Builder’s View Podcast

The old 1% Rule doesn’t work in today’s housing markets — but a new formula does.
In this episode of Builder’s View, Jeff Zimmerman explains how Fort + Home’s factory-built housing model lowers costs by 20–25% per square foot, improving rent-to-cost ratios and restoring project viability across Colorado and the Rockies.
 
Read to learn more:
https://www.fortandhome.com/blog/the-1-rule-rent-to-cost-ratios-how-factory-precision-makes-deals-pencil
Watch full episode:
https://youtu.be/SPi-OVsmIS8
 
Listen, subscribe, and share with anyone shaping the future of attainable housing.
 
#BuildersView #FortAndHome #FortHomes #FactoryBuilt #RentToCost #1PercentRule #ModularConstruction #SIPPanels #PrecisionBuilt #HousingInnovation #RockyMountainHousing #AttainableHousing

Traditional construction’s high costs and delays tank financing. Jeff Zimmerman, CEO of Fort + Home, breaks down how precision-built homes cut costs by ~20–25%, improving Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DCR) and making projects financeable from our Grand Junction factory hub.
Learn more:
https://www.fortandhome.com/blog/dscr-and-bankability-how-factory-built-homes-win-financing-in-colorado
Watch full episode:
https://youtu.be/9W3rsUWegBs
#BuildersView #FortAndHome #DCR #FactoryBuilt #ModularConstruction #SIPPanels #PrecisionBuilt #ConstructionFinancing #RockyMountainHousing #AttainableHousing

Cap rate shows how the property performs. Cash-on-cash shows how your money performs.
In this Builder’s View episode, Jeff Zimmerman, CEO of Fort + Home, explains both metrics using simple, illustrative examples — then reveals how precision-built homes lower costs by 20–25%, increasing both returns and resilience.
Recorded at Fort + Home’s Grand Junction facility, this episode connects real estate finance to factory innovation — helping investors and developers understand how cost control creates stronger deals.
Listen, subscribe, and share with anyone who wants to understand how smarter construction boosts real estate returns.         
Read Full Blog:
https://www.fortandhome.com/blog/cap-rate-vs-cash-on-cash-return-how-factory-precision-improves-real-estate-performance
Watch Full Episode:
https://youtu.be/048rhSIVbos

Every home, every community, and every real estate deal starts with one number: cost per square foot. It’s the metric that determines whether a project pencils — or fails. In this episode, Jeff Zimmerman breaks down how Fort Homes’ precision-built system is rewriting that equation. By bringing construction indoors and controlling every variable, Fort Homes is cutting build costs by 20–25%, increasing investor yields, and making attainable housing a reality again.
Key Takeaways:
Why $/sq ft defines project success or failure
How factory precision slashes cost and risk
The link between cost control and investor yield
Real-world data from NAHB + RSMeans on offsite savings
How 100 homes can save $4.5M in project costs
Fort Homes | Building the Future of Attainable Livingwww.forthandhome.com

Traditional homebuilding is slow, expensive, and unpredictable.
In this Builder’s View episode, Jeff Zimmerman explains how modular and SIP systems — built in controlled factory settings — are changing the economics of housing in Colorado and across the Rockies.
Listen, subscribe, and share with anyone shaping the future of housing.

Colorado’s ski towns face a housing emergency: Eagle County prices are up 209%, Steamboat’s median tops $950K, and Aspen’s average is near $18M. In this episode, Jeff Zimmerman, CEO of Fort + Home, shares why precision-built and panelized housing, produced locally in Grand Junction, is the scalable solution for workforce housing across the Rockies.
Read Full Blog: https://www.fortandhome.com/blog/-why-precision-built-homes-pencil-in-western-colorado-ski-towns
Watch Full Episode: https://youtu.be/GfZ60D-TPSM

From Colorado’s 106,000-unit housing shortfall to Utah’s looming $1M median price, the Rocky Mountain housing crisis is intensifying.
In this episode, Jeff Zimmerman, CEO of Fort + Home, explains how vertical integration, modular construction, and an AI-first mindset are changing how we build homes in supply-constrained markets.
 
Read Full Blog
Learn more about Fort + Home
 
 

In this captivating episode of the Builder's View Podcast, hosts Jeff Zimmerman and Joe Evers interview Rick Howell, a Wyoming native with an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey. Rick shares his insights on building a successful business, drawing from his experiences as a home builder in Sheridan, Wyoming. He discusses his strategic shift from constructing homes to holding and converting them into rental properties, showcasing his innovative approach to business and his belief in timing the real estate market.
Rick also explores his ventures beyond real estate, including owning and operating a restaurant, highlighting his versatility as a serial entrepreneur. In addition to his business achievements, Rick is a dedicated philanthropist who enjoys giving back to his community. In retirement, he spends his time supporting various charitable causes and traveling the world.
Throughout the conversation, Rick emphasizes the importance of hard work, a value deeply ingrained in him and his family. He offers practical advice on balancing business ownership with family life, sharing the challenges and rewards of his multifaceted career.
Tune in to hear Rick Howell's inspiring story, packed with valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, market timing, philanthropy, and the dedication required to succeed in both business and family life.

In this engaging episode of the Builder's View Podcast, host Jeff Zimmerman and former NFL player Mitch Unrein team up to interview Joel Dreessen, a Colorado native and accomplished NFL tight end. Joel shares his journey from playing football at Colorado State University to competing at the highest level in the NFL with the New York Jets, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos.
Joel explains the mental conditioning that fueled his success on the field, discussing how his faith in Jesus Christ played a pivotal role in his career. He offers an inside look at the realities of fame, his unwavering dedication to his craft, and the challenges of transitioning from professional football to the next chapter of his life.
This episode provides a deep dive into Joel's experiences with family, faith, and personal growth. As part 1 of a two-part series, listeners can look forward to a follow-up interview that will continue exploring Joel's remarkable journey. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Joel Dreessen's story of resilience, faith, and determination.

In this compelling episode of the Builder's View Podcast, host Jeff Zimmerman delves into the extraordinary journey of Mitch Unrein, a Colorado native whose determination and resilience propelled him to NFL success. Mitch shares his inspiring story, from walking on to the University of Wyoming's football team to becoming a standout defensive player. Despite going undrafted and being released by the Houston Texans, Mitch's unwavering mindset helped him secure a spot on the Denver Broncos' practice squad, eventually establishing himself as one of the league's premier run stoppers, and playing for three other NFL teams throughout his career.
Now retired and living in Texas, Mitch reflects on the transitions and adversities he faced, offering insights into his life beyond football. He discusses his current focus on raising his sons, being a devoted husband, and growing in his faith with Jesus Christ. Mitch provides listeners with valuable advice on how to achieve success through perseverance, resilience, and faith.
This episode is a powerful testament to Mitch Unrein's journey of overcoming the odds and building a fulfilling life. Tune in to hear how Mitch's experiences on and off the field have shaped his path and to gain inspiration from his story of dedication, family, and faith.