Episode 12: Why Housing Is So Expensive: The Real Story Behind the Crisis

Housing feels unaffordable because it is — but not for the reasons most people think. In this episode, we unravel the tangled systems behind today’s housing crisis: zoning laws that restrict supply, NIMBY politics that stall construction, construction labor shortages, investor buying frenzies, Airbnb‑driven demand, remote‑work reshuffling, and decades of cheap mortgages that turbocharged prices. You’ll hear wild facts about cities with the fastest price spikes in history, the world’s tiniest million‑dollar apartments, and countries where homes cost less than a used laptop. We also explore how homes transformed from shelter into financial assets — and how that shift reshaped everything. This is the episode that finally makes the housing market make sense, giving you the clarity to navigate one of the most important systems in modern life.