In this episode, Ryan welcomes Kalen Ludwig, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Diligent Development, to discuss her path in the real estate world. Kalen opens up about her early influences, tracing her interest in real estate back to her grandparents’ house-flipping ventures and property management. Her academic journey at the University of Northern Iowa, where she majored in business marketing and minored in real estate, further fueled her passion.
Kalen talks about her career trajectory, highlighting her long-standing association with People’s Company and her diverse roles in home building and land development. She dives into her involvement with Diligent Development, where she manages residential lot marketing and collaborates on various multifamily land projects. Kalen also discusses her partnership in Groundbreaker Homes, emphasizing her multifaceted role in the industry.
A significant focus of the conversation is on the innovative Middlebrook Agrihood project in Cumming, Iowa. Kalen provides a detailed overview of this 900-acre master-planned community, which uniquely integrates residential living with agricultural elements, green spaces, and a focus on community. The discussion covers the planning and execution, highlighting its distinctive features like communal gardens and walkability.
Ryan and Kalen also touch upon the importance of online presence and branding in the real estate industry. Kalen shares her strategies and experiences in utilizing social media and other digital platforms to enhance brand visibility. The episode concludes with insights into the future of real estate development and community building, as exemplified by the Middlebrook project.
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.