How you’ll use the property
List how you will use the land and buildings: gardening, guests, work, or more space. Separate useful features from those you would only maintain.
In Great Falls, McLean, and Fairfax Station, compare usable land as carefully as acreage. A steep or wooded parcel offers a different set of choices from an open, level one.
Land & permitted uses
Request the survey or plat, title documents, and available permit records. Ask qualified professionals to review boundaries, easements, access, and the uses you have in mind. County maps help with research but are not a substitute for a survey.1
- Before planning an addition, pool, or outbuilding, confirm the applicable zoning and site restrictions.
- Investigate drainage and flood information, especially near streams or the river.
- If a road or driveway is shared, understand the recorded access and maintenance arrangements.
Private water & septic
A private well and septic system bring responsibilities that differ from public utilities. Request installation and service records, then arrange the appropriate inspections and water testing. Fairfax County’s Health Department provides records and guidance.2
Check both condition and capacity. A working system may still be unsuitable for an expansion you are considering. Locate the system and any reserved replacement area before planning other work.
Match inspections to the home
| Feature | Useful questions |
|---|---|
| Older or expanded structure | Were additions permitted? Is there evidence of movement or water intrusion? |
| Pool, elevator, or generator | Who services it, what is its condition, and what will ownership require? |
| Retaining walls and steep land | Are there drainage or structural concerns needing an engineer? |
| Extensive grounds | What tree, drainage, fencing, and landscape work recurs each year? |
Discuss the scope with your inspector before the contract deadlines. A standard home inspection may not cover every specialty system.
Insurance & title review
Get an insurance quote based on the actual buildings, materials, systems, and intended uses. Ask what is excluded and how replacement coverage is calculated. Review title exceptions and access questions with your settlement professional or attorney.
Virginia’s residential disclosure framework places substantial responsibility on buyers to investigate. Read the applicable disclosure statement and arrange the checks the property needs.3
The annual upkeep budget
Request recent utility and service records, then get your own estimates for landscaping, tree work, private systems, pools, and other major features. Past bills are useful context, not a promise of future cost.
Supporting detailExample: comparing two properties
- One home needs $20,000 more in annual upkeep than another.
- You expect to own it for five years.
- That difference adds $100,000 before inflation or major repairs.
- Include it alongside the purchase price when deciding what the extra features are worth to you.
Illustrative figures only. Ask for estimates for your property and loan.
Compare value and resale options
Look at relevant sales and current alternatives, accounting for condition, useful land, location, and documented improvements. A feature that was expensive to build may not add the same amount to resale value.
Consider how many future buyers would want the same combination of size, location, and upkeep. Unusual features can be worthwhile for you without being easy to recover at resale.
Allow time to investigate
Build the offer timeline around access to records, specialist availability, financing, and insurance. Keep a list of unresolved questions and the deadline for each answer.
- Document agreed repairs and included equipment.
- Arrange the handoff of service contacts, warranties, and operating instructions.
- Confirm access codes, utility transfers, and maintenance needs before possession.
Your next steps
Common questions
Does more acreage mean more usable land?
No. Slope, water, trees, easements, and development restrictions can limit how land is used. Evaluate the parts of the parcel that matter to your plans.
Is a new estate home easier to evaluate?
New construction still warrants independent inspection and review of permits, completion items, drainage, and warranties.
Can I add a pool or guest building later?
Do not assume so. Ask the county and qualified site professionals about zoning, setbacks, utilities, and other restrictions before buying on that basis.
Sources and dates
Published June 27, 2026. Source dates are listed below. Confirm transaction-specific requirements with the responsible provider.
View sources (3)
- 1Fairfax County Planning and DevelopmentResidential Plats ↗Source checked September 22, 2026
- 2Fairfax County Health DepartmentOnsite Sewage Disposal and Private Well Water Systems ↗Source checked September 22, 2026
- 3Virginia Legislative Information SystemVirginia Residential Property Disclosure Act ↗Source checked September 22, 2026