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Over the last 100 days Blake Davenport published the most comprehensive new construction video series in Arlington, Virginia, covering everything from financing and builder selection to design center strategy, negotiation, and what to look for on a walkthrough. Our team has walked through hundreds of new construction homes in North Arlington, McLean, and Falls Church City. The questions below are the ones we get asked most. Where relevant we have linked to the exact video that covers each topic in depth.
If you have a question that is not answered here, text us directly at 703-350-8800
What is the price range for new construction homes in Arlington, VA?
Most new construction in North Arlington falls between $1.8 million and $3.5 million depending on the neighborhood, lot size, builder, and finish level. In areas like Westover, Yorktown, and Williamsburg you are typically looking at $2 million to $2.8 million. In Country Club Hills and Bellevue Forest the range pushes toward $3 million and above. McLean, which borders Arlington and shares many of the same builders, runs $2.5 million to $5 million. If your budget is below $1.8 million, you will find more options in Falls Church City and parts of South Arlington.
Watch: Day 51 — What actually drives home value in Arlington
Watch: Day 52 — North Arlington vs South Arlington: what the data actually shows
What does new construction in North Arlington actually look like right now?
The market is active but selective. Homes that are priced correctly and delivered on time are not sitting. Buyers in the $2 to $3 million range are sophisticated. They have done their research and they know the market. If a builder is pricing a home at a premium that is not justified by the product or the location, we are seeing it sit. The neighborhoods with the strongest consistent demand are Westover, Yorktown, Williamsburg, and the school clusters in North Arlington. McLean’s Chesterbrook area is also very active for families who want larger lots.
Watch: Day 54 — Walkability and what it actually costs in Arlington
Watch: Day 55 — Privacy: why lot positioning matters more than fencing
Who are the best builders in Arlington, VA?
Most new construction in Arlington is not built by large national developers. It is built by smaller local builders who buy individual lots, tear down older homes, and build one or two homes at a time. After walking through hundreds of homes, the builders we trust most are the ones who are transparent about their materials, willing to show us the mechanical room without being asked, and who have a track record of delivering on time. We are happy to share our honest opinion on specific builders when we sit down. It is one of the most valuable conversations we have before you go under contract.
Watch: Day 2 — Why new does not always mean better
Watch: Day 48 — Where builders quietly cut costs
How do I evaluate build quality on a new construction home?
Most buyers walk into a new construction home and admire the finishes. Here is what we actually look at. First, the mechanical room: the quality of the HVAC unit, water heater, and electrical panel tells us immediately what kind of builder this is. Second, the framing: door reveals, ceiling heights, and window installation that is not perfectly even are signs of rushed construction. Third, the lot and drainage: how does water move across the property when it rains? A beautiful home with poor drainage will have problems. Fourth, the detail work: grout lines, trim, and outlet placement. These are where builders cut corners when they are rushing.
Watch: Day 4 — What to notice before you ever look at finishes
Watch: Day 48 — Where builders quietly cut costs
What should I look for on a new construction final walkthrough?
The final walkthrough, sometimes called the blue tape walkthrough, is your last chance to identify anything that is not complete or is not right before you hand over your money. Go in with a detailed checklist. Test every outlet. Run every faucet. Open and close every door and window. Check every appliance. Take video of everything. Anything you identify at this walkthrough should be documented in writing and agreed upon with the builder before you close. Do not feel rushed. This is your home and you are entitled to have everything done correctly.
Watch: Day 10 — How we protect buyers early in the new construction process
Is new construction better than buying a renovated home in Arlington?
It depends on what you value most. New construction gives you modern layouts, warranties, energy efficiency, and the ability to customize finishes. A renovated older home gives you character, established neighborhoods, and sometimes better lot sizes at a lower price point. The clients who are happiest with new construction are the ones who do not want to renovate, are making a long-term play of seven or more years, and want to be in a specific school cluster where new construction is concentrated. The clients who are happiest with resale are the ones who love the craftsman bungalow character of Lyon Park or the established feel of older Arlington neighborhoods.
Watch: Day 7 — New construction vs older homes: how to think about the tradeoffs
How do I evaluate finishes in a new construction home?
Finishes are the last layer of a home, not the foundation. You can change cabinets, tile, and lighting after closing. You cannot change ceiling height, window placement, or layout without a major renovation. When we walk through a new construction home, we are paying attention to whether the builder spent money where it matters most: insulation, subfloor, windows, and mechanical systems. Beautiful finishes on top of a weak build is a common pattern in Arlington new construction.
Watch: Day 4 — What to notice before you ever look at finishes
Watch: Day 9 — What makes a new construction home actually feel custom
Watch: Day 48 — Where builders quietly cut costs
What should I know about flooring in a new construction home?
Flooring choices affect how a home feels and how it ages. Engineered hardwood is more common in new construction than solid hardwood because it handles humidity and wide planks better. Wider and longer planks cost more but make a home feel more custom and elevated, especially in open floor plans with higher ceilings. Matte and wire-brushed finishes are far more forgiving for families with kids and pets than glossy surfaces. Light floors are popular right now and hide daily mess better, but the finish quality matters just as much as the color.
Watch: Day 14 — Light vs dark floors: which actually holds up
Watch: Day 27 — Hardwood vs engineered wood: what to choose and why
Watch: Day 28 — Does floor width actually matter?
Watch: Day 29 — Should flooring match on every level of the house?
What should I know about kitchens in a new construction home?
The kitchen is where builders make a lot of their margin, and it is also where buyers tend to overfocus on finishes at the expense of function. Layout matters more than countertops. The relationship between the sink, stove, and refrigerator determines how the kitchen works every day. Sightlines matter too: where you are standing when you cook affects how connected you feel to the rest of the home. Appliance brands, cabinet quality, hardware, backsplash, and island size all factor in, but none of them fix a kitchen with poor flow.
Watch: Day 19 — Kitchen islands: what actually matters beyond size
Watch: Day 20 — Kitchen layout vs kitchen finishes: which one wins
Watch: Day 22 — Quartz vs natural stone countertops: what holds up in real life
Watch: Day 24 — Backsplashes: what they signal about a builder
Watch: Day 26 — Cabinets: how to spot where a builder spent and where they saved
Watch: Day 42 — Kitchen sightlines: the detail most buyers miss
What should I know about bathrooms in a new construction home?
Bathrooms in Arlington new construction can look very similar from home to home. The details that differentiate them are tile height, finish quality, lighting, and how the layout serves daily routines. Matte tile ages better than glossy in high-use bathrooms. Large-format tile signals higher build quality when installed correctly. Overhead-only lighting is a common shortcut that makes daily routines harder. And freestanding tubs photograph beautifully but are worth thinking hard about before committing the square footage.
Watch: Day 15 — Bathroom lighting: why it matters more than most buyers expect
Watch: Day 31 — Large-format tile vs small tile: what the difference signals
Watch: Day 32 — Matte vs glossy tile: which holds up in a real bathroom
Watch: Day 33 — Freestanding tubs: are you actually going to use it?
What layout details matter most in a new construction home?
Layout is what you feel every day after the excitement of finishes wears off. The things that matter most are ceiling height, staircase placement, hallway width, how noise moves between floors, bedroom separation, and whether the home has real storage beyond bedroom closets. These are the details buyers most commonly wish they had paid closer attention to before they went under contract.
Watch: Day 5 — Why layout matters more than square footage
Watch: Day 6 — What families underestimate most about new construction
Watch: Day 37 — Staircase location and how it affects daily flow
Watch: Day 38 — Noise separation: the most overlooked detail in new construction
Watch: Day 40 — Hallway width: why six inches changes how a home lives
Watch: Day 41 — Open concept vs defined rooms: this trend is starting to age
Watch: Day 43 — Bedroom placement and privacy: what only becomes obvious after move-in
Watch: Day 45 — Storage beyond closets: where new builds quietly fall short
Watch: Day 47 — Ceiling height: the detail that has a massive impact on value
How does financing work on a new construction home in Arlington?
Financing a new construction home is not the same as financing a resale. If you go in thinking it is, it could cost you. With a resale you find the home, lock a rate, and close. With new construction your home might not be ready for 10 to 14 months. Your lender cannot lock your rate today. You are floating in the market the entire time you are waiting, and on a $2.5 million home, a half-point rate move is the difference between a payment you are comfortable with and one you are not.
Watch: Day 80 — How financing works on a new construction home (Video Coming Soon)
Should I use the builder’s preferred lender?
Not without comparing first. Builders offer real incentives to use their preferred lender: closing cost credits, rate buydowns, free upgrades. Sometimes it is a genuinely great deal. But we have seen builder lenders run a quarter to a half point higher in rate than what our clients could get elsewhere. On a $2 million loan that is $300 to $500 more every single month. Our rule: always get a full quote from an outside lender before you accept any builder incentive. One phone call can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.
Watch: Day 81 — The builder’s preferred lender: when to use it and when to walk away (video Coming Soon)
What happens to my mortgage rate while the home is being built?
Most lenders cannot lock your rate until you are 60 to 90 days from closing. If your home will not be ready for 12 months, you are floating in the market the entire time. Rates go up and your payment goes up. There are two tools worth knowing about: the extended rate lock, which lets you lock a rate further out for a fee, and the float-down option, which locks your rate but lets you capture a lower rate if they fall before closing. Ask your lender about both before you go under contract.
Watch: Day 82 — What happens to your mortgage rate while your new construction home is being built (Video Coming Soon)
Can I negotiate the price on a new construction home in Arlington?
Yes, and this is something most buyers do not realize. Because most Arlington builders are small operators rather than large developers, they do not have a community of comparable sales to protect. Everything is negotiable: the base price, closing cost credits, design center upgrades, and closing timeline. Your leverage increases significantly the further along the home is in the build. If the home is already complete and sitting on the market, the builder has carrying costs eating into their profit every day. That is when you have the most power. If the lot has not even been cleared yet, the builder has time and options, and your leverage is lower.
Watch: Day 86 — How to actually negotiate with a builder in Arlington (Video Coming Soon)
What can I actually negotiate on, and what is truly fixed?
Builders rarely cut the base price because it affects comparable sales in the area. But incentives are a completely different conversation. Closing cost credits, rate buydowns, free design center upgrades, and extended warranties are all negotiable, especially at the end of a quarter when builders are under pressure to close a certain number of homes. March, June, September, and December are your best windows. We have negotiated $50,000 to $80,000 in combined incentives on homes in Arlington without touching the base price once.
Watch: Day 86 — How to actually negotiate with a builder in Arlington (Video Coming Soon)
What is the design center and how much should I budget for it?
The design center is where you select finishes, upgrades, and options for your new construction home after going under contract. It is one of the most exciting parts of the process, and one of the most expensive if you are not prepared. Builders make a significant portion of their margin at the design center. Our rule: spend no more than 5 to 8 percent of the base home price there. On a $2 million home that is $100,000 to $160,000. Always prioritize structural upgrades — finished basement, extra bedroom, garage extensions — over finish upgrades like flooring and countertops. You can change finishes after closing, often for less money. You cannot change structure without a major renovation.
How long does it take to build a new construction home in Arlington?
Most new construction homes in Arlington take 10 to 14 months from contract signing to closing. This varies depending on the builder, how far along the home is when you go under contract, and whether there are any permitting or supply delays. Some builders work faster, closer to 8 months, and some run longer. We always tell clients to build a buffer into their plans and not count on a specific closing date until the builder has confirmed a certificate of occupancy.
Watch: Day 10 — How we protect buyers early and set realistic expectations
Is right now a good time to buy new construction in Arlington?
Here is our honest answer. If you are financially ready, you are planning to stay in Arlington for 7 or more years, and you have found the right home in the right school district: yes. The moment rates drop significantly, every buyer who has been sitting on the sidelines floods back into the market. Demand spikes, inventory gets absorbed, and prices go up. You may end up paying more for the same home at a lower rate. Arlington new construction has appreciated consistently for 15 years because supply is constrained and demand from DC professionals is consistent. The clients who have done best here are the ones who bought when they were ready, not when they thought the market was perfect. That said, if your financial situation is not stable or you are not sure you are staying, wait. New construction is a long game and it rewards the prepared buyer, not the perfectly timed one.
Watch: Day 85 — Is right now actually a good time to buy new construction in Arlington? (Video Coming Soon)
Who is new construction actually right for?
New construction is ideal for buyers who want modern finishes and do not want to renovate. For families who want to be in a specific school district and want a home they can grow into. For buyers who are making a long-term play, planning to be in the home 7 or more years. For people who value the warranty and the peace of mind of knowing everything is new. It is not right for buyers who need to be in a home in 60 days, who love the character of older homes, or who are buying at the absolute top of their budget with no cushion for design center spending.
Watch: Day 91 — Should you buy new construction? The honest answer (Video Coming Soon)
How much does location affect new construction value in Arlington?
More than almost any other factor. In Arlington, the land drives the price more than the finishes do. Two homes with the same floor plan and finish level can sell for several hundred thousand dollars apart based on street, school boundary, walkability, and lot width. Buyers who focus entirely on the house and overlook the location often end up frustrated at resale.
Watch: Day 51 — What actually drives home value in Arlington
Watch: Day 52 — North Arlington vs South Arlington
Watch: Day 53 — Lot size: bigger is not always better
Watch: Day 54 — Walkability and what it costs in Arlington
What should I know about lots and land before buying new construction?
Lot width shapes the entire floor plan. Lot slope determines whether you get a bright walkout basement or a dark closed-in one. Drainage affects what happens the first time it rains hard. Setbacks determine how much of the lot the builder can actually build on. And neighboring lots matter because what is there today may not be there in three years. In Arlington, teardowns are common and the house next door can change significantly after you move in.
Watch: Day 34 — Neighboring lots and teardowns: what could be built next to you
Watch: Day 53 — Lot size: usable space matters more than raw numbers
Watch: Day 57 — Setbacks: the zoning rule that quietly shapes every house in Arlington (Video Coming Soon)
Watch: Day 58 — Lot width and how it changes the entire floor plan (Video Coming Soon)
Watch: Day 59 — Lot slope and why it can create the best basements in Arlington (Video Coming Soon)
Watch: Day 65 — Drainage: the detail most buyers do not notice until after move-in (Video Coming Soon)
How do we sell our current home and buy new construction at the same time?
The good news is that new construction actually makes this easier than a resale purchase. When you sign a contract on a new build, you typically have 10 to 14 months before you close. That is your runway. Use it strategically: list your current home 60 to 90 days before your new construction closes, not the day you go under contract. This lets you sell at the right time instead of a desperate one. We also use rent-back agreements frequently. You sell your current home but negotiate the right to stay in it as a renter for 30 to 90 days after closing, which bridges the gap to your new construction closing perfectly.
Watch: Day 83 — Selling your current home while buying new construction: how to time it (Video Coming Soon)
Should I sell my current home or rent it out when I buy new construction?
This is one of the most important financial decisions in the process. Here is how we run the analysis. On the rent side: what does the home actually rent for, minus property management fees, leasing fees, vacancy, and repairs? Most people think if the rent covers the mortgage they are making money. They are often not. Once you factor all real expenses, a $500 monthly profit frequently becomes break-even or negative by year end. On the sell side: what does your equity do if you invest it elsewhere? We also factor in rent appreciation over time, home appreciation, and the depreciation write-off on your taxes. Run both sides honestly before you decide. Most people only run one.
Watch: Day 84 — Should you sell your home or rent it out when buying new construction? (Video Coming Soon)
What warranties come with a new construction home in Arlington?
Not every builder in Arlington offers the same warranty, and this is one of the most important questions to ask before you go under contract. When a warranty is offered, it typically comes in three tiers. One year on workmanship: paint, trim, doors, and windows. Two years on mechanical systems: electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. Ten years on structural defects: foundation and framing. The ten-year structural warranty is the most important one. Make sure it is in writing before you close. Read the full warranty document carefully. Normal wear and tear is not covered, and modifications you make after closing can void portions of the warranty. Ask us what we know about how your specific builder handles warranty claims. Builder reputation on this varies significantly in the Arlington market.
Watch: Day 88 — New construction warranties: what is covered and what to watch out for (Video Coming Soon)
What should we expect in the first year of owning a new construction home?
New construction homes settle. The lumber dries and contracts. You will see nail pops in the drywall. Small cracks at doorframes and corners. Doors that closed perfectly at move-in may need adjustment by month six. This is all normal. Document everything and report it to your builder before your one-year workmanship warranty expires. Also plan for landscaping taking a full growing season to establish and budget for window treatments, furniture, and lighting upgrades that are not included in the build. The buyers who are least stressed in year one are the ones who knew what was coming.
Watch: Day 90 — Your first year in a new construction home: what nobody tells you (Video Coming Soon)
Do I need a real estate agent to buy new construction in Arlington?
Yes, and it costs you nothing. In almost every new construction transaction in Arlington, the builder pays your agent’s commission. The builder’s sales agent works for the builder. They are paid to sell you the home at the highest price with the most upgrades. Having our team in your corner costs you nothing and gives you someone whose job is to protect your interests, negotiate on your behalf, and tell you honestly when a home is not worth the price.
Watch: Day 1 — Why we created the 100-day new construction series
Watch: Day 10 — How we protect buyers early in the new construction process
What are the biggest mistakes new construction buyers make in Arlington?
Skipping independent representation. Overspending at the design center. Not reading the contract carefully. New construction contracts favor the builder on deposit structures, delay clauses, and change order policies. And not doing the 11-month inspection. We have watched buyers make every one of these mistakes. The good news is they are all completely avoidable with the right preparation and the right team.
Watch: Day 3 — The biggest mistake move-up buyers make
Watch: Day 49 — Where buyers overspend on upgrades
How is the Davenport Group different from other agents when it comes to new construction?
We have spent years walking through new construction homes in Arlington: hundreds of walkthroughs, dozens of builders, every neighborhood. Blake filmed 100 consecutive days of content about this process because we believe the best clients are the most informed ones. We know which builders cut corners and which ones do not. We know which neighborhoods are going to appreciate and which lots have drainage issues. We know how to negotiate with builders because we understand their timelines and their pressure points. And we will give you our honest opinion even when it costs us a deal. Our job is not to sell you a home. It is to help you make the right decision. If that is what you are looking for, text us directly.
Watch: Day 1 — Why we created the 100-day new construction series
Watch: Day 100 — What we have learned after 100 days (video coming soon)