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KingRealtor757 · Hampton Roads Knowledge Center

Hampton Roads Real Estate Blog & Local Market Insights

Written by John King, a U.S. Navy veteran and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty REALTOR® with 441 closings across Hampton Roads, this library covers what buyers, sellers, and military families actually need to know about real estate in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and the surrounding 757.

Explore more than 200 original Hampton Roads real estate articles covering local neighborhoods, military PCS moves, VA loan strategy, home selling, waterfront property, market trends, and home buying — lessons drawn from more than 13 years of local transactions, not syndicated content.

Every guide is organized by topic below. Start with the cornerstone resources, browse a cluster, or scroll to the newest articles.

Selling a Home Military & PCS Neighborhood Guides Waterfront Real Estate Market Updates Buying a Home VA Loans

Start here

Start with these six cornerstone resources, then explore the supporting guides below.

Market data

Hampton Roads 13-Year Transaction Study

441 closings from 2014 to 2026, broken down by year, city, price band, and financing type.

Military & PCS

Military PCS Guide to Hampton Roads

Bases, BAH, VA loans, commute-based neighborhood picks, and a 90-day plan for buying on orders.

Waterfront

Hampton Roads Waterfront Real Estate Guide

Waterfront neighborhoods, flood zones, pricing, disclosures, and what buyers actually pay for on the water.

Selling

Sell My House in Virginia Beach Guide

Pricing strategy, prep, marketing, and timing for Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads sellers.

Neighborhoods

Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads Neighborhood Guides

Guides to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake neighborhoods: prices, commutes, flood zones, and fit.

PCS out / relocating

Moving Out of Hampton Roads Guide

How to sell here on a deadline and get a vetted agent at your next duty station.

Latest Hampton Roads Real Estate Articles

New guides and market updates are added every week. Newest first.

Great Neck Move-Up Story: Sold in 4 Days, Bought Forever Home

A Great Neck Virginia Beach move-up story: how one family sold their home in four days and bought their forever home in Wolfsnare Plantation, step by step. ...more

Home Buying ,Home Sellers

June 03, 2026•14 min read

Great Neck Move-Up Story: Sold in 4 Days, Bought Forever Home

Luxury Homes Over $500K: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake & Norfolk 2026

Buying a home over $500K in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake or Norfolk in 2026? Luxury neighborhoods, pricing, and buyer strategy from Navy veteran REALTOR® John King. ...more

Home Buying ,Virginia Beach Real Estate Market

May 15, 2026•17 min read

Luxury Homes Over $500K: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake & Norfolk 2026

Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Virginia Beach? (2026 Update)

Virginia Beach home buying in 2026. Current prices, mortgage rates, VA loan advantages, and when to buy. From John King, Navy veteran Hampton Roads REALTOR®. ...more

Home Buying

April 20, 2026•11 min read

Is Now a Good Time to Buy in Virginia Beach? (2026 Update)

Virtual Home Tours for Military PCS Buyers in Hampton Roads

See how John King helps military families PCSing to JEB Little Creek and Hampton Roads buy homes sight unseen with thorough virtual tours and honest evaluations. ...more

Home Buying ,Military/PCS Moves

April 20, 2026•7 min read

Virtual Home Tours for Military PCS Buyers in Hampton Roads

Alanton Deep Water Access: Virginia Beach Waterfront Buyer's Guide

Alanton Virginia Beach offers rare deep water access to Linkhorn Bay, Broad Bay, and beyond. John King explains what makes Alanton the top waterfront neighborhood in Hampton Roads for serious boaters ... ...more

Home Buying

April 18, 2026•9 min read

Alanton Deep Water Access: Virginia Beach Waterfront Buyer's Guide

Chic's Beach: The Best Military Neighborhood in Hampton Roads

For military families PCSing to Hampton Roads, Chic's Beach in Virginia Beach offers unmatched proximity to Little Creek, strong rental fundamentals, and a community built around military life. ...more

Home Buying ,Military/PCS Moves VA Loans &Neighborhood Guides

April 15, 2026•3 min read

Chic's Beach: The Best Military Neighborhood in Hampton Roads

Chic's Beach Real Estate: What Buyers Need to Know Before They Shop

Thinking about buying in Chic's Beach, Virginia Beach? Here's the honest breakdown of prices, property types, market pace, and what to expect before you start shopping. ...more

Home Buying ,Military/PCS Moves Virginia Beach Real Estate Market &Neighborhood Guides

April 15, 2026•8 min read

Chic's Beach Real Estate: What Buyers Need to Know Before They Shop

Things to Do in East Beach Norfolk: Dining, Outdoors, Local Life

From Chesapeake Bay beaches and deep-water marinas to Bold Mariner Brewing and Sour Street Pizza here's the real guide to life and things to do in East Beach, Norfolk. ...more

Home Buying ,Military/PCS Moves &Neighborhood Guides

April 14, 2026•6 min read

Things to Do in East Beach Norfolk: Dining, Outdoors, Local Life

East Beach Norfolk for Military Families: Why It Works for PCS

PCSing to Hampton Roads? East Beach in Norfolk offers ideal commutes to every major installation, strong VA loan options, and a community built for military families. Here's what to know. ...more

Home Buying ,Military/PCS Moves VA Loans &Neighborhood Guides

April 14, 2026•5 min read

East Beach Norfolk for Military Families: Why It Works for PCS

East Beach Norfolk vs. Virginia Beach: Which Waterfront Fits?

Comparing East Beach Norfolk to Virginia Beach waterfront neighborhoods? Here's an honest side-by-side from a Hampton Roads real estate expert who knows both markets. ...more

Home Buying ,Neighborhood Guides

April 14, 2026•4 min read

East Beach Norfolk vs. Virginia Beach: Which Waterfront Fits?

East Beach Norfolk Real Estate Market: Prices and Trends

East Beach Norfolk homes range from $450K to $2.5M+. Here's an honest breakdown of prices, market trends, inventory, and what buyers need to know before making a move. ...more

Home Buying ,Neighborhood Guides

April 14, 2026•6 min read

East Beach Norfolk Real Estate Market: Prices and Trends

What Are Closing Costs? 3 Buckets Hampton Roads Buyers Must Know

Most people use the term "closing costs" way too loosely and it costs them thousands. John King breaks down the 3 real buckets of closing costs for Hampton Roads buyers and sellers. ...more

Home Buying ,Home Sellers

April 10, 2026•3 min read

What Are Closing Costs? 3 Buckets Hampton Roads Buyers Must Know

The First Time Homebuyer Mistake That Costs You Your Dream Home

First time homebuyers in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads skip the most critical step and pay for it. Here is the proven process to get qualified, make winning offers, and close with confidence. ...more

Home Buying

April 10, 2026•5 min read

The First Time Homebuyer Mistake That Costs You Your Dream Home

10 Deadly Mistakes That Can Kill Your Home Purchase Before Closing

Under contract in Virginia Beach? Avoid these 10 financial mistakes that cause loan denials before closing. John King, top Hampton Roads Realtor, explains what to never do. ...more

Home Buying

March 31, 2026•3 min read

10 Deadly Mistakes That Can Kill Your Home Purchase Before Closing

Pre-Qualification vs. Full Approval: Why It Matters

Most buyers think they’re ready… until their deal falls apart. Full approval is what actually wins in today’s market. Don’t lose your home over paperwork. ...more

Home Buying

March 31, 2026•2 min read

Pre-Qualification vs. Full Approval: Why It Matters

Back to Home

Browse by topic

Home Sellers Military / PCS Moves Neighborhood Guides VA Loans Home Buying Buyer Education Market Updates Virginia Beach Real Estate Market Real Estate Tips Community New Listings Meet John

Why these guides are different

Every article here is written by one local agent from his own transaction record, not by a content farm. The numbers below are the basis for the advice.

441

closings

Real Hampton Roads closings since 2014, not national averages.

189

VA-financed sales

Direct experience with military and veteran buyers and sellers.

13+

years in the 757

Market experience across multiple cycles, from 2013 to today.

270

subdivisions

Experience spread across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News.

About the author

John King · REALTOR® · U.S. Navy Veteran

John King is a former Navy Machinist Mate and a licensed Virginia REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty in Virginia Beach. Licensed since 2013, he has logged 441 closings across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, and Newport News, and specializes in military PCS relocation, VA loans, and waterfront property. He holds a 5.0 Google rating across 117 reviews and has earned the HRRA Circle of Excellence every year since 2015.

About John King See the transaction study

Common questions about this library

Tap a question to expand it.

What is the Hampton Roads Real Estate Blog?

A library of more than 200 original articles about buying, selling, and relocating in Hampton Roads, Virginia: neighborhood guides for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake, military PCS and VA loan resources, seller playbooks, waterfront property guides, and market data. It is written by John King, a U.S. Navy veteran and REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty, from his own 441 closings since 2014.

Which Hampton Roads neighborhoods are closest to each base?

For NAS Oceana, buyers usually look at Red Mill, Strawbridge, and the Great Neck corridor. For Naval Station Norfolk, Ocean View, Willoughby, and East Beach keep the commute short. For JEB Little Creek, Chic's Beach, Ocean Park, Shore Drive, and East Ocean View are the closest options. Each of these has a dedicated neighborhood guide on this blog covering commute, flood zones, and price ranges.

How do VA loans work when buying in Virginia Beach or Norfolk?

Eligible veterans and active-duty service members can buy with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Buyers with full entitlement have no VA loan limit, though a VA funding fee applies unless you are exempt. VA appraisals follow Tidewater rules that can affect negotiations, which is why the VA Loan Appraisal Guide above is one of the most-read posts here. Loan terms vary by lender, so confirm specifics with a VA-approved lender.

What is the Hampton Roads real estate market like right now?

Hampton Roads is one of the steadier markets in the Mid-Atlantic because a large permanent military presence keeps demand consistent through PCS season. Conditions still change month to month, so the Market Updates category on this blog tracks days on market, inventory, and pricing for Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake as the numbers move.

Should I buy or rent during a PCS to Hampton Roads?

It depends on tour length, BAH, and how quickly you could resell or rent the home when orders come. On a three-year-plus tour, buying with a VA loan often compares well against renting, but a short tour or an uncertain follow-on assignment can tip the math toward renting. The PCS buyer and seller playbooks above walk through both scenarios day by day.