A Phil Hall Op-Ed: During the final weeks of his too-short life, Charlie Kirk raised several red flags about the state of the housing market. His messaging deserves to be heard again.
In July, Kirk used an appearance on Fox News to raise a taboo subject that neither Republicans nor Democrats want to acknowledge – the impact of institutional investors on housing.
“One out of four of all home purchases in the last year were out of these firms like BlackRock,” Kirk said. “They come in and are bidding out first-time homebuyers.”
Kirk added, “Homeownership is the cornerstone of the American Dream, and that dream is being auctioned off to the highest bidder on Wall Street.”
That situation has been festering for several years. The Biden administration conspicuously avoided discussing it, which is not surprising considering that executives at hedge funds and the major banks were among the major donors to that regime. The Trump administration is equally silent on the subject, which is also not a surprise when you consider Scott Bessent’s background in hedge funds and Bill Pulte’s work in private equity.
Also in July, Kirk spoke with the Washington Post about the need for the Trump administration to address the challenges facing today’s housing market.
“If we do not improve the material conditions of the younger voters, and do it quickly, the Mamdani effect will spread,” Kirk said, referring to the Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate in New York City. He also challenged the administration to lay out a game-changing strategy, suggesting that “we’re going to build 10 million homes, Marshall Plan-type thing” to address the evaporation of homeownership affordability.
Kirk quizzed both Bessent and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner on his radio show about the administration’s efforts to strengthen the housing market. Unfortunately, Kirk may have been a little too respectful with his guests, allowing them to recite administration talking points without asking tough follow-up questions regarding specific strategies and how to measure results of their work.
In one of his radio show monologues, Kirk argued that Gen Z was turning into a renting generation due to the lack of affordable homeownership opportunities. He noted how today’s homebuyers are coming later to the American Dream, which he blamed on overpriced housing and high interest rates.
“An entire generation are making their landlords rich, and they are experiencing none of the upside of this economy,” he declared.
Last month, Kirk argued that more vigorous law enforcement could help lower housing prices by making high-crime neighborhoods safer and more desirable for residency. The far-left Daily Caller referred to his idea as “bonkers,” although a casual look at the exodus of residents from high-crime cities such as San Francisco would affirm that he knew what he was talking about.
Kirk’s observations on the housing market were cogent and surprising. He encouraged the administration to do better – he was one of the very few prominent conservative voices to make such a call. Mercifully, he kept his comments on interest rates focused on economic policy and not personal attacks against the Federal Reserve leadership – a far cry from the puerile verbiage from Trump and Pulte.
As for the assassination of Kirk, I am reminded on comments made 24 years ago today by Pope John Paul II in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks: “Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth.”
Charlie Kirk’s words and legacy will continue inspire those who listened to him and respected what he was trying to accomplish. The messenger is no longer with us, but his message will go on.
Phil Hall is editor of Weekly Real Estate News. He can be reached at [email protected].
Thank you for writing this tribute to Charlie, he will be dearly missed.
Thank you, Phil. Very well said. Hopefully we will follow his lead to find more affordable housing options for our upcoming generations… RIP Charlie.
Amen! He was a positive influence on our country and the world. He will be missed and mourned, but I agree and pray that his work will continue.
Wow…this is beautifully written and filled with information. Thank you! This Nation needs change.
Charlie Kirk was an amazing, highly intelligent, man of God. He will be greatly missed but I hope and pray that others will be inspired to be bold like him. Thank you for your kind words. Evil will not prevail because the Bible tells us that God wins in the end. If you are feeling lost or discouraged, I challenge you to read the Bible. Charlie would’ve wanted that too.
Thank you for this. It shows how far reaching Charlie Kirk was in his message both from a spriritual point and a practical issue as well.
My wife and I are so saddened by the death of Charlie Kirk. Your words on his input into housing are important. His life was about civil dialogue, conservative values, patriotic love of country and the love of God. He was a very special man and his impact will be felt for many years to come. I’m very thankful for Charlie’s life and impact on our society. I pray for his family at such an awful time they are engulfed in and also going forward.
Although I don’t agree with everything he said, he did say that institutional investors make the market unaffordable for first time buyers. They are building luxury apartments with high rents that the original builder then resells to another buyer who raises the rents. This should not be allowed.
Well written, very informative, thank you!
This is a moment that I will always remember. Such sadness over this assassination. On this day of 911 it’s truly a turning point as was the death of jfk and mlk. He was a guy who was never afraid to engage anyone who disagreed with him and give them a platform. A true American hero.
I am very humbled today as I try and put my mind around such a terrible event in the very state that I have lived my whole life. We cannot afford to let the craziness continue and take the life a good people trying to actually make a better America.
I sell Real Estate for a living. The state of the economy with high prices on everything from groceries, gas, education, child care and so much more is also making it very difficult for people to get in to a home. Particularly hard for young starting out families. You couple all the high costs of just living and existing with the thought of trying to buy a home at inflated prices and high interest rate it is ominous. The American Dream is fading. If people can get in a home then it takes more than one income to sustain it. Often this puts young children, teens and young adults without the guidance in their homes so needed today. These families are being raised with electronic devices in their hands and by the gospel of the internet and television. It is a very sad and hard scenario. I really feel great concern for my clients that work hard to make an income, safe for a down payment and have to try and pay 1/2 a million dollars for the basic starter home.
It would be easy with the many terrible shootings happening across our country, the high crime rates, drug use, lack of civility to our fellowman and lack of teaching for your youth to feel that America has gone to pot. But, I keep knowing that I have to create my own America in my home, neighborhood and community by reaching out a hand to others, working hard, encouraging young people to do their best and show them what that looks like. The only way we are going to get the America back that I grew up in is to do just what I said. We need to keep creating the America we want, deserve, have a right to have and want to pass to your younger generation all round us everyday.
When I get to be with good people doing great things and being kind, accepting to all mankind that is “My America”. It helps me feel and know that maybe all is not lost.
all of this has been very well said. such a tragedy and I also hope that his legacy lives on in our actions and deeds.
Thank you for saying all that you did about Charlie!! He was a force of nature….clear thinking, bright and articulate. A gift to this nation. My prayer is that his movemet will continue with even more force. He was spot on with many, many issues confronting American and the West. May people’s eyes and ears be open.
Thank you for your comments.