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The California Housing Shortage Crisis

The Perfect Storm for Developers & The Reason TrendAmerica Is In Demand

2M+

Unit Housing Backlog

180K

New Units Needed Annually

80K

Average Units Built Per Year

10 Years

Of Housing Undersupply

A Crisis of Historic Proportions

The California Housing Market-Supply Shortage Crisis represents an opportunity for real estate developers. California Government Code Section 65589.5 states that "California has a housing supply crisis of historic proportions" and has accumulated an unmet housing backlog of nearly 2,000,000 units.

The state must provide for at least 180,000 new units annually to keep pace with growth. Yet during the last 10 years, housing production averaged fewer than 80,000 new homes each year — falling far below projected needs.

California experienced a housing bubble burst in 2005-2006, the 2008 stock market crash, and the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in new home construction falling to a 10-year undersupply. That's a decade of housing shortage to overcome, creating unprecedented demand from homebuilders for entitled land.

State Legislative Action

This crisis has resulted in the enactment of several State Housing Bills (Senate Bill 330, Assembly Bill 131, Senate Bill 131, and Senate Bill 79) designed to significantly increase the approval of new housing by curbing the capability of local governments to deny or reduce the density of housing development projects.

Why Homebuilders Need Us

By taking a property from its non-entitled state to an approved residential subdivision, then selling it to a homebuilder, we increase the homebuilder's Return on Investment and Internal Rate of Return because the land value is not on their books during the entitlement process.

Interest Rate Buydowns: New homebuilders need to preserve cash to buy down interest rates for their homebuyers — providing mortgage rates 2% lower than prevailing rates. By deferring the cost to carry and entitle land, they have the cash available to offer these competitive rates.

As Kate Kaminski, COO for Walton Global (controlling over 90,000 acres nationwide) stated on Bloomberg News: "Under the current economic climate, new homebuilders will only consider buying entitled land."

Our Three-Step Approach

1

Control It

We control property through option contracts rather than owning it outright. This minimizes stakeholder investment, avoids substantial debt, and reduces risk while maintaining full control during the entitlement process.

2

Entitle It

We obtain tentative subdivision map or planned development approval, utilizing our deep expertise working with City/County Planning Departments, City Councils, Planning Commissions, and County Supervisors.

3

Sell It

We negotiate with multiple homebuilder candidates, secure competitive offers, and close quickly since the property has an approved map. Profits are distributed immediately to stakeholders.

How TrendAmerica Is Solving the Crisis

We are California's housing shortage solution, taking underproducing properties and maximizing their value — whether it's raw land, closed school sites, wholesale nurseries, defunct oil well sites, or commercial property suited for residential conversion.

Paper Lots = Lower Risk

We sell "Paper Lots" — approved subdivision maps without infrastructure installation or construction. We don't put a shovel in the ground, avoiding the high-risk development phase.

We Know the Numbers

Our team has worked for the largest national homebuilders. Our Project Financial Analysis Proforma mirrors theirs exactly, giving us a distinct advantage in negotiations.

Double Escrow Close

We use the homebuilder's purchase money — not stakeholder funds — to pay the underlying landowner, requiring less upfront capital while maintaining full control.

Both Sides of the Fence

We have extensive experience as public planners and city council members, as well as private real estate developers. We navigate regulatory challenges others can't.

100% Approval Rate

On every one of our projects, we have obtained approval. We get timely approvals in highly regulated California — which scares off many national homebuilders — because we're not afraid and have the track record to prove it.

California is the most highly regulated housing approval process in the nation. It can be very difficult to obtain subdivision approvals. That's to our advantage at TrendAmerica, because we have vast experience and knowledge in California entitlements and know how to navigate the regulatory maze fluidly and skillfully.

In-Demand Markets

We focus on supply-constrained markets in Southern California — San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties — areas with high demand for housing and homebuyers with high incomes.

According to GOBankRates, San Diego saw an 8.03% year-over-year increase in average home value, with homes rising from $872,580 to $942,645. Orange County and select areas of Los Angeles County are even higher.

Even with population changes in California, we focus on micro-market areas where there is high demand for housing and homebuyers with the ability to purchase homes in higher-priced markets with the best schools and amenities.

Partner With TrendAmerica

Join us in solving California's housing crisis while maximizing returns on your investment

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