As Lake Anna begins its annual reawakening, the shift is unmistakable. Spring at the lake has always carried a sense of renewal; but this year, that energy feels especially tied to something rising just as quickly as the temperatures: new construction.

With the Lake Anna Home Tour approaching on March 7th, conversations around the community are inspired by the fresh trends of new construction all around.

Homeowners, buyers, and curious visitors are not only eager to step inside some of the area’s most beautiful homes but are increasingly fascinated by what’s shaping the next generation of lake living.

For me, the heightened interest each spring is hardly surprising… real estate agents and consumers alike look forward to the fresh inventory of the spring market every year, which sets the stage for not only a new batch of market comparable values, but also expectations and presentations of these homes. And, I think what we’re seeing now is deeper than seasonal enthusiasm. Buyers are thinking long-term — about design, functionality, and how their homes will serve them for years to come.

As I reflect on both professional insight and personal experience, having navigated the building process with my husband two years ago, I feel that it was a journey that reshaped my perspective in ways I can now share with clients.

We found that there are basically three types of builders: Completely Custom, “Cookie-Cutter”, and Customize-able. For us, a “Customize-able” Builder, America’s Home Place, proved to be the best fit. With more than 80 models to choose from, and the ability to move interior walls, add special features, and truly tailor the design offered the ideal balance. We felt we had predictability and transparency of price, efficiency of process, and still got everything we wanted. That combination, I feel, mirrors what many Lake Anna buyers are seeking: personalization without the uncertainty often associated with fully custom construction.

Few understand that balance better than Greg Gallagher, Builder with America’s Home Place. After more than three decades helping families design and build their homes, Gallagher now finds himself stepping into the role of client as he and his wife, Jennifer, make their own transition from Lake of the Woods to Lake Anna.

“As a home builder for over 30 years, I’ve finally decided to build my own house,” Gallagher says with a huge sense of personal pride. “I have simple taste, but there were several key options I wanted, and others that will just make our every-day lives more functional,” Gallagher continues. “For some reason, I have always wanted a walk-through pantry cabinet,” Gallagher explains his pantry inadequacy angst. “For the primary suite, a large walk-in closet, a fully-tiled shower and a free-standing tub made the short list of our must-haves.” With family in mind, a bonus room for the grandkids is happening, so that they have their own space. With entertaining in mind, the Gallaghers agree that a large kitchen island with upgraded appliances is clutch to the heart of the home. “Those features —thoughtful storage, spa-style baths, and generous gathering spaces — consistently top wish lists of new construction,” according to Gallagher.

Gallagher also points to clear popular choices in aesthetics. “The Modern Farmhouse with open concept is still the most popular among buyers building their first or last home,” he says. “But finishes are evolving. The grays are trending out, while natural wood tones and soft whites are trending in. Gold tones and matte black fixtures are especially popular right now,” Gallagher continues. “The movement reflects a broader design philosophy emphasizing warmth, texture, and timeless appeal — homes that feel inviting rather than overly stylized.”

I have observed that beyond colors and fixtures, buyers are increasingly focused on how homes function within the rhythms of lake life. People want spaces that adapt, open kitchens that flow into gathering areas, flexible bonus rooms, larger closets, and practical storage solutions. These aren’t luxury extras anymore — they’re expectations.

Equally important is understanding the building journey itself. Each approach serves a different buyer. The fully-custom build offers unlimited creativity. Production-style homes deliver simplicity and speed. And customize-able builders provide that middle ground — structure with flexibility. There’s no one right answer, only what aligns best for the individual.

For Gallagher, experiencing the process firsthand is now adding a new layer of appreciation… “After years of guiding clients through decisions, it’s interesting to sit on the other side,” he says. “You realize most people want the same core things — comfort, efficiency, and a home that supports how they actually live.”

As spring settles in and the Lake Anna Home Tour draws near, the atmosphere around the lake feels defined by more than warmer weather. It is shaped by possibility — new homes emerging from fresh lots, evolving design sensibilities, and families investing not just in properties, but in lifestyles. At Lake Anna, renewal isn’t simply seasonal. It’s being built, one home at a time.

Tiffany Hazelwood

Tiffany Hazelwood has a degree in Journalism from the University of Richmond is a full-time Real Estate Broker with Lake Homes Realty, a lake-focused real estate firm, where she serves as the Anchor Agent for the Lake Anna market. She has been a licensed realtor since 2008 and has been specializing in real estate here at the lake since 2016. She has enjoyed writing the real estate section for the Lake Anna Breeze™ since 2019. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys jet-skiing and boating on the lake, traveling with her husband, Tom, and time with their dogs.