New Homes

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

With increased interest of lowering our environmental impact and reducing monthly costs in homes, homeowners are looking to the installation of green features as they look to build new or upgrade their current home.

Making a few energy efficient upgrades will not only help the environment, but also increase the value of your home.

Solar Panels

If you’ve been thinking about installing solar panels to power your home, now is the time to do it. While the initial installation costs may be a bit daunting, there is a 30% federal renewable-energy tax credit available in 2019. To qualify, your system must be placed and in service (or ready for inspection) by December 31, 2019.

In 2020 the tax credit will fall to 26%; 2021 it will fall to 22%, and after that it is no longer available. With significant estimated savings in the first year as utility rates continue to rise, the system is projected to pay for itself in the first 10 years.

Geo-Thermal HVAC

These heating and cooling systems work by utilizing ground’s natural temperature to help regulate the temperature in your home without burning fuel or emitting greenhouse gases. The system consisting of underground piping, called group loop, and an indoor heat pump, work to help heat in the winter and cool in the summer.

We recommend contacting a qualified geothermal heat pump contractor or engineer to give an estimate of the size of the system needed for your home.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters help reduce the inefficiency of heating unused water by using thermal optic sensors that are activated as water passes through the system, heating only the water that is being used at that time — thus saving money!

This on-demand heating process helps reduce the energy and costs associated with reheating water. Additionally, tankless water heaters take up minimal space and can fit under the sink or in cabinets so homeowners won’t have an issue finding a place to put it.

Energy Efficient Windows

Choosing high-quality and energy efficient windows can result in significant cost savings and benefits in your home all year long. Having energy efficient windows can better insulate your home, forming a barrier against the cold in the winters and keeping rooms cooler in the summer.

With better insulation, you’ll consume less energy heating and cooling your home, resulting in cost savings and a more eco-friendly home. Additionally, these windows are made with a special coating that can block out the sun’s UV rays, which help protect your rug, carpet, wood and other fabrics that could be damaged by the sun.

LED Lighting

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights are designed to use at least 90% less energy than the standard bulbs, helping to save money right away on your energy bill. They are smaller in size, have reduced temperatures and have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs (up to 50,000 hours) so you won’t need to replace them nearly as often as fluorescent or incandescent bulbs.

From an environmental standpoint, LEDs don’t contain mercury as traditional lighting does, meaning when the time comes for a replacement, these lights can be recycled and do not require specific disposal handling.

Here are some new homes now on the market in Arlington:

• 1610 23rd Street S., Arlington — $1,550,000 — 6,990 sq. ft.
• 3001 N. Underwood, Arlington — $1,755,000 — 5,485 sq. ft.
• 1812 N. Barton Street, Arlington — $1,795,000 — 4,850 sq. ft.
• 2322 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington — $1,795,900 — 4,758 sq. ft.
• 5509 32nd Street N., Arlington — $2,199,000 — 6,228 sq. ft.

Want to learn more about financing a New Home build? McLean Mortgage (NMLS ID: 99665) can handle all of your construction financing needs. You can build your new home with as little as 5% down. Contact construction loan expert Troy Toureau (NMLS ID: 5618) at 301-440-4261 or AnyHomeLoans.com to learn more.

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities…

Deconstruction vs Demolition

What is the difference between Deconstruction and Demolition?

When a home is demolished the waste is simply torn down and then hauled away to a dump. Deconstruction is when a certified company takes apart the home carefully and attempts to reuse or recycle every part of the home possible.

What are the main benefits of Deconstruction vs Demolition?

• Reduce the environmental impact of the demolition process and reduce the carbon footprint of your new home
• Significant tax benefits in the legal write offs allowed by the federal and state governments
• Mentoring and on-site training by licensed general contractors for non-profit organizations for individuals seeking employment in the construction field who often don’t have access or intro level opportunities

How much of a tax benefit do I receive through the deconstruction process?

There are upfront costs associated with deconstruction that aren’t applicable in a simple demolition, however, the tax benefits can be upwards of $50,000 dollars for a 2000 sq. ft. home (based off of a 38-40% tax bracket).

While it may cost $25,000 to deconstruct, if you save $50,000 on your taxes your net is approximately $25,000 in savings overall. This doesn’t include the positive environmental and social benefits either!

If you have any questions about deconstruction and some local companies that work within this field please email us at [email protected].

Here are some new homes now on the market in Arlington:

• 2105 N. Emerson Street, Arlington — $1,200,000 — 3,588 sq. ft.
• 4024 20th Street N., Arlington — $1,995,000 — 5,782 sq. ft.
• 3207 N. Trinidad Street, Arlington — $2,098,000 — 7,250 q. ft.
• 5509 32nd Street N., Arlington — $2,199,000 — 6,228 sq. ft.
• 1403 N. Highland Street, Arlington — $2,449,000 — 5,165 sq. ft.

Want to learn more about financing a New Home build? McLean Mortgage (NMLS ID: 99665) can handle all of your construction financing needs. You can build your new home with as little as 5% down. Contact construction loan expert Troy Toureau (NMLS ID: 5618) at 301-440-4261 or AnyHomeLoans.com to learn more.

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities…

Deciding to build your own custom home does not need to be scary, nor does it have to be stressful. However, it does mean you will have to make a ton of decisions from insulation type to lighting fixtures, door trim, and dozens of other areas. That is why finding the 3 “R” are critical to success and happiness when building a new home.

Right Builder, Right Time, Right Lot.

Meet the Lender: Andrew Siddon of George Mason Mortgage

What are some of the key differences between a construction to permanent loan versus a traditional conventional loan?

Construction loans typically require a higher credit score and down payment than a conventional loan. George Mason Mortgage does offer a one-time close construction loan with a 10.1% down payment. Conventional loans are available with no down payment.

What are some closing cost differences in Construction to Perm vs. Conventional?

Construction loans typically carry higher closing costs compared to conventional financing. The increased closing costs are associated with the lender, title company and county.

How long does the construction loan typically last? If it expires and the construction is not completed what happens?

Typically, construction loans provide a 12 month construction period. Should the construction period exceed the 12 month construction period, extension fees may apply.

How does the construction loan fund to the builder?

Once a predetermined level of progress is made, the builder will request a draw from the lender. The lender will send out an inspector/appraiser to verify the work has been completed. Once verified, the lender will wire the funds to the builder.

How do interest rates vary from the construction to the permanent loan and is there any principal paid during the construction period?

Most one-time close construction loans provide the same rate during construction as they provide once the construction is completed. During the construction period, the payments are interest only and the client would only pay interest on the funds disbursed at any given time.

Here are some new homes now on the market in Arlington:

• 705 N. Barton Street, Arlington — $1,795,000 — 3,650 sq. ft.
• 2320 N. Vernon Street, Arlington — $1,850,000 — 4,282 sq. ft.
• 3871 30th Street N., Arlington — $2,250,000
• 3116 N. Nelson Street, Arlington — $2,599,333 — 7,136 sq. ft.
• 3516 N. Valley Street, Arlington — $2,799,900 — 7,066 sq. ft.

Three Stones Residential specializes in matching home owners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders that you’d like us to highlight please email us at [email protected].

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities…

Deciding to build your own custom home does not need to be scary, nor does it have to be stressful. However, it does mean you will have to make a ton of decisions from insulation type to lighting fixtures, door trim, and dozens of other areas. That is why finding the 3 “R” are critical to success and happiness when building a new home.

Right Builder, Right Time, Right Lot.

Here are five reasons to build, not buy, your next home:

1. Get What You Want — When you build your own home, you are involved from the ground up, choosing the style, colors, size of your home, the number of bedrooms, etc. to create the home you have been dreaming of.
2. Walk Into Equity — When you are able to find your own lot and hire a custom home builder with an average profit margin, you typically walk into immediate equity in the home once it’s completed.
3. New Home Smell And Warranties — Nothing beats the feeling of driving a car nobody else but you have owned, with that new car smell. The same applies for a house: building a new home typically means less repairs and maintenance which can save both time and money.
4. Green Features — Homes that are more than 10-15 years old did not always have features that took the environment into mind. When you build your own home, green features could be added easily, and with some builders come standard.
5. Location, Location, Location — The most important term in real estate! When looking to build your own home, it is generally easier to find the location or neighborhood you want to live in, and build the home you want.

Without further ado, here are some current options for buying new homes in Arlington:

• 2711 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington — $1,425,000 — 4,807 sq. ft.
• 5420 9th Road N., Arlington — $1,425,000 — 4,860 sq. ft.
• 4339 26th Street N., Arlington — $1,674,900 — 4,607
• 705 N. Barton Street, Arlington — $1,795,000 — 3,650
• 801 N. Daniel Street, Arlington — $1,895,000 — 4,534

Three Stones Residential specializes in matching home owners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders that you’d like us to highlight please email us at [email protected].

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities…

Deciding to build your own custom home does not need to be scary, nor does it have to be stressful. However, it does mean you will have to make a ton of decisions from insulation type to lighting fixtures, door trim, and dozens of other areas. That is why finding the 3 “R” are critical to success and happiness when building a new home.

Right Builder, Right Time, Right Lot. Let’s continue to meet some of the top builders in NOVA with experience building quality homes for clients every year.

Meet The Builder: Paradigm Building Group

Locations We Service: Northern Virginia

What differentiates you from other builders? 

In the competitive construction market Paradigm Building Group’s established systems and processes have provided our clients with an unmatched building experience. We pride ourselves on being client focused because we understand building a good relationship with our clients is just as important as building a great product.

When you choose to work with Paradigm, you get access to our entire team of home experts in a one-stop-shop. By having the Architect, Interior Designer, Project Manager and Owner all working together and willing to go the extra mile for you, you can be sure communication and execution will be improved, ensuring a great end result.

How many homes have you completed in the last 12 months? 

8.

How long have you been building homes and how many people work on your team? 

12 years and a team of 6.

What counties have you built in?

Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Fall Church City, Loudoun, Prince William and Montgomery.

What is the most popular model you build?

We do not adhere to a cookie-cutter business model. Whether the answer is a new custom home or reinventing our clients current home with a Pop Top Addition, we have a diverse portfolio, awarding us a unique skill set and vision to find a building solution that best fits our client’s needs.

A home is meant to be lived in and this is why no matter what type of home design our client needs help with, we focus on how they intend on using the new space so that the end product best fits their lifestyle and we work to build something that is special and unique for them.

Three Stones Residential specializes in matching home owners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders that you’d like us to highlight please email us at [email protected].

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities…

Deciding to build your own custom home does not need to be scary, nor does it have to be stressful. However, it does mean you will have to make a ton of decisions from insulation type to lighting fixtures, door trim, and dozens of other areas. That is why finding the 3 “R” are critical to success and happiness when building a new home.

Right Builder, Right Time, Right Lot. Let’s continue to meet some of the top builders in NOVA with experience building quality homes for clients every year.

Meet The Builder: Matt Rzepkowski of MR Project Management.

What differentiates you from other builders? 

When you build a home with MR, you build a home with me personally. I live in the area and I visit every room of every house every day. We’ve built over one hundred homes in the Arlington, McLean and Falls Church areas, the vast majority of which were built using the same subcontractors with whom we’ve partnered with for over a decade.

Consistency, attention to detail, and personal customer service are the hallmarks of MR.

How many homes have you completed in the last 12 months? 

We built 27 spec and custom homes last year. The business has grown steadily since its inception and we attribute that to providing a great home for our clients and also providing over the top customer service. We have done limited marketing over time and almost all of our custom clients and sales come from existing customer referrals.

How long have you been building homes and how many people work on your team? 

I am a third generation home builder and both my dad and grandfather were custom homebuilders, so at some level I have been building and working in the industry my whole life. After college I worked for a national homebuilder and went through their training program for a couple years before moving over to the custom home side.

Today, the MR team consists of eight people and almost everyone on the team I have known or they have been working with me in some capacity since I started building custom homes fifteen years ago.

What counties have you built in?  

Arlington and Fairfax County, but within Fairfax we really just build in McLean and the Falls Church area. We try to keep all of our projects to about a five mile radius so that we can visit each project multiple times a day and spend most of our time onsite and with clients as opposed to in the truck driving between projects.

What is the most popular model you build?

Everything we build is custom for each individual client and site and we do not have standardized models. However, there are certain design and build concepts that carry through to all of our homes including detailed craftsman trim work, a great kitchen design, spectacular master bedrooms and spa like baths, large rec rooms in the basement and a flex room on the main floor that doubles as a home office, playroom or additional bedroom.

Here are some current homes that MR Project Management has on the market:

• 4933 34th Street N., Arlington — $1,799,000 — 4,677 sq. ft
• 3616 Upland Street, Arlington — $2,495,000 — 6,622 sq. ft.

Three Stones Residential specializes in matching home owners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders that you’d like us to highlight please email us at [email protected].

Welcome to New Homes, a biweekly column highlighting the new construction real estate market, written by Conor Sullivan and Dave Moya of Three Stones Residential at Keller Williams Realty. We are here to share our experience and expertise in lot acquisition, financing and construction of custom homes. 

First, we need to understand who the top builders and influencers are that are reshaping our communities. Meet the builder: Rob Zimmermann of Zimmermann Homes.

What differentiates you from other builders? 

Good quality and green building. All of our homes are held to a high quality control standard for both materials used and workmanship which I think shows when you tour one of our completed homes. We also provide many energy efficient features as a standard including Nest Stats, Tankless Water Heaters, Radiant Reflective Roof Sheathing, Power for 2 electric cars and Anderson 400 series windows.

How many homes have you completed in the last 12 months?  

We completed 6 custom homes in the last year.

How long have you been building homes and how many people work on your team? 

Zimmermann Homes has been in business for 12 years, we have 3 full time employees and some of the best subcontractors in the business.

What counties have you built in?  

Arlington, Fairfax County and the City of Falls Church.

What is the most popular model you build?

The Jackson model which we’ve built multiple times. You can view the completed home here.

Here are some other new homes now on the market in Arlington:

• 2354 N. Quebec Street, Arlington — $1,699,995 — 5,153 sq. ft.
• 4345 26th Street N., Arlington — $1,749,990 — 5,174 sq. ft.
• 4912 34th Road N., Arlington — $1,899,999 — 5,400 sq. ft.
• 2322 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington — $1,925,000 — 4,833 sq. ft.
• 3036 N. Pollard Street N., Arlington — $2,449,000 — 7,146 sq. ft.

Three Stones Residential specializes in matching home owners with the right builder and lot location. If you have any questions about new homes or builders that you’d like us to highlight please email us at [email protected].