Hampton Roads Real Estate Blog

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

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17 posts in Buying Tips
What Are the Real Risks of Waiting to Buy in Hampton Roads?
Buying Tips

What Are the Real Risks of Waiting to Buy in Hampton Roads?

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.

June 5, 2026
Why Hampton Roads Is One of the Best Markets in the Country for VA Loan Buyers
Buying Tips

Why Hampton Roads Is One of the Best Markets in the Country for VA Loan Buyers

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.

May 29, 2026
The VA Loan Mistakes Hampton Roads Military Buyers Make Every PCS Season (and How to Avoid Them)
Buying Tips

The VA Loan Mistakes Hampton Roads Military Buyers Make Every PCS Season (and How to Avoid Them)

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.

May 22, 2026
PCS to Norfolk in 2026? What Relocation Guides Won't Tell You About Living Here
Buying Tips

PCS to Norfolk in 2026? What Relocation Guides Won't Tell You About Living Here

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.

May 18, 2026
What Does a 2/1 Buydown Actually Cost You? A Real Example from Virginia Beach New Construction
Buying Tips

What Does a 2/1 Buydown Actually Cost You? A Real Example from Virginia Beach New Construction

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.

May 15, 2026
Hampton's Homebuyer Assistance Program: Free Money for Buying Downtown — Here's How to Qualify
Buying Tips

Hampton's Homebuyer Assistance Program: Free Money for Buying Downtown — Here's How to Qualify

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.

May 15, 2026
Renting at $1,500 vs. Buying in Hampton Roads: When Does the Math Actually Work?
Buying Tips

Renting at $1,500 vs. Buying in Hampton Roads: When Does the Math Actually Work?

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.

May 12, 2026
The Military Homebuyer's City-by-City Guide to Hampton Roads in 2026
Buying Tips

The Military Homebuyer's City-by-City Guide to Hampton Roads in 2026

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.

May 11, 2026
Hampton Roads Home Buyer Guide 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
Buying Tips

Hampton Roads Home Buyer Guide 2026: Everything 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.

May 3, 2026
Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in Virginia Beach?
Buying Tips

Best Neighborhoods for First-Time Buyers in Virginia Beach?

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.

April 18, 2026AI
What Happens If the Appraisal Comes In Low in Virginia?
Buying Tips

What Happens If the Appraisal Comes In Low in Virginia?

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.

April 18, 2026AI
What Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Virginia Beach in 2026?
Buying Tips

What Does It Cost to Buy a Home in Virginia Beach in 2026?

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

April 18, 2026AI
What Are Typical Closing Costs for Virginia Home Buyers?
Buying Tips

What Are Typical Closing Costs for Virginia Home Buyers?

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.

April 18, 2026AI
What Hampton Roads Homeowners Actually Pay in Property Taxes (2025 Guide)
Buying Tips

What Hampton Roads Homeowners Actually Pay in Property Taxes (2025 Guide)

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.

April 14, 2026
What Virginia's 2025 Real Estate Law Updates Mean for Hampton Roads Buyers and Sellers
Buying Tips

What Virginia's 2025 Real Estate Law Updates Mean for Hampton Roads Buyers and Sellers

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.

April 11, 2026
2025 BAH Rates Are Here: What Military Families in Hampton Roads Should Know Before Buying
Buying Tips

2025 BAH Rates Are Here: What Military Families in Hampton Roads Should Know Before Buying

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.

March 24, 2026
PCS Orders to Virginia Beach? What Military Families Need to Know Before They Move
Buying Tips

PCS Orders to Virginia Beach? What Military Families Need to Know Before They Move

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.

March 24, 2026