Hampton Roads, VA
Hampton Roads is an exciting place to live today! Read about the main seven cities of Hampton Roads - Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Hampton and Newport News, as well as other nearby cities and counties.
Hampton Roads Homes and Real Estate
Hampton Roads, frequently referred to as America's birthplace, saw some of the first Colonists arrive. The name of this unique region comes from 17th century's Earl of Southhampton. The last part of his name was combined with “road,” which, in nautical terminology describes a secure harbor. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, this area has a population of 1,658,754. Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg comprise Hampton Roads. Virginia counties of Gloucester County, Isle of Wright County, James City County, Mathews County, Surry County, York County are included as well as North Carolina's Currituck County.
Buying a Home in Hampton Roads
Agents at SimonHouses.com blend friendliness and professionalism together seamlessly as they aid homebuyers who seek Hampton Roads homes. This southeastern area of Virginia is a choice location for residing and buying investment properties. Choose from condominiums, lofts, townhouses, row houses, co-ops, single-family homes, land for building and even homes that have stunning views of golf courses, city skylines, beaches, the bay, creeks, marshes, lakes, meadows or wooded preserves. Like homes found on the National Register of Historic Places? Try Colonial Place or Riverview in Norfolk. Want that residence to truly be a new home? Many new home developments are scattered throughout Hampton Roads in various price ranges such as Ford's Colony in Williamsburg, Sajo Farm in Virginia Beach and Villas at Yorktown. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned pro seeking a luxury home, Hampton Roads has got you covered.
First-time Homebuyers
Buying a home in Hampton Roads can be so much easier when you have someone watching out for you. At SimonHouses.com, we understand the fears that come with a first-time home purchase and we're here to help. Contact us for a free, no-commitment homebuyer consultation and one of our agents will explain how we can aid your search. Our accomplished agents have experience working with first-time buyers in various income levels so they know how to help find the home you seek. Helpful mortgage officers can get you prequalified so it will be easier searching within your exact budget guidelines. Even if you have no idea where to begin, an agent from SimonHouses.com can help make your dream of home ownership come true.
Homes in Hampton Roads
Geographically divided by nature's harbor, Hampton Roads is split into a southern and northern section. Commonly referred to as "the Peninsula," the northern side is comprised of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County. The "Southside" of Hampton Roads includes Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Surry County and Virginia Beach. The counties of Gloucester and Mathews fall into the category of the Middle Peninsula while North Carolina's Currituck County is below the Southside. Whether it's planned communities, high-rise condos, turn-of-the-century charmers, rural farmhouses, golf course villas or waterfront estates, Hampton Roads homes continue attracting buyers year after year. When buying a home in Hampton Roads, keep in mind there are many local neighborhoods that never seem to lose their wide range appeal. Sought-after areas may include Larchmont and Lafayette Shores in Norfolk, Sawyer's Mill and Lilley Cove in Chesapeake, Waterview in Portsmouth, Thoroughgood and Kempsville in Virginia Beach, Fieldcrest Estates and Claiborne in Williamsburg, Michael's Woods and Farmington in Hampton, Riverside and Kiln Creek in Newport News, Harbour View and Hill Point Farms in Suffolk, Heritage Cove in Poquoson and Running Man in Yorktown.
Real Estate
Real estate prices continue to drop in many parts of the country but Hampton Roads homes have gained some equilibrium. Between February 2010 and February 2011, home sales in the Southside went up as much as 16 percent. During the same time period, the median sales of homes in James City County and York County actually increased, which is almost unheard of in the current marketplace. So this area is the best of both worlds. Buyers still get great deals and low interest rates while homeowners are starting to see the light of day with home values stabilizing. U.S. News & World Report and CNN Money Magazine both call Williamsburg one of the “best places to retire.” Chesapeake and Suffolk made the CNN Money Magazine's list of “best places to live.” America's Promise Alliance annually compiles an esteemed list of “The 100 Best Communities for Young People” and in 2010 Hampton, Newport News, Surry County and Virginia Beach all made the cut. It is no wonder so many people look at buying a home in Hampton Roads, with the industry, military, scenery and amenities found in this centralized East Coast spot.
New Homes and New Construction in Hampton Roads
Moving to this area of Virginia can awaken homebuyers with the smell of possibilities. Building a new home doesn't have to be just a dream anymore. Mental pictures can become reality in reasonable time frames with the helpful agents at SimonHouses.com. By choosing new construction, homebuyers are in charge of selecting fixtures, flooring, appliances, countertops, wall colors and more to reflect their personal styles. Many new home communities in Hampton Roads will allow minimal customizing for standard homes. Building custom homes allows personalization to go even further as buyers can literally help create their own homes. It is advantageous for homebuyers to work with knowledgeable agents skilled in the art of negotiation. SimonHouses.com is stacked with buyer's agents who can save time by finding properties within certain specifications and price ranges. They can also save money and significantly reduce stress by organizing details to stay on schedule when building a new home.
Selling in Hampton Roads
Owning Hampton Roads homes can benefit both investment portfolios as well as families who live in the properties. Check with a trusted tax professional to learn all the ways it pays to be a homeowner. With the world's largest U.S. Navy base and other military branches represented throughout the area, servicemen and women will continue getting orders here, so they will keep buying houses. Tourism, agriculture, medical, education, high-tech and shipping industries boost the economy and may also attract new job-related transfers. Let an accomplished SimonHouses.com agent figure out the best selling strategy for your home to quickly get top dollar.
Living in Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is for everyone. Parenting magazine compiled a list entitled “Best Cities for Families 2010.” Virginia Beach ranked No. 8, while Chesapeake came in at No. 46 and Norfolk followed at No. 66. With beaches and abundant recreational opportunities, singles are sure to find this area hip as well. Retirees will be in good company as retired service members are some of the happy residents here. A temperate climate is present most months out of the year, snow is a rarity and sun is a frequent guest.
The Name - Hampton Roads
The term "Hampton Roads" is a centuries-old designation that originated when the region was a struggling English outpost nearly 400 years ago. Hampton comes from the significance of the city of Hampton in the early 1600s. The word "roads" in nautical terminology of the day meant "a place less sheltered than a harbor where ships may ride at anchor."
The combination of the words as "Hampton Roads" was recorded as the channel linking the James, Elizabeth and Nansemond Rivers with the Chesapeake Bay in an act of the Virginia General Assembly in 1755. Hampton Roads has become well-known as the "world's greatest harbor." This frame is partially because this harbor is the northernmost major East Coast port of the United States which is normally ice-free year-round.
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