In this industry news episode, Ryan Glick and Charles Covey start with the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut and what it really means for developers, builders, and homebuyers. While the cut offers some financial relief, Charles emphasizes that it’s far from a full solution to housing challenges. Lending practices, land costs, and equity flow remain major roadblocks.
Next, they unpack comments from Beazer Homes CEO Alan Merrill, who says shrinking home sizes isn’t the answer to affordability. Instead, Beazer focuses on building homes that are more cost-efficient to own through energy savings, lower insurance, and competitive mortgage options. Charles shares his perspective and breaks down why this model works for some but doesn’t solve affordability for everyone.
The conversation then shifts to a LinkedIn post highlighting manufactured housing as a scalable and affordable solution. Charles explains how his own view on manufactured communities evolved, and why these developments are now a core part of his toolbox. With lower development costs and strong demand, manufactured housing is a growing force in the industry.
To wrap up, Ryan and Charles look at new data comparing build-to-rent (BTR) units to apartment stock across U.S. metros. They analyze how Phoenix leads the way and why BTR is still in its early stages in many markets. Charles explains why submarket saturation can be risky and why more infill BTR projects may be the future.
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.