1. New Podcast Released – Bridget Grant, Moore & Van Allen’s Co-Head of Zoning, Entitlement, & Land Use
With more than 10 years of land planning and urban design experience in both the private and public sectors, you’ll find our November 2023 interview with Bridget Grant, guest on the podcast Getting Real with Rob, to be entertaining and educational. Bridget is the co-head of zoning, entitlement, and land use for Moore Van Allen
As our conversation segued from personal to professional, she was quick to point out that she believes the entire entitlement and land use process needs a “more thoughtful approach.” She believes that we all need to come to the table willing to tie every process to understanding the original “why” for the development. By uncovering that original story or vision, she shares, all parties can infuse the process with elements that help create a better overall project, ultimately making it better for the entire community.
Moore & Van Allen recently announced that Bridget has been selected as a Connect CRE (Commercial Real Estate) 2023 Women in Real Estate Awards winner in the Atlanta & Southeast region. Grant was selected as a winner from among more than 500 submissions from companies across the country.
Read the entire bio and listen to this episode here.
My take: Bridget was a fantastic guest and her knowledge of development from both sides of the interaction – public and private – makes her incredibly valuable to her clients. She also keeps me in check, reminding me that City Staff has a tough job to do, and a modicum of patience will likely lead to a better outcome….most of the time. I really enjoyed our time together in the booth and appreciate her perspective on varying topics during our frequent meetings.
2. National Housing Prices are 69% Higher Than Their Last Peak in 2006
National home prices continued to increase in September. Despite rising mortgage rates, limited inventory and solid but weakened demand provided solid support for home prices. Locally, all of 20 metro areas had positive home price appreciation in September.
The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, reported by S&P Dow Jones Indices, rose at a seasonally adjusted annual growth rate of 8.1% in September, slightly slower than a 9.8% increase in August. It is the eighth consecutive annual gain since February 2023. National home prices are now 69% higher than their last peak during the housing boom in March 2006.
On a year-over-year basis, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price NSA Index posted a 3.9% annual gain in September, following a 2.5% increase in August.
Meanwhile, the Home Price Index, released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), rose at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 7.6% in September, following an 8.8% increase in August. On a year-over-year basis, the FHFA Home Price NSA Index rose by 6.0% in September, up from 5.8% in the previous month. Click here to read more from Jing Fu, Director of Forecasting and Analysis at NAHB.
My take: This is why we are constantly beating the drum on housing affordability. The type of trajectory described above is simply unsustainable which is why nearly a year ago we suggested six strategies aimed at housing affordability. Read more here. Also, for a local perspective on rising housing costs, please see the 2023 State of Housing in Charlotte Report.
Rob Nanfelt