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

Most homeowners in Virginia Beach pay their 2026 property tax bill without ever checking if the city's assessed value of their home is actually accurate. Here's a 2-minute check to see if you're over-assessed — and what to do about it if you are.

May is one of the best months of the year in Hampton Roads, and 2026 is stacking up to be no exception. From waterfront wine festivals and Cajun food to Memorial Day country music and family-friendly farmers markets, there's genuinely something for everyone across the region. Here's your local guide to what's worth getting out for this month.

The Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival returns to Norfolk's beautiful waterfront on May 2–3, 2026, and it's one of those events that reminds you why living in Hampton Roads is so special. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just love a great afternoon outside by the water, this is a weekend worth putting on your calendar.

Most Hampton Roads buyers walk into the process thinking about the down payment — and get blindsided by everything else. Here's a full, honest breakdown of what it actually costs to buy a home in Hampton Roads in 2026, from closing costs to first-year expenses.

Virginia Beach isn't standing still. Three major development projects are actively reshaping corridors across the city — and buyers, investors, and homeowners who understand what's coming can position themselves before the market catches up.

Virginia Beach median home prices hit $385,000 in Q1 2026, an 8.2% jump from a year ago. If you own a home here, you're sitting on more equity than you probably realize — and knowing what to do with it matters. Here's what the latest data actually means for homeowners, sellers, and investors in Hampton Roads.

FEMA is redrawing flood zone maps across Norfolk in 2026, and thousands of properties could land in mandatory flood insurance zones for the first time. Here's what that means for your mortgage, your insurance costs, and your home's value.

Virginia Beach property assessments are climbing for another year, and whether you own, rent, or are planning to buy, it affects you. Here's a straightforward breakdown of what rising assessments mean for homeowners, buyers, and investors across Hampton Roads.

Hampton Roads is quietly becoming one of the Mid-Atlantic's most compelling rental markets, and certain neighborhoods are pulling ahead faster than others. If you're building a rental portfolio across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, or Suffolk, knowing where growth is happening before prices climb is a real advantage. Here's what the data and local trends are telling us.

While Virginia Beach prices keep climbing, Suffolk is quietly offering Hampton Roads buyers something increasingly rare: affordability, character, and real long-term growth potential. If you've been priced out of coastal markets, Suffolk deserves a serious look. Here's what you need to know.

Suffolk home prices dropped 4.4% year-over-year in March 2026, with a median sale price of $393K. For buyers and investors watching Hampton Roads, this shift is worth paying attention to. Here's what the data means and how to think about it strategically.

Virginia Beach property assessments are climbing for another year, and the ripple effects touch every homeowner, buyer, and investor in Hampton Roads. Understanding what's driving these increases — and how to respond — can make a real difference in your financial decisions this year.

Virginia's 2025 HOA law updates introduce important reforms affecting homeowners, buyers, and associations across Hampton Roads. From resale disclosures to stronger owner protections, here's what you need to know before buying, selling, or living in an HOA community.

A new Virginia law signed in April 2026 gives homeowners the legal right to build accessory dwelling units on their property, removing the local red tape that previously blocked many projects. For Hampton Roads homeowners, this could mean new rental income, added living space, or a meaningful boost in property value. Here's what you need to know.

Hampton Roads home values rose 4.17% in 2025 — more than double the national average. Here's what's driving the market and what to expect in 2026.

Both cities offer strong value — but they're different in important ways. Here's a head-to-head comparison for buyers weighing their options.

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.

The buyer's lender orders an appraisal after your home goes under contract. Here's how it works, what can go wrong, and how to prepare.

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

Selling in Virginia Beach costs 6–9% of the sale price when you add up commission, closing costs, and repairs. Here's the full picture.

Beyond commission, Hampton Roads sellers pay grantor's tax, settlement fees, and prorated taxes. Here's the complete breakdown.

The NAR settlement changed how commissions work. Here's what Virginia Beach sellers actually pay in 2026 — and how to negotiate it.

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.

Virginia Beach home prices jumped 6.3% year-over-year in March 2026, pushing the median sale price to around $340,000. Homes are moving fast, often going pending in under 30 days. Here's what that means if you're buying, selling, or investing in Hampton Roads right now.