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What does it really take to build a custom home from the ground up in Northern Virginia? In this episode of Real Estate Explained, Nick Bush and Glendon Grose sit down with Andrew Hall, Partner and Project Manager at Alair Homes, to unpack the full journey of designing, budgeting, and building an 8,000-square-foot dream home in Arlington.

Andrew shares insider insights on the realities of custom construction — from planning and pricing to project management and client communication. You’ll hear about the hidden costs, common mistakes, and smart design choices that make a home functional, timeless, and truly your own.

💡 In this episode:

• The real cost of building a custom home (and what drives it up)
• How to balance design dreams with your budget
• Managing change orders, allowances, and upgrades
• Why decisiveness is a builder’s best friend
• Home automation, big windows, and 2025 building trends
• How construction-to-perm financing actually works
 • The difference between custom, spec, and renovation projects
• What makes a great project manager (and how to work with one)

Whether you’re dreaming of your forever home or just curious about what goes into a ground-up build, this episode pulls back the curtain on the entire process — from blueprint to move-in day.

🎧 Listen now for real stories, real lessons, and real advice for anyone thinking about building custom.

Podcast Intro 

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