Housing affordability is so elusive that Beazer Homes is rewriting the playbook

Beazer Homes, led by CEO Allan Merrill, aims to improve home affordability by focusing on reducing monthly costs rather than just the initial price. The company prioritizes energy efficiency, building homes exceeding local energy codes with better insulation and air quality. This leads to lower energy bills and long-term savings for homeowners. Beazer operates its own insurance agency, passing along profits to charity to keep insurance costs competitive. They also offer a mortgage platform that fosters competition among lenders, aiming to secure lower interest rates for buyers. Merrill believes the current industry trend of shrinking homes is a flawed strategy. He stresses the importance of innovative designs to make each home better and more efficient. Merrill also highlights the impact of government fees on housing costs and the need for policy changes. For example, high government fees drive up the cost of new builds significantly.