178 Business View - November 2015
traffic to the county in recent years as well, and the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s new
“Silver Line” is expected to be begin service in 2017.
“It’s grown up and it’s the next logical step from Fairfax
County, which is right next to the district,” he said. “It’s
the next logical place to be.”
The bulk of company revenue still comes from build-
ing/selling new homes, though the apartment arm,
Davidson said, has provided a steady cash flow and
helped insulate the overall operation – and reduce the
need for workforce reduction – during difficult periods
in the housing market. The property development side
operates on a separate business model, but also gen-
erates bottom-line impact.
And, because so many products are offered across the
board, all age/income levels are targets.
The company was able tomaintain profitability through-
out the Great Recession and never sold fewer than
300 units in any one calendar year. Between 530 and
540 homes will be sold this year, Davidson said, but
while prices have rebounded about 10 percent from
their lowest point, they’re still “nowhere near” what
they were when the market neared its peak in 2007.
Open floor plans with “flex space” are the most sought-
after design element these days, he said, as opposed
to traditional home models that were more defined by
walls. Many customers are looking for outdoor living
options as well, which has meant patios, screened
porches and fire pits have become popular in a climate
that’s amenable to outdoor activity for three seasons
of the year.
“First and foremost, we have great locations, and the
importance of that hasn’t changed at all in this busi-
CONSTRUCTION
