The Best Deals in Hampton Roads Aren't at the Mall (End of Year Real Estate Update)
We all know the drill this time of year. The ads start playing, the "Black Friday" banners go up, and we convince ourselves that saving $50 on a blender is a major financial win.
But while everyone is distracted by retail sales, a different kind of market is quietly opening up—one with much bigger returns.
As a Real Estate Agent in Hampton Roads, I see the same pattern every year. The holiday season approaches, buyers get busy with travel and parties, and competition for homes drops significantly.
If you are looking to buy a home in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, or Chesapeake, this "seasonal distraction" is your biggest advantage. And unlike previous years where inventory was non-existent, the Late 2025 market is giving us something we haven't seen in a long time: Options.
1. Inventory is Up (You Finally Have Choices)
For the last few years, buying a home felt like fighting for the last TV on the shelf. That has changed.
According to the latest data from the Real Estate Information Network (REIN), active listings in Hampton Roads have increased approximately 17% year-over-year as we head into the winter season.¹
What does this mean for you?
• You aren't just seeing the "leftovers."
• There are more homes to tour in neighborhoods like Ghent and Larchmont.
• The "scarcity mindset" that forced buyers to make rash decisions is gone.
2. Time is On Your Side
In the peak of the frenzy, homes were selling in hours. Today, the median days on market in Hampton Roads has drifted up to approximately 30 days.¹
That might not sound like a long time, but in real estate, it’s the difference between a panic attack and a plan. You have time to inspect the home, check the flood zones, and actually sleep on the decision.
3. The "Hidden" Discounts: Rate Buy-Downs
Here is the data point that matters most for your wallet. While sticker prices in Hampton Roads have remained stable (increasing moderately by about 2-4% year-over-year)², the structure of the deals has changed.
We are seeing a massive shift toward seller concessions.
Instead of dropping the price by $10,000, smart buyers are asking sellers to use that money to buy down their interest rate. National surveys indicate nearly 46% of recent homebuyers are utilizing strategies like rate buy-downs or ARMs to lower their monthly payments.³
A lower purchase price is nice. A lower monthly payment is better. And right now, sellers are willing to negotiate those terms to get sold before the New Year.
The "Hampton Roads" Advantage
Whether you are looking for a historic home in Norfolk, a new build in Chesapeake, or a beach bungalow at the Oceanfront, the end of the year offers a unique window of opportunity.
Don't let the holiday chaos distract you from your 2025 goals. While others are waiting in line at the mall, let's get you in line for a deed and a set of keys.
Ready to see what’s on the market?
Stop searching alone. Let’s find a deal that actually pays you back.
Sources & Data References
To maintain transparency and trust, we utilize data from the following verified sources:
1. Hampton Roads Real Estate Inventory: Data regarding active listing increases (~17%) and median days on market (~30 days) sourced from REIN MLS (Real Estate Information Network) October/November 2025 Market Reports.
2. Price Stability: Year-over-year median sales price trends sourced from Virginia Realtors® Association market data.
3. Buyer Strategy Trends: Data regarding the usage of rate buy-downs and ARMs (46%) sourced from recent National Housing Surveys regarding 2025 buyer sentiment.
