New Construction in Hampton Roads Now Averages $527K — Here's What's Driving the Affordability Squeeze
New construction in Hampton Roads hit an average of $527,543 in 2025 — up nearly 11% while sales volume dropped 28%. Here's what's behind the numbers and what it means if you're weighing a new build against resale.
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.
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.
Suffolk Just Approved a $2 Billion Improvement Plan — Here's What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers
Suffolk City Council unanimously approved a $2 billion Community Improvement Plan covering 2026–2035. If you own a home in Suffolk or you're considering buying there, here's where the money is going and why it matters for property values.
170 Vacant Public Housing Units in Norfolk — Why This Matters for the Whole City
More than 170 units sit empty at a Norfolk public housing complex due to mold and maintenance issues — and if left unresolved, that vacancy rate could put federal funding at serious risk. Here's what that means for Norfolk's redevelopment pipeline and why Hampton Roads residents beyond city limits should pay attention.
Virginia Beach Home Prices Up 15.6% Year-Over-Year — What's Driving the Surge?
The median list price in Virginia Beach just hit $479,900 — a 15.6% jump from last year — while national prices are actually falling. Here's what's behind the surge and what it means if you're buying, selling, or just watching your equity grow.
Virginia Beach Amphitheater Turns 30: A Look Back at Three Decades of Concerts at the Oceanfront
The Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach is celebrating 30 years as one of Hampton Roads' most beloved entertainment destinations. From its earliest seasons to the upcoming 2026 concert lineup, the venue has been woven into the fabric of this community in ways that go far beyond live music. Here's a look back — and a look ahead.
Back Bay Farmhouse May Become Apartments: What Virginia Beach's Kempsville Road Development Means for the Area
Plans are in early stages to convert the popular Back Bay Farmhouse brewery site on Kempsville Road into a new apartment complex. Here's what that could mean for nearby homeowners, traffic, and the Kempsville corridor's long-term character.
Rain Gardens, Oyster Reefs, and Flood Control: Hampton's Dutch-Inspired Strategy That Other HR Cities Should Watch
Hampton, Virginia is taking a nature-based approach to flood control — rain gardens, oyster reefs, and creek restoration — instead of billion-dollar walls and pumps. Here's why Hampton Roads homeowners everywhere should be paying close attention to what's working.
The Real Numbers on Virginia Beach Airbnb Investing: Most Properties Are Losing Money
Across 20+ analyzed short-term rental properties in Virginia Beach, the median monthly cashflow is -$1,235. Before you buy an Airbnb investment here, you need to understand why most are losing money — and what the profitable ones do differently.
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.
How to Challenge Your Flood Zone Designation in Virginia Beach — The FEMA LOMC Process Explained
If your Virginia Beach home is mapped in a flood zone but sits on higher ground, you may be paying for flood insurance you don't actually need. The FEMA Letter of Map Change process lets homeowners challenge that designation — and a successful case can save thousands per year. Here's how it works.
500+ New Businesses and Hundreds of Jobs: What Chesapeake's Growth Means for Real Estate
Chesapeake's 2025 State of the City revealed 565 new businesses, nearly $1 billion in capital investment, and thousands of jobs on the way. Here's what that economic momentum means for housing demand, home values, and investment opportunities across Hampton Roads.
What Does It Cost to Sell a Home in Norfolk?
Selling a home in Norfolk involves more than agent commissions — grantor taxes, repairs, prorated taxes, and mortgage payoff all factor into your final number. Here's a full breakdown of every cost you should expect, plus a real net-proceeds example so you know what you're actually walking away with.
Virginia Beach Is Asking Churches and Nonprofits to Help Solve the Housing Shortage — Here's How
Virginia Beach has a gap of more than 4,000 affordable housing units — and the city is now turning to faith-based organizations and nonprofits to help close it. Here's what the initiative involves, why land is the key variable, and what it could mean for your neighborhood.
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.
Does Your Virginia Beach Home Insurance Actually Cover Hurricanes? What You Need to Know
Many Virginia Beach homeowners assume their policy fully covers hurricane damage — but wind and flood are treated very differently. Here's what your policy likely covers, what it doesn't, and the gaps that could cost you after a major storm.
Blackbeard's Head Hung on a Pole: The Pirate History Hidden in Hampton Roads
November 22, 1718. A naval officer sailed into Hampton harbor with a severed head hanging from his bow. The spot where Blackbeard's head was displayed on a pole still has a name on local maps today — and most Hampton Roads residents have no idea.
Chesapeake's Community Development Projects: Habitat for Humanity and HUD-Funded Home Repairs You Should Know About
Chesapeake homeowners may qualify for free or subsidized home repairs and homeownership assistance through HUD-funded programs and Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads. Many families don't know these resources exist — here's who qualifies and how to access them. If you own a home in Chesapeake, this could save you thousands.
Naval Station Norfolk History: How the World's Largest Naval Base Was Built in 6 Months on a World's Fair Site
In 1917, the U.S. Navy needed a major East Coast base — fast. What they found was an abandoned World's Fair site on Sewell's Point in Norfolk, and what they built there in under six months became the largest naval installation on Earth. Here's the story every Hampton Roads resident should know.
World War II Came to the Virginia Beach Shoreline — And Vacationers Watched It Happen
In the summer of 1942, beachgoers on the Virginia Beach shoreline watched tankers burn just offshore while German U-boats prowled the Atlantic almost completely unchallenged. It's one of the most visceral chapters of World War II — and almost nobody who lives here knows it happened.
The Day Two Iron Ships Changed Naval Warfare Forever — 5 Miles from Downtown Norfolk
On March 8, 1862, a Confederate ironclad steamed into Hampton Roads and sank two Union warships in a single afternoon — the worst naval disaster of the Civil War. The next morning, history changed again. The Battle of Hampton Roads Monitor Merrimack history is woven into the very water Hampton Roads residents live beside today.
The 34-Foot Sea Monster on Our Beach: The Story Behind the King Neptune Statue in Virginia Beach
Most locals have walked past him a hundred times without knowing the whole story. The King Neptune statue at 31st Street was cast in China in 120 days, shipped across the ocean, and planted at the edge of the Atlantic — and he's been watching over the boardwalk ever since. Here's the history behind Virginia Beach's most iconic landmark.
Norfolk Harborfest 2026: Your Complete Guide to America's Largest Free Maritime Festival
Norfolk Harborfest 2026 runs June 19–21 at Town Point Park on the Downtown Norfolk waterfront — and this year marks the festival's 50th anniversary. Here's everything families and newcomers need to know about tall ships, fireworks, live music, and three days of free waterfront celebration.
Affordability Is the 'Monster' in Hampton Roads Real Estate — Here's What the Numbers Show
New construction in Hampton Roads now averages $527,543 — up 10.9% — while sales volume dropped 28%. Here's what those numbers actually mean if you're trying to buy a home you can afford in this market.