Buyers waterfront Tidewater /On November 10, 2026

Investing in a waterfront getaway in Tidewater Virginia

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You’ve always dreamed of owning a home on the water, but maybe you’ve been putting it off until retirement. What if you didn’t have to wait that long?

Buying a waterfront getaway now could give you a place to spend weekends, enjoy vacations with family and friends and experience waterfront living long before you retire.

And when the time comes to retire, you can make the home you’ve already spent years enjoying your permanent residence.

With waterfront communities throughout Tidewater Virginia, you have plenty of places to choose from to make that dream a reality.

Why buying a waterfront home before retirement could make sense

shutterstock_1556413154 Buying your future retirement home while you’re still working has some practical advantages.

For one, you may have more flexibility when it comes to financing. If you’re still earning a steady income, it could be easier to qualify for a mortgage than it would be after retirement, depending on your financial situation.

Buying early also gives you time to make improvements to the property. Whether you want to update the kitchen, replace an aging dock or make the home more accessible, you can spread those projects out over several years instead of tackling everything at once.

Another potential benefit is the ability to rent out the property when you’re not using it. Income from long-term or short-term rentals could help cover your mortgage, property taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses.

Consider Virginia’s Northern Neck for your waterfront getaway

3d Northern Neck Located between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers, with the Chesapeake Bay to the east, Virginia’s Northern Neck is known for its scenic waterways, small towns and laid-back atmosphere.

It’s also a great place to consider for a second home, with relatively affordable waterfront properties and a peaceful setting where you can spend weekends boating, fishing, kayaking or simply relaxing.

Towns such as Kilmarnock, Irvington, White Stone, Reedville and Colonial Beach offer different settings and lifestyles. You’ll find homes along rivers, sheltered creeks and quiet coves, including smaller cottages that may be more affordable than those in some of Tidewater’s more developed waterfront communities.

The Northern Neck is also a convenient getaway for people living in other parts of Virginia, such as Richmond, Williamsburg, the Middle Peninsula and Hampton Roads.

Here are approximate driving times to Kilmarnock in the Northern Neck:

Richmond: 1.5 hours
Williamsburg: 1.5 hours
Gloucester: 45 minutes
Newport News: 1.25 hours
Virginia Beach: 2 hours

Understanding the costs of owning a second home

Owning a waterfront home may come with expenses you didn’t expect.

For example, if the property has a private dock or bulkhead, those structures will need regular maintenance and could eventually require expensive repairs or replacement. Homes along tidal waterways may also need additional attention because of exposure to saltwater, moisture and storms.

Insurance is another important thing to consider. Standard homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover flood damage, so you may need a separate flood insurance policy. Depending on the property’s location, you could also face higher insurance premiums or windstorm deductibles.

If you’re planning to rent out the home when you’re not using it, you’ll need to prepare for other expenses. Short-term rentals often involve cleaning between guests, furnishing the property and paying property management fees. Long-term rentals may have fewer turnovers, but you’ll still need to budget for repairs and periods when the property is vacant. You’ll also want to make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage for whichever rental arrangement you choose.

For properties that will be vacant for stretches of time, you may also need to budget for someone to look after the home. Lawn care, routine property checks and occasional maintenance visits can add to the cost of owning a second home.

Find your waterfront getaway with Liz Moore & Associates

Ready to find your waterfront weekend getaway? Liz Moore & Associates has agents throughout Tidewater Virginia who can help you find the right home.

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You can also browse current waterfront listings throughout the region in our free digital Waterfront Property magazine.

To learn more about buying and owning a home on the water in Tidewater Virginia, download our free waterfront guide below.

Nikko Stuart

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About the company

Liz Moore & Associates is a boutique real estate agency renowned for having the region's top agents, with extensive market knowledge and local expertise that is only achieved through relentless training coupled with Liz's extremely high standards for professionalism. When you're buying or selling a home, experience matters.