How Land Is Valued, Why Prices Stay High, and Solving the Missing Middle with Charles Covey, Jack Rowe, and Tim Early
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Episode Overview
In this episode of The Land Development Podcast, host Ryan Glick brings back three familiar voices—Charles Covey, Jack Rowe, and Tim Early—for a group discussion focused on two big topics: how land is really valued and what can be done to solve the missing middle housing problem. These guys are active in the industry every day, and they talk through what they’re seeing on the ground when it comes to pricing, market shifts, and development decisions.
They kick things off by breaking down the common mistakes people make when buying land, especially newer investors who assume prices will always go up. The group talks about how land value is tied to what can be built on it and how quickly it can be sold—not just what a neighbor sold their land for. They also explain why land prices often stay high even when the broader market cools down.
From there, the conversation shifts to affordable housing and the missing middle—homes that are smaller and more reasonably priced but often hard to get approved. They talk about how current city rules and zoning laws can block the kind of housing many people actually need. Everyone agrees that developers are ready to build these homes if cities allow more flexibility.
Finally, they look at the role of financing tools like special districts and how they can help projects move forward, especially when costs are high. While the challenges are real, the episode also highlights the opportunity for builders and developers who are willing to adapt and think differently. This one’s packed with useful insight for anyone involved in land or housing development.