PROJECT NOTES

In this episode of Project Notes, I take you behind the scenes of one of the biggest projects I'm building for ESC Homes—an online configuration tool designed to simplify the home-building process in Virginia.

Instead of trying to imagine floor plans from blueprints or making hundreds of decisions after construction begins, buyers will be able to explore home sizes, architectural styles, layouts, options, and upgrades through an interactive online experience before breaking ground.

I discuss why today's new-construction process often feels confusing, how technology can make it more transparent, and what I'm learning as I build a system that helps buyers understand not only what they're choosing, but why those choices matter.

Whether you're considering building a home, work in real estate, or simply enjoy following the intersection of construction and technology, this episode offers an inside look at the future of home buying—and the challenges of creating a smarter way to build.

Project Notes follows the real-world journey of developing homes, businesses, and construction technology from the perspective of a Virginia Class A Builder and real estate broker.

Thank you for listening to Project Notes.

I'm Cheryl Spangler, Virginia Class A Builder, real estate broker, and founder of ESC Homes.

This podcast is where I document the real journey of building homes, building a company, and exploring the ideas, technology, and decisions shaping the future of housing—one project at a time.

Until the next project, keep building better.

IG @cherylspanglerrealestate

IG @eschomesva

FB @liveinoldtown

FB @lifelovescheryl

LI @cherylspangler

https://www.eschomes.com to build your next primary residence or ADU - we focus on raising the standard for small-footprint living

https://www.cherylspanglerteam.com to buy or sell your next home in Northern Virginia

In this episode, Cheryl Spangler breaks down the real story of BOXABL, the viral modular housing company that promised to reinvent homebuilding.

**don't forget I don't edit these so you get them raw that's just the way it is

Founded in 2017, BOXABL captured massive attention with foldable homes, celebrity buzz, and bold claims about speed and affordability. But behind the marketing was a far more complex challenge involving zoning, transportation, capital discipline, manufacturing realities, and the often-ignored problem of integrating housing into real communities.

This episode explores:

1. Why modular housing is harder to scale than it looks
2. How early decisions created long-term constraints
3. The difference between building a product and making it livable
4. What builders, investors, and real estate professionals should learn before chasing speed

If you’re interested in housing innovation, modular construction, real estate development, or startup case studies, this episode offers a grounded, practical look at what actually determines success.

#RealEstateTruth #HousingInnovation #ModularHousing #BuilderLessons #CapitalDiscipline

Instagram: @cherylspanglerrealestate

On the web: https://www.cherylspanglerteam.com/podcast

Send me an email and say "hi" [email protected]

visit my Youtube: https://www.youtube.com.com/@goodsideofrealestate

...ask me why I did this episode

Accessory Dwelling Units aren’t a trend — they’re a structural shift in how housing, wealth, and affordability actually work.

In this on-the-road mini Project Notes episode, Cheryl Spangler breaks down what an ADU really is (and what it’s not), why Virginia is aggressively pushing new ADU laws, and how homeowners, renters, lenders, and even the state itself quietly benefit.

You’ll learn:

1. Why an ADU is legally one unit — and why that definition matters
2. How homeowners can add cash flow without selling or moving
3. Why ADUs solve aging-parent housing without sacrificing independence
4. How renters get private, affordable, single-family living again
5. The real reason the state wants homeowners building housing for them
6. Why Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac financing in 2026 changes everything
7. The surprising size limits that make ADUs real homes, not “tiny houses”

This episode connects the dots most people miss — and explains why ADUs may be the most powerful real-estate flex of the next decade.

If this episode sparked a question, a new idea, or a different way of thinking about your property, I’d love to hear it.

This conversation is just getting started.

— Cheryl Spangler

IG: @cherylspanglerrealestate

If you waited for certainty in 2025, you lost.

In Episode 1 of Project Notes, Cheryl Spangler pulls back the curtain on what it really looks like to build businesses and manage projects while everything is in motion. This is an unedited, unscripted breakdown of the lessons that shaped her work in 2025—and the systems, decisions, and mindset she’s carrying into 2026.

1. How she more than doubled her business from ~$8M to ~$19M in one year
2. Why contractor quality only reveals itself in a tough market
3. The counterintuitive strategy of waiving commissions—and how it creates leverage
4. How AI replaced low-value tasks and freed time for high-impact work
5. Why most teams don’t need more people—they need better systems
6. How useless meetings and networking quietly drain time and capital
7. Why fear is often the final barrier before real progress

1. No scripts, no polish, no hindsight storytelling
2. Real projects, real decisions, real consequences
3. Lessons shared while the work is still happening—not years later

Each episode delivers weekly, real-time notes from active projects—across real estate, business, systems, and strategy—focused on solving real-world problems as they arise.

If you’re building something and don’t want motivation or theory—just honest insight from the trenches—you’re in the right place.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

Connect with Cheryl on social and follow along as the work unfolds.

This Thanksgiving episode marks a turning point for Life in Northern Virginia. Cheryl shares the real story behind her evolution from real estate agent to builder, problem solver, and entrepreneur who refuses to accept limitations—especially the ones other people try to place on her.

If you’ve ever been told you can’t do that, if you’ve ever doubted your own abilities, or if you’re an entrepreneur surrounded by people who don’t see your potential, this episode will hit home. Cheryl breaks down the mindset shift that changed her life, the unexpected moment that launched her renovation and investing career, and why cutting out the “you can’t” voices might be the only way you grow.

This episode is motivation, truth-telling, and a wake-up call to anyone who knows they’re meant for more but hasn’t dared to pursue it yet.

https://www.instagram.com/cherylspanglerrealestate

https://www.facebook/com/liveinoldtown

https://www.twitter.com/cherylshowlive

https://www.cherylspanglerteam.com

email me: [email protected]

#LifeInNorthernVirginia, #CherylSpangler, #EntrepreneurMindset, #NoLimits, #BusinessGrowth, #NorthernVirginiaBusiness, #MindsetShift, #EntrepreneurLife, #MotivationForEntrepreneurs, #BreakTheMold

Most people drive past acres of “nothing” every day — developers see opportunity.

In this episode, Cheryl Spangler, real estate broker and land development expert, reveals how top developers secretly identify prime land before it ever hits the market. From decoding zoning maps to understanding growth corridors and reading between the lines of county planning meetings, Cheryl exposes the insider playbook that separates the pros from the dreamers.

You’ll learn:

1. Why the “perfect” lot might actually be a trap.
2. How to find hidden parcels near future growth zones.
3. The data tools and government resources developers use every week.
4. How to tap into the local “whisper network” and uncover off-market land opportunities.
5. A step-by-step checklist to evaluate any piece of land like a developer.
6. 
   

Cheryl makes it funny, relatable, and 100% practical — whether you’re a new investor, an agent ready to level up, or someone dreaming about buying land and building your future.

Tune in, take notes, and start seeing land the way developers do.

Connect with Cheryl:

🌐 www.cherylspanglerteam.com

📸 Instagram: @cherylspanglerrealestate

📘 Facebook: Cheryl Spangler Real Estate

🎥 YouTube: Good Side of Real Estate

🎙 Podcasts: Life in Northern Virginia: The Truth Room

🐦 Twitter/X: @cherylshowlive

In this eye-opening episode, Cheryl Spangler exposes the shocking truth behind one Virginia homeowner association that failed to protect its own community. What started as a simple townhome purchase turned into a discovery of animal cruelty, sewage backup, and dangerous living conditions—while the HOA focused instead on enforcing exterior paint colors.

Cheryl dives deep into how HOAs are supposed to operate under Virginia law, where they often go wrong, and what every homeowner or buyer should do before trusting an association to safeguard their investment. This isn’t just a story about one property—it’s a warning for anyone living under the watch of an HOA.

If you’ve ever wondered who’s really protecting your neighborhood, this episode will make you think twice.

Connect with Cheryl:

📧 [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @cherylspanglerrealestate

📘 Facebook: @liveinoldtown

💼 LinkedIn: cherylspangler

🐦 Twitter/X: @cherylshowlive

“This week I closed on 55 acres for a family that wanted each child to have their own piece of land. We collaborated to sketch a few options of how this subdivision would look, The buyer wanted to set up a trust so the father could deed each parcel to his kids. It was such a creative, fun process—and now, instead of just owning land, they’re building a family compound.”

“If you’ve got land and you’re wondering what’s possible, you’d be surprised at the creative ways you can plan for the future. Follow me for more real estate strategies that protect family and legacy.”

Lastly I mention here that a family compound could just be a home you already have and adding an ADU (accessory Dwelling Unit)

Say Hi, comment or follow me

IG @cherylspanglerrealestate

YT @goodsideofrealestate

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FB @liveinoldtown

EMAIL: [email protected]

💧 Public or Private Water & Sewer? It’s Not What You Think! 💧

Think you know whether your property is on public or private water and sewer? 🤔 It’s not always as obvious as it seems! In this episode, we uncover the surprising ways to determine if your home relies on a municipal system or a private well and septic—and why it matters.

We’ll discuss:

✅ How to verify your water & sewer source (Hint: It’s not just about location!)

✅ The pros and cons of public vs. private systems

✅ Why lenders, homebuyers, and sellers need to know this information

✅ Common misconceptions and surprises homeowners face

Don’t assume—get the facts! Tune in to make sure you know what’s flowing beneath your property. 🚰🏡

🎧 Listen now! #Homeownership #RealEstate #WaterAndSewer #PrivateVsPublic

Connect with me on IG @cherylspanglerrealestate, FB @liveinoldtown, YT @goodsideofrealestate

🚧 Understanding Road Maintenance Agreements in Virginia 🚧

In this episode, we dive into the importance of Road Maintenance Agreements (RMAs) for private roads in Virginia. Whether you're a homeowner, buyer, or real estate professional, knowing how these agreements work can impact property values, financing options (including VA and conventional loans), and overall road upkeep.

We cover:

✅ What a Road Maintenance Agreement is and why it matters

✅ How RMAs affect mortgage approvals (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, VA Loans)

✅ Who is responsible for road repairs and costs

✅ Tips for creating a simple, legally sound agreement

Tune in to learn how to protect your property investment and ensure smooth access to your home! 🏡💡

NOTE: VA Loans are privately funded and DO NOT care, Freddie mac loans do NOT care, Fannie Mae DOES care.

🎧 Listen now! #RealEstate #Virginia #PrivateRoads #Homeownership