This blog series chronicles the step by step process of building a custom home. I thought it would be helpful to blog about the process from start to finish.
First up – you need to find a place to build. Finding a lot in northern Virginia is not easy. I’ve written on this blog several times about how difficult it is to find a lot; I’ve given my advice and what to look for in a lot. Overall inventory is always a challenge which makes every tear down opportunity in the area highly competitive. You have to know what you’re doing.
So what is my advice on finding a lot?
#1 – Identify where you want to build.
This might seem obvious but it’s also important to know where to focus your efforts. When Paul and I built our home, we had narrowed down potential neighborhoods to basically a few blocks. Quite limiting but we knew exactly where we wanted to live (and patient we were!). If you’re more flexible than that, make sure you at least know what school system you want to be in (important even if you don’t have school aged children) and what attributes you want for your neighborhood (sidewalks? walk-ability? etc.).
#2 – Find a good realtor so you can act fast.
Finding a good realtor will allow you to get the most up to date information on lots and tear downs as they come on the market. Our real estate firm, New Dimensions Realty Group, can help!
Purchasing land is different from buying an existing home. You’ll need to consider zoning regulations, utilities, grading, setbacks, soil conditions, and how the home will ultimately sit on the property. Our team understands both the real estate side and the custom building process, so we help you evaluate each lot not just for today — but for what it can become.
#3 – Establish your price.
You need to figure out what you are willing to spend on the land. Not what you want to spend – what you’re willing to spend. Many of these tear downs get into bidding wars so in many cases, you have to be prepared to exceed the asking price. Understanding what your threshold is will make the bidding process so much easier. I’m not saying you have to go in at the top of your budget if the asking is under that. But I do think you should consider what you would be willing to pay if there is a bidding war. Or if you only had one chance to bid, what would that bid be and would you be OK if it wasn’t accepted. Either way, the goal is be content, whether you get the lot, or if you don’t, you know you didn’t leave anything on the table.
What leads to success in buying a lot?
Several factors play into finding the perfect lot, but it all leads to what you can actually do with the lot. Can you build the home you’ve always dreamed about? Is it in the right location? And more importantly, do you know what’s involved in building on the lot. This is the key and why it is SO important to partner with a team who know the process from start (finding the lot) to finish (completing your dream home).
Let us know show how we can walk you through each step to land you and your family into the home of your dreams!
Dream. Build. Live.
Updated February 2026