Trust the Process

Every community has a starting point, and often, it begins with a conversation. In this episode of Trust the Process, Michael and Krista take listeners behind the scenes of Mesa Verde Enclave, a proposed four-home luxury community in Southern Nevada. What starts as a discussion about a small development opportunity quickly becomes a deeper conversation about architecture, design evolution, buyer p...

S2 Episode 42: Trust the Process Podcast Building a home involves hundreds of decisions, and not all cost-saving choices carry the same impact. In this episode of Trust the Process Podcast , we explore the concept of underspec’ing a build—where it shows up, why it happens, and how it can influence the long-term performance and cost of a home. From finishes and materials to critical behind-the-wall...

Episode 41: In this episode of Trust the Process Podcast , we pull back the curtain on how our business actually runs day to day. From the outside, it can look like a large operation with endless resources—but in reality, it’s a small team managing multiple projects, timelines, and decisions all at once. We walk through how that works, where our time and energy really go, and why the part most peo...

In this episode of Trust the Process Podcast , we break down what it really means to scale from custom homes into multifamily development. We share the thinking behind our first major multifamily project, how the opportunity came together, and what changes operationally when you move from building a handful of homes to delivering dozens of units at once. We talk through financing, risk, timing, te...

Episode 39: Is now a good time to build? In this episode, we dig into vendor pricing, construction costs, and the real factors that influence when—and how—builders make pricing decisions. From trade availability to market timing, we share an inside look at what actually moves the needle in today’s building environment.

Episode 38: Is the housing market turning? In this episode, we explore early 2026 market indicators and what they may signal for the year ahead. After a difficult and uncertain 2025, we discuss shifts in buyer activity, inventory levels, interest rates, and broader economic factors that suggest momentum may be returning. This conversation focuses on real data, industry experience, and the early cl...

S2 Episode 37: Welcome to Season 2 of Trust the Process Podcast . In this episode, Krista and Michael re-introduce who they are, how Trust Home Builders came to be, and what it looks like to grow a homebuilding company in today’s market. From early infill projects to larger developments now underway, they share the path that led here and what’s ahead. The conversation covers: The company’s pipelin...

Episode 36, Trust the Process Podcast: Thank you for listening and shaping this show. To close out Season One, we stitched together your most-engaged moments of the year—market zigs and zags, builder playbook moves (pricing, pacing, buydowns), why third-party inspections stop work (and save headaches), plus design/lifestyle highlights and a few laughs. In this episode What actually moved the marke...

EP 35, Trust the Process Podcast: Popcorn’s ready. In this episode, we lay out our two-lane plan—fewer, better luxury infill where design truly shows up (think 12’ ceilings, big glass, custom details) and a smart entry-level townhome track where demand is real. Plus quick updates on Westridge, Argos, and a new 24-townhome concept. What we cover Market pulse: what softened, what’s stabilizing, and...

Episode 34, Trust the Process Podcast: Thank you to Taney Engineering, Jeff Thompson & Team! A behind-the-scenes check-in with our engineering team—what moved this week, what’s pending, and what it actually takes to go from NOFA to final map. What we cover: Studies & submittals in motion (drainage, traffic, utilities, grading) Agency coordination: city/county plan check, comments, resubmit...

Episode 33 - Big offers start the moment your notice posts or your map records. Do you sell the dirt or see it through? In this episode we outline the decision points and how builders choose to sell or see the project through. Join us for this conversation about when and why builders bail: risk, timelines, carrying costs, opportunity cost. Why big publics can pay more: scale, repeat plans, in-hous...

Bonus Episode: A quick, no-frills market pulse from Michael: buyer mood is waking up , traffic is ticking higher, and Vegas inventory looks closer to one-to-one absorption after a spring surge. We talk rate-buydown dynamics (why “tonnage” builders can move demand), why spring felt frozen despite OK headline numbers, and how we’re pricing/spec’ing heading into Q4. Includes real context on recent we...

Episode 32 - Q3 didn’t move in a straight line, so we didn’t either. In this episode we share the zigs (market shifts we faced) and the zags (how we adjusted): spec levels, pricing strategy, start pacing, and the marketing moves that actually drove showings and calls. What we cover Market signals we watched and how they changed week to week Where we zigged: product mix, feature sets, timing, and a...

Episode 31 - Third-party inspections = impartial truth. We define first/second/third-party roles, explain where independent checks happen in a build, and why those hold points protect the buyer, the builder, and the finished home. In this episode you’ll learn First vs. second vs. third-party—clear definitions and why they matter Where third-party checks happen in a build (pre-pour, framing, MEP ro...

Episode 30: In this episode of Trust the Process , we explore how technology, transparency, and curiosity have reshaped the real estate market forever. From instant online comps and drone photography to the rise of Zillow scrolls and TikTok house tours, today's buyers are more informed—and more opinionated—than ever before. We talk about how this shift is changing the way homes are marketed, evalu...

Episode 29: How do you take an overlooked parcel of land with outdated zoning and turn it into a future luxury neighborhood? In this episode, Michael and Krista pull back the curtain on the long, winding process behind their latest infill development—sharing real-time wins, unexpected roadblocks, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shaped the outcome. 👉 If you missed the first part of this t...

Episode 28: Building a home isn’t just about bricks and blueprints—it’s about playing by the rules. In this episode of Trust the Process , we unpack the reality of building codes, regulations, and red tape. Do they help ensure safety and quality—or do they add unnecessary cost, time, and confusion? Whether you're planning a custom home, working in construction, or just curious about what’s behind...

Episode 27 - Hesitation has a price tag. This week Krista and Michael unpack how “wait-and-see” thinking can quietly drain wallets on both sides of the closing table: Buyers lose equity every month they keep paying rent Builders bleed carry costs while spec homes sit unsold Homeowners with ultra-low rates risk lifestyle stagnation when fear trumps facts Market windows open—and slam shut—faster tha...

Episode 26 - In this episode of Trust the Process , Krista and Michael unpack everything you need to know about modern appraisals—from “Tidewater” notices and shortfalls to the builder hacks that quietly set new comps. Along the way, they reveal: Why appraisals protect the bank, not the buyer or seller —and what that really means for negotiations How appraisal contingencies (or waivers) shift risk...

Episode 25 -In this episode of Trust the Process , we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the toughest parts of building custom and semi-custom homes: fatigue — emotional, mental, and even transactional. From friction with buyers and agents to the stress of managing expectations over multi-year builds, we explore why even the most professional teams reach their limit. Whether you're an agent bri...

Episode 24 - With home prices on the rise and interest rates still elevated, it's a question we hear all the time: Why can't we just build more homes? In this special episode of Trust the Process , we’ve pulled together clips from past conversations to explore the complex answer. It’s not just about land. It’s about whether that land is buildable, the crushing weight of regulation, the time and co...

Episode 23 - Spring is traditionally the hottest season in real estate—but 2025 isn't following the script. In this episode of Trust the Process , Krista and Michael unpack the current state of the housing market, from shifting buyer sentiment and seasonal traffic patterns to macroeconomic pressures and local market dynamics in Las Vegas. Whether you're a builder, agent, or buyer, this candid conv...

In this episode of Trust the Process , Michael & Krista explore the polarizing term "McMansion"—what it means, where it came from, and whether it deserves its bad reputation. From oversized brick facades to faux Palladian windows and modern minimalist knockoffs, Krista breaks down the history, design trends, and economics that shaped this uniquely American housing phenomenon. Are McMansions ar...

Sticker Shock: 6 Surprising Costs of Building a Custom Home Think building a luxury home is all about finishes and square footage? In this episode, Krista and Michael break down six surprising costs —three that are shockingly high and three that are lower than you'd expect. From $75K design fees to $23K window packages, we pull back the curtain on what really drives the budget in custom home const...

Episode 20: A small infill parcel. A straightforward plan. And then — zoning chaos. In this episode, we share the real story of how one project in Henderson, NV went from 23 townhomes to just 7 custom homes, thanks to setbacks, cul-de-sac requirements, and a sewer truck with a 100-ft turning radius. It’s frustrating, funny, and eye-opening — a must-hear for anyone in real estate, land development,...