In Episode 112 of The Land Development Podcast, Ryan Glick and Charles Covey return with an industry news update. The episode kicks off with the growing impacts of the U.S. government shutdown on housing, from delayed flood insurance policies and halted rural housing loans to slowdowns in permitting and financing. Charles shares his thoughts on how political theater often gets in the way of real progress and why these delays hurt everyday developers and buyers.
Next, Ryan and Charles dive into a new trend: Millennials pulling out of the housing market while Gen Z steps in. They discuss affordability struggles, rising construction costs, and the lasting effects of red tape on housing prices. Charles shares insight on how up to 30% of home costs stem from government delays and approvals. Together, they explore whether America is trending toward a future where homeownership is no longer the norm, like in London or Paris, and what that means for developers.
The conversation also touches on the broader economy, with concerns over AI investments and a widening gap between the wealthy and the middle class. Ryan and Charles reflect on the fading strength of the middle class and why rising prices in everyday services make it feel like the economy isn’t as strong as reported.
Finally, the hosts cover a major lawsuit involving Zillow and Redfin. Five states have sued the companies over an agreement that could limit competition in rental listings. Ryan and Charles weigh the implications for property managers and question whether renters are really benefiting from these kinds of deals.
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.