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One of the best parts about living in Virginia Beach is that there are plenty of restaurants where the whole family can enjoy a meal together. As parents know, finding a spot with good food is only half the battle. The real win is finding a restaurant where the kids can stay entertained while the adults actually get to enjoy their meal.

Whether you're looking for pizza, seafood, ice cream, or a casual outdoor atmosphere, here are some of our favorite family-friendly restaurants in Virginia Beach.

Wiseguy Pizza at Atlantic Park: If you're looking for a restaurant that combines great food with built-in entertainment, Wiseguy Pizza at Atlantic Park is hard to beat. The pizza is excellent, but what really makes this spot special for families is everything surrounding it. After dinner, kids can walk around Atlantic Park, explore the outdoor spaces, and watch surfers ride the waves at the new surf park. It's an easy way to turn a simple dinner into a fun family outing.

Sage Kitchen: Sage Kitchen has become a favorite for many local families, and for good reason. The menu offers something for everyone, from healthy options to comfort-food favorites, and the on-site playground is a huge bonus. Parents can enjoy a meal while the kids burn off some energy, making this a stress-free option for lunch or dinner.

Commonwealth Brewing, Smartmouth Brewing, and Other Local Breweries: Many Virginia Beach breweries have become surprisingly family-friendly gathering spots. Places like Commonwealth Brewing and Smartmouth Brewing often feature spacious outdoor seating, lawn games, food trucks, and plenty of room for kids to move around. While the adults enjoy a local craft beverage, the kids can stay occupied with games and open-air spaces. These spots are especially popular during the warmer months when families want to enjoy Virginia Beach's beautiful weather.

Taste on Shore Drive: Taste has long been a Shore Drive favorite, and it's easy to see why. The casual atmosphere, picnic-table seating, and outdoor games create a relaxed environment that's perfect for families. There's plenty of room for kids to move around while parents enjoy sandwiches and other local favorites. If you're spending the day near the Chesapeake Bay beaches, Taste makes an excellent stop for lunch or dinner.

Surf Rider: For families looking for fresh seafood in a laid-back environment, Surf Rider is always a solid choice. The casual coastal atmosphere makes it welcoming for children, and the menu offers plenty of options for both adventurous and picky eaters. It's one of those local restaurants that feels uniquely Virginia Beach and continues to be a go-to spot for many families.

Shorebreak Pizza: Pizza nights are always a hit, and Shorebreak Pizza adds an extra layer of fun. In addition to serving great pizza, the restaurant features a small arcade that keeps kids entertained before and after the meal. It's a simple addition, but one that makes dining out with children much easier and more enjoyable.

Gerald's Ice Cream: No family restaurant list would be complete without dessert. Gerald's Ice Cream is one of our favorite local spots for a sweet treat. The cookie dough ice cream is a huge hit with kids, while parents often gravitate toward the affogatos. It's the perfect place to stop after dinner, a beach day, or a weekend outing around Virginia Beach.

One of the things we love most about Virginia Beach is the strong sense of community and the incredible variety of local businesses that make this city such a great place to live.

As local Realtors, we spend a lot of time helping people discover not just homes, but neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, coffee shops, and all the places that make Virginia Beach special.

If you're considering buying or selling a home in Virginia Beach, we'd be happy to help you navigate the local market and connect you with the community resources that make living here so enjoyable.

John Powers

Powers & Rawls | BHHS RW Towne Realty

Text HOME to 757-797-5797 to start the conversation.

If you've spent any time reading headlines about real estate lately, you've probably seen plenty of discussion about mortgage rates.

Many buyers feel stuck waiting for rates to come down before making a move. It's understandable. When people hear that rates are hovering around 6% to 7%, it can sound high compared to what we saw just a few years ago.

But here's an important question:

Are today's mortgage rates actually high, or do they only feel high because of what we've recently experienced?

If you're comparing today's rates to the record lows of 2020 and 2021, then yes, today's rates are higher.

During that period, many buyers secured mortgage rates below 3%, creating one of the most unusual lending environments in modern history. Those rates helped fuel a surge in home purchases, refinancing activity, and rising home values across the country.

The challenge is that many people have started viewing those historically low rates as "normal."

In reality, they were anything but normal.

When we zoom out and look at mortgage rates over the past 50 years, the picture changes significantly.

Throughout much of the 1980s, mortgage rates frequently exceeded 10%, and at times climbed well above that level. Homebuyers were still purchasing homes, building equity, and creating long-term wealth despite those higher borrowing costs.

In fact, the long-term historical average mortgage rate is roughly around 7%.

Viewed through that lens, today's rates are much closer to historical norms than many people realize.

But this doesn't mean affordability isn't a concern.

For many buyers, affordability is the biggest challenge in today's market.

The difference is that today's affordability issues aren't driven by interest rates alone. Home prices have increased substantially over the last several years, meaning monthly payments are often higher even when rates are within historical averages.

That's why focusing solely on mortgage rates can sometimes distract buyers from the bigger picture.

The question isn't simply:

"What is the interest rate?"

The more important question is:

"Can this purchase fit comfortably within my financial goals and monthly budget?"

One of the most common things we hear from buyers is: "We're going to wait until rates come back down."

The reality is that nobody knows exactly where rates will go next.

Could they decline? Absolutely.

Could they remain relatively stable? That's possible too.

What many buyers don't realize is that waiting for rates to return to the ultra-low levels of 2020 and 2021 may mean sitting on the sidelines for years, potentially missing opportunities along the way.

If rates eventually decrease, buyers who purchased sooner often have the option to refinance. But if home prices continue rising, waiting can sometimes result in paying more for the same home later.

Every situation is different, which is why personal financial goals matter more than trying to perfectly time the market.

The buyers having the most success in today's market aren't trying to predict every interest rate movement.

Instead, they're focusing on the factors they can control:

Their Budget: Understanding what monthly payment feels comfortable and sustainable.

Their Down Payment: Exploring how different down payment amounts affect monthly costs and loan terms.

Their Loan Options: Comparing financing programs and working with trusted lending professionals to find the best fit.

Finding the Right Home: Being prepared to act when the right opportunity becomes available.

Today's mortgage rates may feel high compared to the historic lows of a few years ago, but they're not unusually high when viewed in the context of long-term housing history.

The most important decision isn't whether rates are high or low. It's whether buying a home makes sense for your financial situation, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

If you're curious about what today's rates would mean for your specific circumstances, let's have a conversation. A quick discussion can help you understand your options and determine whether now is the right time for you to make a move.

John Powers
757-797-5797

Text HOME to 757-797-5797 to get started on your real estate goals.

There’s a lot happening across the 757 this spring, and it’s one of the best times of year to get out and enjoy everything Virginia Beach has to offer. Whether you’re local, new to the area, or considering a move, here are a few standout events and seasonal favorites worth adding to your calendar.

Now Open: Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at Virginia Wesleyan

The new MOCA location at Virginia Wesleyan University is officially open. Expect a fresh, modern space with rotating exhibitions and a stronger connection to the local arts community. If you haven’t been in a while, this is a good reason to go.

Every Saturday: Old Beach Farmers Market

A staple in the ViBe Creative District, this farmers market runs Saturdays from 9 AM to 12 PM. You’ll find local produce, baked goods, flowers, and small-batch vendors. It’s a simple way to ease into the weekend and support local businesses.

Strawberry Season in Pungo

Pick-your-own strawberry season is opening across farms in Pungo. Timing can vary slightly depending on weather, but early May is typically peak. If you’re planning to go, aim for earlier in the day and check each farm’s hours before heading out.

May 9: Swan Lake at Chrysler Hall

A classic performance of Swan Lake with a live orchestra is coming to Chrysler Hall. It’s a strong option for a date night or something a little different from the usual weekend plans.

June 1: Summer Movie Nights at The Cavalier Hotel

Monday night movie series kicks off with Jumanji. Outdoor movies at the Cavalier are a relaxed way to spend an evening, especially once the weather settles into summer.

June 5: Live Music at The Dome

Marcus King is performing live at The Dome. If you haven’t checked out the venue yet, this is a solid opportunity. The space has quickly become a major draw for touring artists.

Why This Matters (Especially if You’re Considering a Move)

A list of events is helpful, but the bigger picture is what it says about the area. Virginia Beach isn’t just seasonal tourism. There’s consistent activity, local culture, and community-driven events that make it feel lived-in year-round.

If you’re thinking about moving here in 2026, this is the kind of lifestyle you’re buying into. Not just a home, but access to things to do, places to go, and a rhythm that feels full without being overwhelming.

Need Local Recommendations?

I’m John Powers, your go-to Virginia Beach Realtor and unofficial neighborhood guide. Our team helps clients navigate everything from homes for sale to where to grab coffee on a Sunday morning.

If you’re looking for:

• A good brunch spot

• Date night ideas

• Kid-friendly activities

• Neighborhood insights before you move

Reach out. We’ll point you in the right direction.

John Powers

Powers & Rawls | BHHS RW Towne Realty

757-797-5797

When you’re under contract on a home, one of the most important steps in the process is the appraisal. This is especially critical for buyers using financing, since lenders rely on the appraised value to determine how much they’re willing to lend.

But what happens if the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed-upon sales price?

Why the Appraisal Matters

An appraisal is an independent, third-party assessment of a home’s market value. Lenders use it to confirm that the property is worth the amount being financed.

If the appraisal comes in at or above the contract price, the transaction moves forward as planned.

If it comes in low, the lender will typically only finance based on the appraised value, not the agreed purchase price.

That creates a gap that needs to be addressed before closing.

Your Options When an Appraisal Comes in Low

At that point, both the buyer and seller have a few paths forward:

1. The Seller Lowers the Price

The seller can agree to reduce the purchase price to match the appraised value.

This is often the simplest solution, but not every seller is willing to do it, especially in a competitive market.

2. The Buyer Covers the Difference

The buyer can bring additional cash to closing to make up the gap between the appraised value and the contract price.

This option works best for buyers who have strong liquidity and want to keep the deal intact.

3. Both Parties Renegotiate

In many cases, the buyer and seller meet somewhere in the middle.

This shared compromise can help keep the transaction moving without placing the full burden on one side.

4. The Buyer Walks Away

Depending on the contract terms, the buyer may have the option to terminate the agreement without penalty if the appraisal contingency is in place.

If the seller isn’t willing to adjust and the buyer can’t bridge the gap, this may be the final outcome.

Can You Challenge a Low Appraisal?

Yes, in some cases. If there are clear inaccuracies or better comparable sales available, your agent and lender can request a reconsideration of value. However, changes are not guaranteed, and timelines can be tight.

Why This Situation Requires Strategy

A low appraisal doesn’t automatically mean the deal is dead, but it does introduce a negotiation point that requires careful handling.

This is where experience matters:

• Understanding local market data and comparable sales

• Structuring offers with appraisal risk in mind

• Navigating negotiations to protect your position

• Keeping the transaction together when challenges arise

Appraisal gaps are not uncommon, especially in shifting or competitive markets. The key is knowing your options ahead of time and having a clear plan if the situation arises.

Whether you’re buying or selling, the right guidance can make the difference between a deal falling apart and a successful closing.

If you have questions about how appraisals impact your home sale or purchase in the Virginia Beach area, reach out anytime.

John Powers

Powers & Rawls | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty

757-797-5797

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably noticed that mortgage rates don’t stay still for long. They rise, fall, and sometimes shift quickly, which can make timing a purchase feel confusing. The reason behind this is fairly straightforward. Mortgage rates are driven by the overall cost of borrowing money in the economy, and that cost is influenced by several key forces working together.

One of the biggest influences is the Federal Reserve. While the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, it does control a key short-term interest rate that affects how expensive it is for banks to borrow money. When the Fed raises or lowers this rate, it impacts borrowing costs across the entire economy, along with consumer confidence and expectations about future inflation. Over time, mortgage rates tend to follow those broader trends.

Inflation is another major factor. When inflation is high, the value of money decreases over time, which means lenders need to charge higher interest rates to protect the value of the money they’re lending. On the other hand, when inflation begins to cool, mortgage rates often ease as well. In simple terms, higher inflation usually leads to higher mortgage rates, while lower inflation can help bring rates down.

Mortgage rates are also closely tied to the bond market, especially the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. Investors often compare mortgage-backed investments to government bonds, so when bond yields rise, mortgage rates typically rise alongside them. When investors become more cautious and move money into safer assets like Treasury bonds, yields tend to fall, and mortgage rates often follow.

Supply and demand play a role too. When more buyers are actively looking to borrow, lenders have less incentive to offer lower rates. When demand slows, lenders may adjust rates to stay competitive and attract more borrowers. While this factor is less visible, it still contributes to how rates shift over time.

Risk is another piece of the equation. During periods of economic uncertainty, lenders tend to become more cautious. They may raise rates or tighten lending standards to account for the increased risk of borrowers defaulting. In more stable conditions, lending becomes more competitive, which can help keep rates in check.

For buyers, these rate changes have a direct impact on affordability. When rates go up, monthly payments increase, and you may qualify for a lower purchase price. When rates go down, payments become more manageable, and your buying power increases. However, lower rates often bring more competition into the market, which can drive home prices higher.

What does a 1% rate change actually mean?

Let’s make this real with a simple example.

Assume:

• Purchase price: $500,000

• Down payment: 20% ($100,000)

• Loan amount: $400,000

• Loan type: 30-year fixed mortgage

Now compare two scenarios:

At 6% interest:

• Monthly principal + interest ≈ $2,398

At 7% interest:

• Monthly principal + interest ≈ $2,661

Difference: $263 per month

That may not sound huge at first, but here’s the bigger picture:

• $263 × 12 months = $3,156 more per year

• Over 30 years = $94,680 more paid in interest

Same house. Same price. Just a 1% difference in rate.

This is why even small rate changes matter. They directly impact both your monthly payment and your long-term cost.

The key thing to understand is that mortgage rates don’t move randomly. They respond to inflation, economic growth, government policy, and investor behavior. They also tend to move based on expectations about the future, not just what’s happening today, which is why rates can shift even before major news headlines appear.

Instead of trying to perfectly time the market, a more effective approach is to focus on what you can comfortably afford and make a decision based on your current situation. If rates improve later, refinancing is always an option. But the price you pay for a home is fixed the moment you buy, which makes timing the purchase itself just as important as the interest rate.

If you’re thinking about selling your home in Virginia Beach this year, there’s something important to understand:

Your buyer may already be watching.

Over the past 90 days alone, our real estate content has reached over 132,000 people on Instagram, along with:

• 35k+ views on YouTube

• 17k+ views on Facebook

That’s a large, engaged audience of potential buyers before a home ever officially hits the market. Your listing doesn’t start on the MLS anymore. There was a time when listing a home meant putting it on the MLS and waiting for buyers to come to you, but that’s no longer how this market works.

Today, buyers are discovering homes online first. They are scrolling, saving, sharing, and forming opinions before they ever schedule a showing. The digital presentation of your home directly impacts:

• Who shows up

• How serious they are

• What they’re willing to offer

When we bring a home to market, we treat it like a launch, not a listing. When you list with us, your home is immediately introduced to:

• 2,200+ Instagram followers

• 50,000+ monthly content viewers

• 1,400+ email subscribers

• Our private network of active buyers

This early exposure creates momentum and gets your home in front of the right people quickly.

But exposure alone isn’t enough. Strategy is what actually gets your home sold. Views don’t sell homes. Strategy does. Our focus is not just generating attention, but converting that attention into:

• Serious, qualified showings

• Competitive offers

• Strong negotiating leverage

Without a clear strategy, even a high number of views can fall flat. The goal is to attract the right buyers, not just more buyers.

Every home we represent is positioned intentionally to stand out in the market. That includes:

• Strategic pricing
• Pricing designed to generate interest and competition, not sit stagnant.
• Launch timing
• Bringing your home to market at the right moment to maximize demand.
• Professional presentation
• Staging, high-end photography, and video that make buyers stop scrolling and take action.
• Targeted follow-up
• Direct outreach to interested buyers and agents to drive stronger engagement and offers.

Anyone can list a home. We focus on positioning it to sell.

The way your home is marketed directly impacts:

• How quickly it sells

• The strength of the offers you receive

• The terms you’re able to negotiate

A passive approach can cost you time and money. A strategic approach creates leverage.

Thinking about selling? If you’re considering selling your home in Virginia Beach this year, the first step is understanding how it should be positioned in today’s market. We’ll walk you through exactly how we would market your home to stand out, attract qualified buyers, and maximize your result.

Reach out to start the conversation.

John Powers

Powers & Rawls | BHHS RW Towne Realty

757-797-5797

We pulled the last 6 months of sales data from these neighborhoods, here’s what we got! 

Alanton – $1,420,889

North End – $1,283,075

Bay Colony – $2,298,125

Princess Anne Hills – $1,252,500

Asheville Park – $442,286

Baycliff – $908,750

Birdneck Point – $1,572,564

Shadowlawn – $590,373

Laurel Cove – $593,200

Great Neck Farms – $656,633

Great Neck Meadows – $745,500

Thoroughgood – $725,814

The median home price in Virginia Beach (overall) is sitting around $529K, showing continued demand as we head into the peak spring market.

What does that mean for you?

Sellers: Home values remain strong, and with more buyers re-entering the market as interest rates ease, this could be a prime window to list before inventory rises.

Buyers: Prices are steady, but shifts in interest rates can impact your monthly payment more than price alone. Getting prepped now puts you in a stronger position as competition picks up.

The spring market is moving, are you ready to make your move?!

Call or text me anytime to talk strategy!

John Powers
Powers & Rawls | BHHS RW Towne Realty
757-797-5797

P.S. If this price seems high to you, DON’T WORRY! There are plenty of homes at BOTH ends of the spectrum. 

If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, spring is often considered the strongest season to enter the market. As temperatures warm and the housing market becomes more active, sellers typically benefit from increased buyer demand, stronger competition, and homes that simply show better.

Here are three key reasons spring can be an ideal time to sell.

1. Buyer Activity Increases in the Spring

Historically, buyer demand begins rising as winter ends. Warmer weather encourages more people to start touring homes, attending open houses, and actively searching for a property.

Several factors drive this seasonal trend:

• Families often want to move before the next school year begins.

• Longer daylight hours make it easier to schedule showings.

• Many buyers pause their search during the winter holidays and restart in the spring.

According to the National Association of Realtors, home buying activity typically accelerates beginning in March and continues through the summer months. This seasonal increase means more potential buyers are actively looking at listings.
Source: National Association of Realtors

2. More Buyers Often Means More Competition

When more buyers enter the market at the same time, competition tends to increase. This can work in a seller’s favor in several ways:

• More showings and buyer interest

• A greater likelihood of multiple offers

• Stronger negotiating leverage

In competitive spring markets, it is not uncommon for well-prepared homes to receive several offers shortly after listing. When buyers know other people are interested in the same property, they may submit stronger offers in order to secure the home.

3. Homes Naturally Show Better in the Spring

Spring also tends to be the most visually appealing time to list a property.

Landscaping begins to come back to life:

• Trees regain their leaves

• Flowers start blooming

• Lawns turn green again

Natural light also improves during this season, which enhances photography, video tours, and in-person showings. These visual factors play a meaningful role in how buyers perceive a home both online and during walkthroughs.

A property that feels bright, fresh, and welcoming often creates a stronger first impression.

Thinking about selling this spring?

If you’re considering selling your home in the Virginia Beach area, the spring market can offer a strong opportunity to attract serious buyers and maximize interest in your property.

Every home and neighborhood is different, so having the right pricing and marketing strategy is essential. If you’d like to discuss what your home might sell for in today’s market, feel free to reach out.

Call or text: 757-797-5797