Virginia Beach, Virginia
When most people think of the Hampton Roads area, they first imagine the sparkling shorelines and rolling dunes of Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach may be most known for the oceanfront resort area, with over 430,000 residents, it is also the most populous city in Virginia and is home to several state parks, a number of large corporations, a leading university, and many historic sites. Virginia Beach is also a military town, home to NAS Oceana (one of the Navy's four major jet bases), Fort Story, Camp Pendleton, Dam Neck Fleet Combat Training Center, and Little Creek Amphibious Base.
Near the point where the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet, Cape Henry was the site of the first landing of the English colonists bound for Jamestown on April 26, 1607. Virginia Beach is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as having the longest pleasure beach in the world and is located at the southern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, the longest bridge-tunnel complex in the world.
Most locals will tell you that the temperate and seasonal climate of Virginia Beach makes up for the threat of storms. While hurricanes are a legitimate concern, it should be noted that the city is geographically south of the average path of storms originating in the higher latitudes, and north of the usual tracks of hurricanes and other major tropical storms. With chilly (but rarely snowy!) winters, mild autumns, pleasant springs, and famously beautiful and warm summers, each season is enjoyable and ideal for vacationers and locals alike.
Outdoor lovers and "indoor folk" alike have plenty to keep busy with in Virginia Beach. For nature lovers, a day in Virginia Beach could include surfing, fishing, boating, bird-watching in several protected habitats, or hiking in state parks. Golf lovers can enjoy over 20 magnificent golf courses, including courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange, and Arnold Palmer. On an indoor day, families can enjoy the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, a tour of historic sites such as the Adam Thoroughgood House, or exploring the interesting Edgar Cayce Center for Research and Enlightenment.
The beautiful ocean can be enjoyed from the shore, or aboard one of many area pleasure cruises. There are dolphin and whale watching cruises, an inlet dinner cruise, and of course deep-sea fishing charters. Once a year along the famous Boardwalk, Virginia Beach celebrates its oceanfront area with the Neptune Festival, which features activities for the whole family, a sand-sculpting contest, sand soccer and volleyball tournaments, concerts, and a parade to top off the event. The Boardwalk also plays host to the annual Boardwalk Art Show, Rock N Roll Half Marathon, and on-going musical festivals and events.
The Virginia Beach Public School System includes 55 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 11 high schools. There are also several secondary and private schools in the city.
Most areas in Virginia Beach are within 10-20 minutes of the Norfolk International Airport that services the entire Hampton Roads area. The smaller Newport News/Williamsburg airport is less than an hour away.
Real estate prices and availability vary widely throughout the city, as every area within its limits has unique characteristics and style that influence the home values. Many home-buyers looking for a home by the sea find that Virginia Beach offers the best housing value dollar-for-dollar, as there is such a wide selection of neighborhoods and styles to choose from.
Virginia Beach Homes For Sale
What's My Virginia Beach Home Worth
|
by: Dave.Macklin on Jun 04, 2008 @ 11:53 am Leave a comment »
The Virginia Beach real estate market has it's fair share of luxury homes.They may not be ranches on hundreds of acres similar to the homes below, but the homes below don't have waterfront settings with breath taking views either. Take a look at the homes below and guess who owns each one...
This house is not situated in a Northern or Midwestern "snow belt" area. It's in the South.
|
House #1 A 20-room mansion (not including 8 bathrooms) heated by natural gas. Add on a pool (and a pool house) and a separate guest house, all heated by gas. In one month this residence consumes more energy than the average American household does in a year. The average bill for electricity and natural gas runs over $2400 per month. In natural gas alone, this property consumes more than 20 times the national average for an American home. |
by: Dave.Macklin on Jun 03, 2008 @ 7:21 am Leave a comment »
Part of its "Keys To Recovery" campaign, this initiative will apply to homebuyers all across the country, regardless of local market conditions. Since the biggest obstacle for many first-time home buyers is saving up enough money for a down payment, this is great news if you want to take advantage of the current Virginia Beach real estate market!
Read the full article here, and please email us at info@ButlerTeamHomes.com or call us at 866-222-0158 #550 if you need a referral to a reputable local lender! To learn more about Virginia Beach real estate, please visit ButlerTeamHomes.com, or search all Virginia Beach real estate and hopmes for sale!
Also read:
|
|
by: Dave.Macklin on May 28, 2008 @ 6:49 pm Leave a comment »
Virginia Beach Real Estate For Sale:3920 Whooping Crane Circle
For more information on 3920 Whooping Crance Circle, Aeries On the Bay or Virginia Beach real estate, visit ButlerTeamHomes.com. Search all Virginia Beach real estate listings. Also of interest:
|
|
by: Dave.Macklin on May 22, 2008 @ 7:59 am Leave a comment »
A flat pattern in Virginia Beach real estate sales activity could continue for the next couple months before improving over the summer, according to the latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors®. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the extent of an expected recovery hinges on better access to affordable loans. "Things are beginning to improve, but the availability of affordable mortgages is uneven around the country and sometimes within metropolitan areas," he said. "As anticipated, we continue to look for a soft first half of the year, for both housing and the economy, before notable improvements in the second half. Some time is needed for FHA and new conforming jumbo loans to become widely available." Let's take a look at the Virginia Beach real estate market activity for this April to see how the spring is looking so far:
|
|
by: Dave.Macklin on May 13, 2008 @ 11:26 am Leave a comment »
Parks not only provide refuge from the noise and bustle of the city, but they also strengthen neighborhoods, reduce pollution, and inspire lazy strolls and impromptu picnics. You might think rural towns and cities would top the list, but most of the 10 locations are more urban settings with an emphasis on parks. Parks are especially vital for densely populated urban areas, says Peter Harnik, director of the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land. “The more crowded a city is, the more important parks are,” he says. “Fewer and fewer people have their own private green space, so they depend on public space.”
|
If your dream retirement location includes an abundance of wide open spaces, Virginia Beach is for you! To begin your search for the perfect home or to sell your home in the Virginia Beach area,
call Dave Macklin and The Butler Team at 866-222-0158 #550.
This site is proudly sponsored by