The tourists have gone, children and educators are back in school, birds are flying south, the leaves are beginning to turn, and Virginia Beach is a place of serenity and beauty. Beach walkers and shell seekers have the sand to themselves. Boardwalk bicyclists and skaters can concentrate on the scenery rather than throngs of pedestrians. Shoppers can casually browse in uncrowded conditions. Traffic eases. Restaurants offer specials for the locals, and lines for a table are nonexistent.

And home sellers are growing nervous.

As summer turns to fall and fall to winter, real estate activity lessens, and sales decrease–in price and number. The allure of the ocean and a resort town and the desire to live in such surroundings are not as strong when the temperature is in the 60’s and the kids are already settled in their schools, so the urge to buy Virginia Beach real estate also wanes or gets lost in the demands of the often hectic holidays.

For the seller, this is bad news. For the purchaser, however, the time is right!

At the Beach in the Off Season

As many residents have discovered, living “at the beach” in the “off season” offers the same advantages as during the summer. Virginia Beach is bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay and is the home of First Landing Sate Park. Naval bases and medical facilities are numerous and first-rate. Shopping venues include medium-sized and large malls, small, specialized stores, and , of course, beach “boutiques.“ In addition, the number and variety of restaurants is amazing–seafood, steak, tapas, and ethnic offerings in settings ranging from downright cheap and casual to high end in both price and ambiance. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel offers easy access to the Eastern Shore, and major highways facilitate out-of-town travel. The schools are great, the people relaxed–who wouldn’t want to live here?

So, back to buying Virginia Beach real estate at this time. Prices and interest rates are low. Sellers are anxious for a sale, especially knowing that winter is fast approaching, and therefore they are much more likely to favorably negotiate with you. Lenders are feeling the pinch of a slowing season, too, and they want your business. Because there won’t be a backlog, key steps in the home buying process (loan approval, inspections, settlement details) can be facilitated and will move more quickly. Also, moving companies are not busy at this time and can thus better accommodate your needs in terms of dates and price.

In short, the time is right. Be thankful for conditions that benefit you, the buyer, and give yourself the gift of Virginia Beach real estate!

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