Virginia Real Estate For Sale

Virginia is a state known for its history, including places like Williamsburg, where visitors can experience a colonial lifestyle for the day. Homes for sale in Virginia reflect the state’s rich culture and how it has changed over time over time, with different styles reflecting the fashion of the time in which they were built. For example, suburbs like Arlington are likely to have Tudor Revivals that were popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

You’ll also find various Virginia real estate like Colonial Revival homes, American foursquares, and bungalows throughout the state. Part of the variety is also a result of the state’s geography, which includes everything from rolling farmlands that call for cabins to beaches peppered with waterfront homes. Real estate in Virginia reflects the state’s unique combination of landscapes, history, and populations.

Whatever your taste is in architecture, Virginia real estate has experienced growth across the state, with rural areas experiencing recent spikes in population. The average home price in the Virginia real estate market is just under $450,000, putting it above the national average but below surrounding metropolitan areas, especially Washington D.C., where many residents commute. Affordable Virginia real estate is often found in these so-called “Zoom Towns,” in small cities like Falls Church and even more rural areas in the mountains.

But Virginia also has bustling cities for those who want a more urban experience, like Arlington. Because of Arlington’s proximity to the nation’s capital, it is home to many people’s secondary homes, which means a higher concentration of condominiums and apartments as opposed to large family homes. These areas of more multi-family units are the anomaly, though, with over 60% of the real estate in Virginia consisting of single-family detached units with an average of 5 rooms each.

The education system in Virginia is consistently rated in the United States’ top ten states, with students performing above average in nearly every subject and grade level. This is partly due to the rigor of the Virginia Department of Education, which maintains an assessment and accreditation program called the Standards of Learning across 134 school divisions, 1900 schools, and over one million students.

Access to an exceptional education in Virginia starts early, with a well-funded pre-kindergarten program available to many residents. Once primary education begins, families have not only the option of high-quality public schools, but also charter schools, special education centers, magnet schools, and something known as Governor’s Schools. The latter is a collection of more than 40 regional high schools and summer programs designed for gifted students. The state also has a comprehensive program called Virginia Virtual for online classes available to public school attendees and homeschooled students.

Virginia real estate has access to 167 colleges and universities, including the renowned University of Virginia and The College of William & Mary. It also boasts a number of superlative institutions, like the number one regional public Master’s university in the South, the number one public university in Fine Arts, and the oldest state military college.

Virginia has nine commercial use airports, including Norfolk International Airport and Richmond International Airport. 

No matter where you buy real estate in Virginia, you won't run out of places to visit. The biggest attractions in Virginia include places to enjoy the scenery, like Shenandoah State Park, Skyline Drive, and the beaches across the state’s coast. Many people also enjoy the historical areas of the state like Mount Vernon or even the immersive experience at Colonial Williamsburg. Arlington National Cemetery also draws many visitors who want to pay respects to the nation’s soldiers.

Retirees flock to Virginia real estate for the state's low cost of living, good housing, and low crime rates. Its central location also means that it is easy for Virginians to visit family from a central location or have them visit and enjoy the state.

Virginia is known to be one of the safest states in the nation, coming in 6th for its statewide crime rate. This is also the lowest state when it comes to crime in the South and has a property crime rate well below the national average.

Virginia is often known for its population of active military, veterans, and political figures. Some of the largest employers in the state are the government and government contractors, but there is plenty of work in the private sector as well. In fact, 21 companies in the Fortune 500 have offices in the state. The high number of schools and world-class medical facilities also provide huge opportunities for residents to find work in Virginia. With so many options, it is no wonder the unemployment rate consistently falls below the national average.

In many ways, living in Virginia is the best of many worlds. It offers the hospitality and community of a Southern state while sitting on the eastern coastline, has everything from the mountains to the beach, and has both historical relics and modern inventions. This variety means that life in the state can be many things, and there are endless opportunities for those who are planning to buy Virginia real estate!

When it comes to residents, Virginia is home to people from all walks of life but is often known for two populations in particular. The state has a large military presence, including 27 military bases where all military branches operate. Between these bases and the state’s large veteran population, a strong military culture contributes to the state’s high safety ratings. Alongside these groups, Virginia is also home to a large portion of the people who work in Washington D.C., with the city accessible by either train or car.

Virginia’s variety is reflected in even the weather, where all four seasons cycle through regularly, though different areas of the state have different experiences. Winters in the Southeastern part of the state and the Eastern Shore are about 40 degrees on average, while the mountains typically see temperatures closer to 0 degrees. The mountains also have more extreme summers, with an average of 90 degrees, while the coast brings enough breeze for an average of 75.

While we think of California as the country’s wine origin, Virginia was the first wine-growing area in the country. The countryside has over 300 wineries and numerous award-winning wines where you can spend your weekend strolling, sipping, and enjoying the beautiful view. The same areas are full of apple orchards, where you can spend the day picking fruit and enjoying treats like apple cider doughnuts.

Outside of the countryside, food in Virginia varies by location. Since Virginia is considered a southern state, you’ll find plenty of the classics like barbeque, fried chicken, and sweet tea throughout the state. But as you move toward the coastline, freshly caught seafood becomes more popular, and you may spot your fair share of low country boils.

While there is more than enough to do wherever you buy real estate in Virginia, the state is also known as a hotspot for commutes and travel. In fact, 50% of the country’s population is within one day’s drive of the state. But more commonly, people in Virginia commute to surrounding areas like Washington D.C. or simply from rural areas to local cities. Because of the amount of travel sourced in Virginia, the state has exceptional public transportation systems that are relatively low in cost.

Many of Virginia’s biggest attractions focus on the history of the state. You can visit Mount Vernon, the former plantation of George Washington that is now a National Historic Landmark, or Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to soldiers as far back as The Civil War. For those who want a more immersive experience, Colonial Williamsburg offers an outdoor living museum where you can experience the life of the country’s earliest settlers. Virginia also houses the world’s only Oyster museum, which focuses on the historical role of islanders in the state.

Virginia real estate is surrounded by beautiful scenery, including Shenandoah National Park, which is nearly 200,000 acres of waterfalls, vistas, wildflowers, and wooded hollows. Part of the park includes the Blue Ridge Mountains, with plenty of hiking trails and fishing spots for everyone to enjoy.  

For something else, you can visit Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, a 422-acre amusement park that includes the largest water park in the state, a floorless roller coaster, and many other thrill rides.