Market reports, buying & selling guides, and community insights — from the Legacy Home Search team.

Thinking about waiting for rates to drop or prices to fall before buying in Hampton Roads? Here's what the data actually shows — and what that delay could cost you in real dollars.

Military buyers using VA loans have a real advantage in Hampton Roads — moderate home prices near major installations like Norfolk Naval Station and NAS Oceana mean your benefit stretches further here than at almost any comparable duty station. Here's what that actually looks like in practice, and why it matters before your next PCS.

PCS season is here, and thousands of military families are house-hunting across Hampton Roads right now. One wrong move with a VA loan can cost you thousands — here are the mistakes I see every single spring, and exactly how to avoid them.

Most relocation guides make Hampton Roads sound straightforward. It isn't — and if you're PCSing to Norfolk in 2026, the gaps in that generic advice can cost you real time and money. Here's what two decades of helping military families navigate this area actually looks like.

Builder buydown offers are everywhere in Virginia Beach right now, but most buyers don't know what they're actually agreeing to. Using a real flyer from a Virginia Beach new construction community, Barry Jenkins breaks down the true cost of a 2/1 buydown — month by month, year by year — so you can decide if it's actually a deal.

Hampton's Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost help for eligible buyers purchasing in two downtown neighborhoods. Most Hampton Roads buyers have never heard of it. Here's exactly how it works and how to apply.

If your rent is $1,500 a month all-in, buying in Hampton Roads might feel like a natural next step — and sometimes the numbers really do line up. But there are costs renters rarely see coming. Here's the honest breakdown.

Hampton Roads isn't one market — it's seven cities with different price points, commute patterns, and neighborhoods. This city-by-city breakdown helps military buyers choose the right home base for their duty station in 2026. From Norfolk's walkable urban core to Suffolk's newer construction, here's what you need to know before you buy.

Buying a home in Hampton Roads in 2026 means navigating military-friendly loan programs, fast-moving inventory, and neighborhoods with real differences in flood risk and commute times. This guide covers everything local buyers need — from pre-approval to closing day — in plain language.

Virginia Beach has great options for first-time buyers — if you know where to look. Here are the neighborhoods offering the best value in 2026.

A low appraisal doesn't have to kill the deal. Here are your options as a buyer when the appraised value comes in below the contract price.

Beyond the purchase price, buying in Virginia Beach means closing costs, a down payment, and ongoing ownership costs. Here's what to budget.

Closing costs in Virginia typically run 2–5% of the purchase price for buyers. Here's exactly what you'll pay — and a few ways to reduce it.

Property taxes are one of the biggest ongoing costs of owning a home in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, or anywhere in Hampton Roads. This guide breaks down how Virginia property taxes work, what local rates look like in 2025, and what buyers and owners should factor into their budgets.

Virginia rolled out several important real estate law changes in 2025 that affect how homes are bought and sold across the state. From updated buyer representation agreements to new disclosure requirements, these changes impact every transaction in Hampton Roads. Here's what you need to know before you buy or sell.

Updated 2025 Basic Allowance for Housing rates are reshaping what military families can afford across Hampton Roads. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, understanding how BAH influences local demand could give you a real edge this year.

Virginia Beach is one of the most military-friendly housing markets in the country — but navigating a PCS move from across the country (or world) takes preparation. Here's what active duty families should know about VA loans, neighborhoods, and buying before you arrive.