Family Values Virginia’s Van Metre Homes Embraces 55+ Market

Van Metre Homes was founded in 1955 by Albert G. Van Metre and the company has been building residential communities and custom homes in Northern Virginia ever since. Albert’s children, Beau Van Metre and Allison Van Metre Paley, are the second generation of family ownership and part of a company management that includes grandchildren and in-laws.

The Northern Virginia region has grown significantly over the past 65 years. Van Metre Homes has expanded with it and established a business reputation rooted in the traditional family values of honesty, loyalty, and giving back to the community: Van Metre is a three-time winner of the Washington Business Journal ’s prestigious “Corporate Philanthropy Award.”

55 and Better

Van Metre Homes is currently involved in the development of more than a dozen Northern Virginia multi-generational communities. But, staying ahead in business means

By JG Walker

keeping an eye on the trends, including a maturing regional demographic and long-time Van Metre homeowners who are ready to downsize.

So, it’s not surprising that three of the newest and most popular Van Metre developments—The Crest of Alexandria, The Signature in Broadlands, and Birchwood at Brambleton—have been designed specifically for active adults age 55 and over. In fact, the Brambleton master-planned community was Virginia’s top seller in 2019, and Van Metre’s Birchwood enclave there is leading the way in 2020 with 32 homes sold in January and February alone.

Home designs in Van Metre’s active-adult communities offer single-level living spaces and optional private elevators in multi-story residences. Resort-style amenities like clubhouses, pools, and fitness facilities add to the appeal. But, the biggest draw may be the Northern Virginia locations with convenient proximity to leading medical centers, international airports, outdoor recreation sites—and the grandchildren.

Van Metre Design Center

Having found the ideal community, the first stop for new-home customers is the Van Metre Design Centre in Broadlands, Virginia. Whether browsing on a weekend or keeping a weekday appointment with one of Van Metre’s experienced consultants, the Design Centre offers a relaxed atmosphere for considering all of the available choices. Room by room, the design team guides buyers through a hands-on experience—seeing the colors and styles, even feeling the textures—that turns imagination into reality.

Van Metre designs ensure that every home is as unique as the family that lives there. The process starts with choosing the right basic floor plan from among the company’s pre-designed portfolio homes, which can then be customized to produce one-of-a-kind interior spaces. Kitchens and bathrooms get special attention: everyday functionality for each family’s specific lifestyle is considered in the layout, then tailored with a wide-ranging choice of floorings, cabinets, lighting fixtures, appliances, sinks, faucets, tubs, and showers. The organization of storage spaces in those areas, as well as bedrooms, closets, garages, and home offices, is another flexible priority.

Outdoor spaces can also be custom-designed, whether it’s a modest-size patio where couples can enjoy their morning coffee or more expansive covered or uncovered spaces with fireplaces and outdoor kitchens for entertaining guests in the evenings. And, if eventually another bedroom is called for or an existing space needs to be remodeled, Van Metre’s custom home entity, Design + Build, can take care of that, too.

A Natural Fit

A commitment to sound environmental practices is Van Metre company policy, from masterplan concepts that enhance natural waterways and create shaded hiking trails to the finishing touches on every residence. Van Metre homes are designed to conserve energy and built with eco-friendly materials. Exterior wall weather-resistant barriers and high-grade ceiling insulation are standard in all new homes. Insulated windows, LED lights, and state-of-the-art appliances save power and money. Only environmentally-friendly paints, sealants, finishes, and termite controls are used on the inside, while tree preservation and native-plant landscaping enhance the natural feel throughout every Van Metre community.