An economic report expressed that “lot shortages are an issue, as is finding the right talent at the right price.”  See: Balancing Land Cost and Labor.  It seems logical that the challenge for homeownership is the labor force itself can’t find the housing they need at the right price given the current slow wage growth the market is confronted with. Home building mergers, such as the Ryland merger, are attempting to align costs to improve margins so that they can deliver housing product to both entry level and high market demands. This also has the benefit of reducing competition for land from which new housing units will be built.  Hopefully this will  help avoid the artificial inflation seen in the pre-recession era. If we can let the free market’s hand playout without artificial drivers from lawsuits giving rise to inflated home prices too and, the lack of condo inventory in the case of Denver, perhaps everyone will find attainable housing to meet their budgetary needs.