Coastal Living Insights

Market reports, buying and selling guides, and stories from the coast. Your resource for making informed real estate decisions in Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina.

Spacious residential acreage property in coastal Virginia with a country-style home, wooded boundaries, established driveway, and open lawn, illustrating rural land-buying considerations.
Buying

Buying Acreage in Chesapeake, Suffolk, or Northeast North Carolina: What Should You Check First?

Buying acreage in Chesapeake, Suffolk, or Northeast North Carolina? Learn what to verify about property access, surveys, easements, wetlands, zoning, wells, septic systems, and the true cost of owning larger parcels.

October 15, 2026
Two representative Hampton Roads residential settings comparing a spacious Suffolk single-family property and an established Chesapeake neighborhood.
Buying

Suffolk vs. Chesapeake: What Should Homebuyers Compare Before Choosing?

Suffolk or Chesapeake, VA? Compare housing styles, lot sizes, commute routes, property taxes, utilities, and ownership costs before deciding where to buy in Hampton Roads.

Oct 15, 2026
Residential property survey identifying a wooden fence that extends across a lot boundary beside an established Hampton Roads home.
Buying

What Happens if a Survey Shows a Fence or Shed Over the Property Line?

A survey reveals that a fence or shed crosses the property line. Can the sale still close? Learn what Virginia buyers and sellers should know about encroachments, title insurance, boundary disputes, and possible solutions in Hampton Roads.

Oct 14, 2026
Virginia homebuyer reviewing earnest money and purchase contract details with a real estate agent outside a Hampton Roads home.
Buying

What Happens to Your Earnest Money if a Virginia Home Purchase Falls Apart?

If a Virginia home purchase falls through, who keeps the earnest money? Learn when buyers may receive a refund, when deposits are at risk, and what happens when buyers and sellers disagree in Hampton Roads.

Oct 14, 2026
A prospective homebuyer and real estate agent evaluating the exterior condition of a traditional coastal Virginia home during a property showing.
Buying

What Does “As-Is” Mean When Buying a Home in Virginia?

Buying a home as-is in Virginia doesn't automatically mean giving up inspections or accepting every hidden problem. Learn what buyers can investigate, which protections depend on the contract, and what Hampton Roads buyers should consider before making an offer.

Oct 8, 2026
Hampton Roads homeowner after closing with home systems and appliances representing home warranty coverage
Buying

What Does a Home Warranty Cover After You Buy a Hampton Roads Home?

A home warranty may help pay to repair or replace certain covered home systems and appliances after closing, but it is not homeowners insurance and it does not cover everything that breaks. Learn what Hampton Roads buyers should check before relying on a home warranty after move-in.

Oct 8, 2026
Hampton Roads home with a detached accessory dwelling unit in the backyard illustrating ADU buyer due diligence
Buying

Buying a Home With an ADU in Hampton Roads: What Should Buyers Verify?

That garage apartment, in-law suite, or backyard cottage may add flexibility and value—but buyers should verify much more than the extra square footage. Learn what Hampton Roads buyers should check about ADU zoning, permits, occupancy, rental use, utilities, financing, appraisal, inspections, and association restrictions before closing.

Oct 8, 2026