New Year, New Home: Why 2026 is Your Year to Build Custom in Richmond
There's something powerful about a new year. It's a blank page, an invitation to dream bigger and finally pursue those goals that have been waiting in the wings. And for many Central Virginia families, one resolution rises above the rest:
This is the year we build our dream home.
If you've been scrolling through listings, attending open houses, or simply imagining what it would feel like to live in a home designed around your life—not someone else's—2026 might be the perfect time to make that vision a reality. Here's why.
Richmond's Housing Market: Why Waiting Isn't Working
Let's talk about what's happening in Richmond's real estate market—because understanding the landscape is the first step toward making a smart decision.
Richmond has been named one of the hottest housing markets in the country for 2025 and into 2026, and the numbers tell the story. Median home prices have climbed to around $400,000—a nearly 50% increase since 2020. Inventory remains critically low, with only about 1.8 months of housing supply (a balanced market typically has 4-6 months). Homes that do hit the market are selling fast, often at or above asking price.
For buyers, this means competing in bidding wars, waiving inspections, and often settling for homes that don't quite fit. According to the Richmond Association of Realtors, the income needed to afford a median-priced home in the metro area has doubled in just four years.
The reality? If you're waiting for the "perfect" existing home to appear at the "perfect" price, you may be waiting a long time. As housing experts have noted, the supply-demand imbalance is expected to persist for at least the next two to three years.
The Custom Home Alternative
Here's the good news: there's another path. Instead of competing for scarce existing homes, more Richmond families are choosing to build custom—and discovering it's more accessible than they thought.
Building a custom home means you get exactly what you want: the layout that works for your family, the finishes that reflect your style, and the features that matter most to you. No outdated kitchens to renovate. No compromising on bedroom count or lot size. No inheriting someone else's deferred maintenance.
And contrary to what many people assume, custom doesn't have to mean expensive. At Keel Custom Homes, our semi-customizable floor plans start at $289,990—competitive with (and often better value than) existing homes in comparable neighborhoods when you factor in the cost of updates and repairs that older homes often require.
Why 2026 is the Year to Start
Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing
After the volatility of recent years, mortgage rates have begun to stabilize. Industry forecasts suggest rates could continue to ease through 2026. But here's what savvy buyers understand: if rates drop significantly, demand will surge, driving prices even higher. Locking in now—and refinancing later if rates improve—puts you in a stronger position than waiting on the sidelines.
Winter is Prime Planning Season
The months of January and February are ideal for laying the groundwork for your custom home. While spring and summer are peak construction seasons, winter is when the smart planning happens. This is the time to secure financing, select your lot or land, choose your floor plan, and work through design decisions—so when the weather warms, you're ready to break ground.
Richmond's Growth Isn't Slowing Down
Richmond continues to attract new residents from Northern Virginia, D.C., and beyond—drawn by our lower cost of living, strong job market, and quality of life. That population growth means continued pressure on housing prices. Building now means building equity in a market with strong fundamentals.
What Does "Building on Your Lot" Mean?
At Keel Custom Homes, we specialize in "On Your Lot" (OYL) building. This means you can bring us land you already own, purchase a lot in one of our established communities, or find the perfect property anywhere in Central Virginia—and we'll build your custom home there.
This approach offers flexibility that production builders simply can't match. Want acreage in Goochland? A wooded lot in Powhatan? An infill site in a walkable Richmond neighborhood? We can work with you to make it happen.
Our communities—including Summer Lake in Chesterfield, Tarrington, and Maple Grove—offer move-in-ready homesites for families who want the custom experience without the land search.
Floor Plans for Every Lifestyle
Whether you're a first-time buyer, growing family, or looking to downsize without sacrificing quality, we have a plan that fits:
Starter & Single-Story Living: The Seabrook (from $289,990), Sullivan (from $309,990), and Monterey (from $319,990) offer 3-bed, 2-bath layouts perfect for smaller families or those seeking one-level living.
Growing Families: The Castlewood (from $429,990) and Tybee (from $409,990) provide 4 bedrooms and flexible spaces that grow with your family.
Room to Spread Out: The Havelock (from $485,990), Huntington (from $519,990), and Sanibel (from $569,990) offer 5-6 bedrooms and 3,000+ square feet for families who need space.
Every plan is semi-customizable—meaning you start with a thoughtfully designed base and adjust it to fit your needs. Add a screened porch. Expand the primary suite. Upgrade finishes. This is your home, built your way.
The Keel Difference: Steady Through Changing Waters
Our name comes from the keel of a boat—the steadying structure that keeps everything balanced and moving smoothly, even when the waters get rough. That's exactly what we bring to the homebuilding process.
At Keel Custom Homes, we believe a home should be built with as much care as the life it will hold. We approach every project as a guided partnership: clear, honest, and steady from the first conversation through move-in day. With decades of combined experience, our role is to simplify the process, advocate for you at every step, and create a home that feels unmistakably yours.
Home is personal. We are honored to help families shape the place where life unfolds.
Make 2026 the Year You Build
If "build our dream home" has been on your wish list for years, let this be the year it moves from dream to blueprint to reality. The market conditions, the timing, the opportunity—it's all here.