Framing the Issue Podcast

The HBA of Greater Charlotte through our Young Professionals Council and Advocacy Committee introduces "Framing the Issue" Podcast, produced by Goh Studios.

Over the course of twelve episodes, our cohosts, Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith of the Young Professionals Council, will take you through the home building process - from initial site acquisition, to the entitlement process, through land planning, onto land development and sticks & bricks construction, all the way to the home closing - breaking down each step and demystifying what can be an extremely complex process.

Along the way they will discover why homes have become so unaffordable in the Charlotte region - and actions we all can take to help alleviate the affordability crisis. Join us as we walk through the process with two Gen Z professionals as they ask the question "Why You Can't Afford a Home".

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Episode 7: Labor, Trades and Workforce Development with Matt Price and Jake Kennedy

One of the less visible components of building a house is not just a key to unlocking better affordability, but also an economic ecosystem that provides career long opportunities to those willing to get their hands (just a little) dirty.

On today’s episode of Framing the Issue, hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith sit down with Matt Price of Price Brothers Plumbing and Jake Kennedy of Builders Bridge to discuss how the industry of labor affects housing affordability, but also provides young people with a career path that can be rewarding financially without the burden of education-related debt.

Matt and Jake talk about the evolving industry of labor, the importance of immigrant labor, and the opportunities available to those choosing that career path. Matt talks about how his family owned business trains new workers on the job and emphasizes the importance of real world experience, while Jake shows how organizations like Builders Bridge are making it possible for new workers to find placement within the industry.

Episode 6: Tariffs, Shipping and Materials with Charles Bowden

The vast majority of materials that you use to build a house are manufactured overseas and shipped to the US from around the world. That reliance on global shipping and distribution means materials can be subject to price fluctuations brought on by a wide variety of external factors.

To discuss how the cost of your house is affected by the cost of transporting materials, our guest today is Charles Bowden of MSI, one of the world’s largest movers of building materials. Charles takes the time to break down trading routes from Asia, and how the closure of certain routes has forced shippers to raise the costs of getting their products to their destination, and how that affects the price the end user pays.

Episode 5: Land Development with Mike Kissel and Morgan Rushnell

Before you’ve put on piece of lumber in the ground or poured any part of a foundation, the job of transforming the land into something ready for building must begin. That process is also likely to yield situations that could lead to higher building costs, such as moving land, removing obstacles, and creating drainage, just to name a few.

To discuss these potential pitfalls and other costs of doing business are Mike Kissel of Mattamy Homes and Morgan Rushnell of LINE + PLACE. Mike and Morgan talk with hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith about what developers need to do to turn a piece of untouched land into land ready to support a thriving community.

Listen to this episode now for discussion about grading, utilities, stormwater management, and the impact of technology on efficiency.

Episode 4: The Hidden Costs of Site Planning with Ward Marotti and Rob Reddick

Once you’ve found the land you want to build on and gotten the proper zoning, it’s on to figuring out how to build a structure and make it sustainable. Naturally, because communities and multi-family spaces use significant resources, you need to get your environmental impact done and done right.

On the fourth episode of Framing the Issue, we talk to Ward Marotti of EnviroTrac and Rob Reddick of McAdams Engineering. Ward and Rob take hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith through the environmental considerations needed in site planning. They talk about the role of retaining walls and stormwater management, as well as how hidden costs can drive the price of projects up by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Episode 3: Land Use and Entitlements with Bridget Grant and Rob Nanfelt

As we continue our examination of the home building process in Charlotte-Mecklenburg, we turn to two of the area’s leading experts on what you can and cannot do with a piece of land once you’ve acquired it.

Bridget Grant is a land use and development consultant with Moore Van Allen and Rob Nanfelt is the executive director of REBIC (Real Estate Building and Industry Coalition), both located in Charlotte. Bridget and Rob join hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith for a discussion about how to get approval from the city and county to build your home.

Rob and Bridget explore the complex process of land entitlements, zoning, and community engagement in the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg area. The team discusses how these factors influence housing costs, community opposition, and infrastructure planning, offering valuable insights for prospective homebuyers and developers.

Episode 2: Land Acquisition with Cody King and Chad Lloyd

In this episode of the Framing the Issue podcast, hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith talk about land acquisition. Any prospective home builder’s first step is to find a piece of land to build on, but in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, that’s not so easy, or cheap.

Joining Aaron and Morgan for a discussion on land acquisition is Chad Lloyd of DRB Group, Division VP of DRB Group and Cody King, Director of Land and Queen City Land. Chad and Cody offer insights into the land acquisition process from site selection to permitting and beyond.

Episode 1: Welcome to Framing the Issue with Jen Schuster

In our first episode, we introduce you to the hosts of the podcast, as well as one of the biggest minds behind the podcast. Hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith tell you a little about themselves, their background, and what their goals are as you join them on this journey. Aaron and Morgan are then joined by Jen Schuster, Executive Officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte, to talk about the HBA, what it is, and why we’re producing this podcast.