes, shifting away from single-use zoning to promote mixed-use and higher-density housing. These changes are shaping the future of how neighborhoods grow and respond to housing needs.
We did not have a guest for this episode
Ryan sits down with Peter Murphy Lewis to talk about how storytelling can help developers and builders attract better talent and build stronger teams. They break down simple, practical ways to use video and real stories to stand out in today’s labor market.
Keith Miller joins the show to talk about his focus on building attainably priced homes at scale in Montana, why he’s using factory-built housing, and what it really takes to bring new supply to fast-growing markets.
Ryan and Charles break down falling homebuyer demand, a heated TikTok debate on millennial housing choices, a proposed property tax hike in New York City, and what a shrinking U.S. population could mean for developers.