Hampton Roads Real Estate Blog

Before buying a Norfolk home in a historic district, confirm which kind of historic designation applies and whether your planned exterior work needs local approval. A property can be listed in a state or national register without the same restrictions that come with Norfolk's locally zoned historic districts. That distinction can change your renovation timeline, materials budget and offer strategy.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty
Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 12, 2026

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 11, 2026

The practical takeaway: Hampton Roads buyers have more homes to compare than they have had in more than six years, but that does not automatically mean prices are falling. REIN reported 6,603 active residential listings in October 2026, the highest regional total since April 2020, while the median sold price still increased from one year earlier.

For buyers, the shift creates more room to compare condition, price and seller terms. For sellers, it raises the cost of overpricing because shoppers now have more alternatives.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 10, 2026

The practical answer: beginning July 1, 2027, Virginia law will treat an accessory dwelling unit as a permitted accessory use in covered single-family residential zoning districts. That should make ADUs more predictable to pursue, but it does not eliminate local permits, building-code review, utility requirements, flood rules or private HOA restrictions.

For Hampton Roads homeowners, the best move now is preparation, not construction based on assumptions. Confirm the property's zoning, survey, utilities, flood and AICUZ conditions, then watch for local implementation guidance before paying for final plans.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 9, 2026

The practical answer: a city GIS or tax map is a useful research tool, but it is not a current field survey of a specific Hampton Roads property. If a fence, driveway, shed, addition, easement or possible encroachment could affect your decision, ask early whether you need a new survey and what type your lender, title company or project requires.

Do not assume a survey will be recorded with the deed. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court Clerk says its office does not keep individual house location surveys and that Virginia law does not require one to be recorded with a deed.

A standard home inspection may not show the condition of the buried sewer line running from a house toward the public system. Hampton Roads buyers should consider discussing a separate sewer-camera scope when the home is older, mature trees are near the line, drains are slow, prior backups are reported, or the inspection raises plumbing concerns.

A scope is not necessary for every purchase, and it is not a guarantee against future problems. Its value is that it can provide additional property-specific information before inspection deadlines expire.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 8, 2026

The October jobs report was good news for employment, but it is not an automatic mortgage-rate cut. U.S. payrolls rose by 165,000, unemployment was 4.1%, and earlier months were revised higher. Bond yields moved up after the release, which means Hampton Roads buyers should treat the report as a reason to refresh their loan quote - not as proof that borrowing costs are about to fall.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 7, 2026

Changing jobs does not automatically disqualify you from getting a mortgage. The practical rule for Hampton Roads buyers is to tell the lender before you resign, accept a new role or change how you are paid. Underwriting is based on income that can be documented and reasonably expected to continue, and employment may be checked again close to closing.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 6, 2026

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 5, 2026

The practical answer: before listing a Hampton Roads home with solar panels, confirm who owns the system, whether any balance or lease remains, and what the solar agreement requires when the property is sold. Do this before accepting an offer. The answer can affect the buyer's loan, appraisal, title review, insurance and closing timeline.

Solar panels do not all transfer the same way. A system owned free and clear is different from one financed through a solar loan, and both differ from panels leased from a third party or covered by a power purchase agreement.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 4, 2026

The direct answer: Virginia Beach workforce housing is a voluntary development program, not a price cap on every home or apartment. Participating developers may receive added density in exchange for creating designated units with income, pricing and compliance requirements. Buyers and renters must still qualify for a specific program unit.

Published by The Morton Group with AtCoastal Realty | Todd Morton, REALTOR and Owner | November 3, 2026

The practical answer: A Hampton Roads seller may be able to pay some or all of a buyer's eligible closing costs, but the usable amount depends on the loan program, occupancy, loan-to-value ratio, actual costs and appraisal. The contract credit should be confirmed with the buyer's lender before ratification because the headline percentage is only a ceiling.