A Variety To Meet Everyone’s Taste And Lifestyle

Homes are available in a variety of types, locations and price ranges.

Do Your Homework

•Determine what their housing needs and wants are. For example, a family may need four bedrooms and want to live near the water.

•Determine what type of housing is wanted.

•Determine how important it is to live near work sites and/or near schools.

•Get financial affairs in order. Develop a list that includes all bank accounts (with numbers and amounts), all debts (including to whom owed and the amount), and all income.

•Determine how much can be spent on a home. Individuals may consider pre-qualifying for a mortgage. VPAR is a good first step in beginning a house search. Its 1,300 members work in all cities and counties on the Peninsula.

Buying a home is one of the most anxiety-ridden parts of relocating. What type of home do we need? What price range can we afford? Where do we want to live? These are just a few of the real- estate questions filling the minds of newcomers.

The 630-square miles of the Peninsula are filled with a seemingly countless variety of homes in price ranges of less that $30,000 to more than $250,000 with an average price of about $110,000. Starter and fixer-upper homes are available as well as quality homes featuring just the right kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms , with amenities to suit all needs.

Because of the Peninsula’s long history, new residents can choose old farm houses, 19th-century homes and unique houses built in every decade since the turn of the century. An endless variety of new home sites and planned unit developments for everyone’s taste and pocketbook can be found.

The eastern end of Victoria Boulevard in Hampton features Victorian homes with high ceilings, parlors, fireplaces in bedrooms and walk-around front porches. Hilton Village in midtown Newport News is on the Federal Register of Historic Sites. Its single family and duplex stucco homes were part of the federal government’s first attempts to provide housing, built just after World War I for the influx of military and workers at Northrop Grumman Newport News.

Area realtors believe the housing market will continue to be strong. According to statistics from the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors, over 4,500 residential homes are sold on the Peninsula every year. Furthermore, housing purchase will continue as consumers take advantage of singledigit mortgage rates, the lowest in about 15 years. “Home ownership will continue to be a much sought after component of Peninsula