Framing the Issue

About Framing the Issue

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.

Publisher

Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Jan 2026

Latest episode

16 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Oct 2026

   11. Selling and Buying a Home

   It's taken a long time to get to the point where a new construction home can be built. From site selection and land acquisition to construction and marketing, we're finally ready to find a buyer for our house. Of course, the project is still not complete. We need to navigate the choppy waters of finding a qualified buyer, financing, and pushing the sale across the finish line. To do this, hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith are sitting down with special guests Frankie Franklin and Magda Esola to discuss the biggest purchase most people will make in their lifetime. The panel discusses strategies for affordability - particularly for first time homebuyers - legislative and regulatory challenges, the expanding role of AI, the impact of rising interest rates, and the importance of education for both buyers and brokers.

2. 

   18 Sept 2026

   Home Building Marketing with Special Guests Tara Whiteley of Eastwood Homes and Celeste Horton of Classica Homes

   After all the steps taken to secure land, develop it, and build a house, there’s still one more big piece of the puzzle that needs to be accounted for, and it also impacts the cost of a house. Marketing and getting a house sold is one of the last steps in the process, but it’s also one of the most important. In this episode of the Framing the Issue Podcast, hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith sit down with Tara Whiteley of Eastwood Homes and Celeste Horton of Classica Homes to explore the intricacies of marketing and sales in the home building industry, highlighting how visual content, digital strategies, and AI are transforming the way builders connect with buyers. Our guests also share insights on marketing timelines, budget allocation, and the impact of AI on consumer research and lead generation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Home Building Marketing 01:14 Visual Content and Its Impact 01:49 Marketing Timelines and Strategies 03:10 Target Audience and Renderings 03:57 Department Collaboration in Marketing 06:04 Timeline for Marketing Land and Communities 08:01 Decision-Making in Marketing Channels 09:27 Role of Analytics in Marketing 10:57 AI in Content Generation and Virtual Staging 12:50 Consumer Use of AI for Research 15:56 AI and SEO in Home Building 19:04 Balancing Content and Quantity on Social Media 22:06 Impact of Land Costs and Regulations 25:07 Social Media Strategies and Trends 27:46 Marketing Budget and Cost Breakdown 31:04 Affordability and Buyer Education 33:51 Market Growth and Future Outlook 37:01 Role of Builders in Market Advocacy 40:03 Final Advice for Buyers and Builders 43:04 Closing Remarks and Resources

3. 

   21 Aug 2026

   Season One Midpoint Recap with Hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith

   As the Framing the Issue podcast reaches the halfway point of its first season, hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith sit down together to discuss what they’ve learned so far. Aaron and Morgan explore the complex factors discussed in the previous episodes of the podcast that are behind the housing affordability crisis. Topics include regulatory costs, land development, material supply chains, and community involvement. They share insights from industry experts and discuss how these elements contribute to rising home prices.

4. 

   17 Jul 2026

   Vertical Construction with Tom Crawford of Eastwood Homes and Jodi Brickley of Andrew Roby

   Having finally selected a suitable site for a build, with workable topography, acquired zoning rights, and hopefully not spend too much money molding the dirt to be ready, we’re now at the point where we can finally put shovels in the ground and lay a foundation. Of course, that’s no easy task either, and there’s plenty of opportunity for the build process to be derailed, delayed or pushed beyond the ideal budget. To help keep those costs to a minimum and make sure the best build possible, we’re talking to two experienced professionals who have been involved with every step of the building process. Tom Crawford of Eastwood Homes and Jodi Brickley of Andrew Roby join hosts Aaron Kersey and Morgan Smith for a discussion about what happens once you’re ready to build. Today’s episode of Framing the Issue breaks down the cost of new construction, the impact of zoning, permits and regulation, as well as the shortage in labor and trades. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guests 00:41 Guests' Backgrounds and Industry Experience 04:28 Day-to-Day of Site Management for Production and Custom Homes 08:22 Involvement in Land Development and Site Preparation 09:10 Understanding Vertical Construction in Home Building 10:11 Where Home Construction Budget Goes: Cost Breakdown 12:21 Factors Driving Home Construction Costs 16:55 Labor Shortage and Trades Workforce Challenges 21:30 Regulations, Zoning, and Impact Fees Impact on Costs 25:23 Permitting, Inspections, and Regulatory Hurdles 27:09 Client and Subcontractor Relationship Management 29:32 Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them 33:42 Advice for Young People Interested in Homeownership 40:36 Summary and Key Takeaways from the Episode

5. 

   18 Jun 2026

   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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guests 00:27 Guest Matt Price's background and experience in plumbing 02:12 Guest Jake Kennedy's background and family in construction 04:42 Getting into the construction industry: family influence and personal choices 08:55 Current landscape of entry-level jobs in the trades 09:21 The structure and diversity of a plumbing company 12:13 The importance and safety of plumbing work 14:02 The financial benefits and pay in the trades 16:03 Why people avoid trades and how to change perceptions 17:30 Entry wages and upward mobility in trades 20:03 Changing perceptions of trades among youth 22:01 Trade immersion tours for students 24:20 Impact of college debt and alternative career paths 28:37 Personal stories of career progression in trades 30:01 Experience vs. education in hiring decisions 32:04 Role of CTE and community college programs 35:40 Diversity, immigration, and workforce gaps in construction 40:02 Private equity's influence on small construction businesses 43:30 Advice to young people considering trades 46:27 Closing remarks and call to action Links: Builders Bridge (https://buildersbridge.org/)

6. 

   15 May 2026

   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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Episode and Guest 01:00 Guest Background: Charles Bowden and MSI 02:12 Overview of Shipping Logistics in Construction 03:17 What Are Shipping Logistics and How Do They Work? 05:03 Understanding Freight Class and Shipping Costs 06:29 Tariffs and Their Impact on Import Costs 07:17 What Are Tariffs and How Do They Affect Shipping? 09:09 Container Costs and COVID-19 Impact 10:53 Section 232 and 301 Tariffs Explained 12:47 Most Affected Construction Materials by Tariffs 15:33 Shipping Delays and Global Disruptions 19:25 Nearshoring and Its Growing Role in Supply Chains 21:04 What Is Landed Cost and Why Is It Important? 23:05 Budgeting and Price Escalation in Construction 26:49 Advice for Managing Material Costs and Tariffs 30:37 Future Outlook on Tariffs and Shipping Challenges 31:56 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways

7. 

   17 Apr 2026

   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. 00:00 Introduction to Land Development Experts 02:48 First Steps After Land Acquisition 03:50 Understanding the Grading Plan 06:07 Cost of Moving Dirt and Cut-Fill Challenges 09:29 Stormwater Management and Phasing 11:29 Planning for Multiple Development Phases 12:17 Wet vs Dry Utilities and Installation Priorities 14:12 Dealing with Distant Utility Lines and Private Systems 16:02 Coordination with Municipalities and Utility Providers 17:20 What Is a Lift Station and Its Impact 21:09 Overhead vs Underground Utilities and Costs 24:31 Community Infrastructure: Roads, Amenities, and Bonds 27:25 Road Dedications and Public Maintenance 29:45 Navigating Municipal and NCDOT Requirements 31:26 Multiple Contractors and Managing Disruptions 36:25 Challenges of Rock and Unknown Site Conditions 38:29 Technology and Innovation in Land Development 42:43 Cost of Land Development Before Building Homes 44:12 Land Cost as a Percentage of Home Price 45:53 Mathematical Approach to Land and Home Costs

8. 

   21 Mar 2026

   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. Resources McAdams Engineering - https://www.mcadamsco.com/ EnviroTrac - https://envirotrac.com/ National Environmental Issues Committee - https://www.nahb.org/ Stormwater Management Permits - https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-permits (https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-permits) Guest Links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-reddick/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ward-marotti-29245420/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Site Planning and Guests 02:54 Understanding Site Planning: Definition and Importance 06:09 The Role of Due Diligence in Development 09:05 Impact of Site Planning on Project Profitability 11:57 Environmental Considerations in Site Planning 15:08 Cost Implications of Environmental Assessments 17:55 Navigating Protected Species and Their Impact 20:54 Stream Crossings and Infrastructure Costs 22:39 Understanding Site Planning Challenges 23:43 The Importance of Walkability and Connectivity 26:15 Navigating Development Costs and Regulations 28:20 Hidden Costs in Home Development 30:08 The Role of Retaining Walls and Stormwater Management 33:24 The Permitting Process Explained 37:13 Community Opposition and NIMBYism 43:02 The Timeline of Home Development

9. 

   20 Feb 2026

   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. Connect with the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte at hbacharlotte.com (http://hbacharlotte.com). Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Land Development and Entitlements 01:08 Guest Introduction: Bridgette Grant's Background 02:12 Rob Nanfelt and the Role of REBIC 03:35 Recap of Land Buying and Entitlement Process 04:49 Difference Between Permits and Entitlements 05:38 Key Players in the Entitlement Stage 06:26 Factors Stretching the Entitlement Process 07:04 Community Engagement and Opposition 08:27 Community Meetings and Resident Concerns 09:21 Impact of Development on Traffic and Infrastructure 10:08 Transportation Referendum and Infrastructure Funding 11:04 Common Community Frustrations with Development 12:37 Benefits of Entitlements for Property Owners 14:43 Residential vs Commercial Entitlements 16:25 Due Diligence in Property Evaluation 17:27 Project Failures Post-Entitlement 18:17 Land Scarcity and Growth Challenges 19:10 What is a UDO and Its Purpose 20:25 Challenges in Implementing the UDO 22:01 Coordination Between City and County 23:10 Impact of Delays on Development Costs 24:33 Importance of Relationships in Entitlement Process 25:22 Differences Between Zoning Ordinance and UDO 26:07 Cost Implications of Development Delays 27:23 Cost of Apartments and Housing Affordability 28:19 Who Benefits from Entitlements? 29:01 Zoning and Land Use Regulations 30:21 Engagement and Civic Duty in Development 32:38 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview Resources Charlotte Regional Business Alliance - https://charlotteregionalbusiness.com/ Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) - https://charlottenc.gov/Planning/Pages/UDO.aspx Rebic - Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition - https://www.rebiclobby.com/ Charlotte City Planning Department - https://charlottenc.gov/Planning/Pages/default.aspx Guest Links LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgettegrant/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridgettegrant/) LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnanfelt/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robnanfelt/) DFW3UNW2MWZWFTKV

10. 

    23 Jan 2026

    Land Acquisition with Cody King of Queen City Land and Chad Lloyd of DRB Group

    In the first 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. Connect with the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte at hbacharlotte.com (http://hbacharlotte.com).

11. 

    12 Jan 2026

    Welcome to Framing the Issue!

    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. Connect with the Home Builders Association of Greater Charlotte at hbacharlotte.com (http://hbacharlotte.com/).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.