Who to Trust for Real Estate Advice & Why Housing Costs Are Killing Birth Rates

In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson kick off with a fun "propaganda we're not falling for" segment before diving into serious territory: why young buyers are ditching traditional real estate professionals for YouTube and AI, and how housing affordability is literally reshaping America's future families. They explore the trust crisis in real estate, the rise of digital education, and the sobering connection between homeownership dreams and family planning decisions.

📱 Segment 1 – The Real Estate Trust Crisis: Why Gen Z Chooses YouTube Over Agents The 2025 Next Gen Homebuyer report reveals a stunning shift: only 33% of young buyers trust real estate agents, while 66% turn to YouTube for education and 35% use AI tools like ChatGPT. Erin and James break down why digital tools feel more trustworthy (no skin in the game) versus humans with commission incentives. They discuss the importance of cross-checking advice, why you still need human guidance for emotional and contractual complexity, and red flags to watch for when working with loan officers and agents. Plus, James shares why asking lots of questions is the hallmark of a trustworthy professional, and Erin offers her midterm rental consulting services for hands-on guidance.

👶 Segment 2 – Housing Costs vs. Baby-Making: The Demographic Crisis Nobody's Talking About Multiple studies show housing affordability is the #1 barrier to having children—25% of respondents aged 18-54 cite inability to buy a house as their biggest obstacle to starting families. The math is brutal: every 10% increase in home prices leads to 1% fewer births among non-homeowners. With the typical first-time buyer age hitting 38 (the highest ever), biological clocks are ticking while housing dreams remain out of reach. Erin and James explore the long-term real estate implications: will declining birth rates create a buyer shortage in 30 years? They also tackle the contradiction between government "pro-natalist" policies and the lack of support systems that would actually help families afford children.

🏠 Bonus Market Implications The hosts discuss how millennials' peak buying power drove recent price surges, what shrinking family sizes mean for home construction trends (average new home size actually decreased for the first time in decades), and whether build-to-rent properties need to pivot their sizing strategies for a childless future.

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Perfect for:

• Young buyers navigating the trust landscape of real estate professionals
• Anyone wondering why their friends are choosing YouTube over traditional advice
• Investors considering long-term demographic shifts in housing demand
• Policy watchers interested in the intersection of housing and family planning
• People curious about how personal financial decisions ripple into societal trends

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