Thoughts on a vacation home in VA Northern Neck?

[Anonymous]

Hire a boat first before buying one.

We have a place on the water and had originally planned to get a boat. But we have noticed that many of our neighbors use their boats just a handful of times a year, or even less.

So, I suspect the idea of owning a boat is more attractive than the reality to many people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hire a boat first before buying one.

We have a place on the water and had originally planned to get a boat. But we have noticed that many of our neighbors use their boats just a handful of times a year, or even less.

So, I suspect the idea of owning a boat is more attractive than the reality to many people.

PP who said to get a boat. You're probably right. I agree that the vast majority of boats never get used. We are the rare exception who puts over a hundred hours a year on the engine.

That said, I still think she should definitely see the different options by water before buying. Prices on these places are high now, and the demand will settle as more and more people get vaccinated and start to return to their pre-COVID lives of travel soccer. So there's no rush to buy at this point.

[Anonymous]

PP who asked about different towns..we already have a boat. DH wants to get a place with an existing dock. I like Reedville area, definitely seems quiet!

[Anonymous]

We just spent a long weekend down at Belle Isle State Park near Kilmarnock and really liked it. The beach at Hughlett Point in the Chesapeake Bay was gorgeous and absolutely deserted...which seemed ideal until I fell into some quicksand up to my thighs!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just spent a long weekend down at Belle Isle State Park near Kilmarnock and really liked it. The beach at Hughlett Point in the Chesapeake Bay was gorgeous and absolutely deserted...which seemed ideal until I fell into some quicksand up to my thighs!!!

Where did you stay?

[Anonymous]

During the on-season, can you get an Uber (or similar) from Weems or White Stone to go to the brewery in Kilmarnock or out to dinner?

[Anonymous]

Hi, all. When in Kilmarnock, White Stone, and Irvington over the weekend I was pleased to see a lot of mask wearing. Hoping this is the norm. We are a bit anxious because some in our family at at higher risk of bad outcomes if they got Covid. Where would you go if you tested positive and got sick? Local hospital (Rappahanock) or run over to Richmond to go to VCU (which seems to be active in Covid therapy research), or would you aim for Fredericksburg or Williamsburg? Best option would be to head home, but for us it is 2.45 hours, which may be tough.

[Anonymous]

Re-upping this conversation for people who know the area - are there good places for buying crabs by the bushel and/or fresh unshucked local oysters?

[Anonymous]

Any airbnb/vrbo hosts, is this area profitable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like the internet provider is Atlantic Broadband. Anyone have any experience with them? Would need to have our two kids on virtual school while we work when there for a long weekend or whatever, so high-speed Internet is a must-have.

We use Verizon JetPack (sp?). Our house is directly on the Rappahannock, between Kilmarnock and Irvington. We have not had any problems with the JetPack except during things like hurricanes or other big storms, which pretty much adversely impacted everyone anyways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any airbnb/vrbo hosts, is this area profitable?

I'm in Colonial Beach and make 5x my mortgage in the summer, break even in the slowest winter months. That said, everyone and their Mother has an AirBNB now.

[Anonymous]

In case someone finds this in a search: We just returned from Reedville and the smell from the fish processing plant has been oppressive the past few days. This area is quaint and pretty, but if you are downwind from the plant, it's like being strangled with a rotting cod.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a waterfront vacation home in the Northern Neck. It’s in Weems, on both the Corrotoman and Rappahannock Rivers. It’s near Kilmarnock, Irvington & White Stone, not far from the Bay. Anyone have thoughts on the area? It looks beautiful and serene. Is there anything we should consider, from the perspective of those who have more experience?

Weems is a nice area. My advice is to buy a boat as soon as possible and embrace the boating culture. Make sure your property can be accessed easily by boat (adequate water depth, etc.) Also understand that there are fewer choices and options for everything down there. Make sure you have a good internet provider (not satellite). Also, many businesses are seasonal and repairmen, plumbers, etc. often take days off during hunting season or fishing tournaments and are unavailable when you need them.

Thought of a few more things ... buy a whole house generator b/c you will lose power frequently and without one you will have no (well) water.
Line up a local handyman/painter/landscaper who you trust and can call on to check on your property after storms and clean up trees, debris, etc.
Make sure you either winterize your property (turn off the water) or install a water leak detector with auto water shut off.

Sounds like one GIANT headache.

+1 and a money pit. 💰

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case someone finds this in a search: We just returned from Reedville and the smell from the fish processing plant has been oppressive the past few days. This area is quaint and pretty, but if you are downwind from the plant, it's like being strangled with a rotting cod.

Yes you need to choose your Reedville property carefully. It’s a large area and many lots will never or very rarely get the smell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In case someone finds this in a search: We just returned from Reedville and the smell from the fish processing plant has been oppressive the past few days. This area is quaint and pretty, but if you are downwind from the plant, it's like being strangled with a rotting cod.

Yes you need to choose your Reedville property carefully. It’s a large area and many lots will never or very rarely get the smell.

The trouble is no one will tell you the truth. Real estate agents certainly won’t. And “very rarely” is still too often when it makes it impossible to be outdoors. Hard pass on buying property there.