May 6, 2025

Industry News: Builder Discounts, Wildfire-Ready Homes, and Demographic Shifts in Homeownership

In this Industry News episode, Ryan Glick and Charles Covey break down April's housing data, a new wildfire-resilient neighborhood in San Diego, and why most U.S. adults now value flexibility over traditional homeownership.

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Episode Overview

In this week’s Industry News episode, host Ryan Glick and co-host Charles Covey explore major headlines shaping land development and housing today. They start by responding to viewer comments from social media, tackling topics like entry-level job struggles in engineering and the ongoing debate over political accountability in managing the national budget. 

Next, they take a deep dive into April 2025’s housing data. Active listings rose significantly, but sales are slowing, and price cuts are on the rise—pointing to a disconnect between supply and demand. Ryan emphasizes how affordability has shifted since 2019, with $47,000 more income now needed to afford a median-priced home. Charles weighs in on how developers must assess whether they’re building the right type of housing for today’s buyers, especially with regional differences in mind.

The conversation shifts to a key report from John Burns Research, showing a cultural shift away from early homeownership. Many younger adults are delaying marriage, parenthood, and buying homes, with 70% saying they prefer flexibility over stability. The data also reveals a growing renter population over age 30 and an aging U.S. population that will reshape housing needs over the next decade.

Finally, Ryan and Charles spotlight a new 64-home neighborhood in San Diego that’s been purpose-built to resist wildfires. They discuss the significance of its design features, the insurance certification it received, and how this could become a model for other high-risk regions.

Guest Details
Charles Covey
Founder & President @ LandVest Development
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