How Do I Choose a Real Estate Agent in Virginia Beach?

By Barry Jenkins (Legacy Home Team @ LPT Realty) · Last updated October 2026 · Real Estate Agent Home Buyer Home Seller

To choose a real estate agent in Virginia Beach, confirm their license on DPOR's website, interview two or three agents, and ask about local knowledge, communication and fees. Read the written agreement Virginia requires before they start working for you. The best agent explains flood zones, school zones and contracts clearly and puts your interests first.

Key facts

Real estate agents in Virginia are licensed by the Virginia Real Estate Board, part of DPOR. You can check any license online.
A buyer's agent must have a brokerage agreement with you before showing you property (Va. Code § 54.1-2132). All brokerage agreements, including listing agreements, must be in writing (Va. Code § 54.1-2137).
Agents must disclose their brokerage relationship in writing early in the process.
Dual agency requires written disclosure and written consent from both parties (Va. Code § 54.1-2139).
Commissions are negotiable. Since August 17, 2024, under the NAR settlement, offers of buyer-agent compensation aren't displayed on the MLS.

What should I look for in a Virginia Beach agent?

Look for someone who:

Knows the local details. Virginia Beach covers about 245 square miles, from the Oceanfront to rural Pungo. Your agent should understand the areas you're considering, including school zones, flood zones and noise zones.
Communicates the way you like. Text, phone or email, evenings or weekends. Ask up front.
Explains contracts clearly. Virginia contracts have deadlines for inspections, financing, appraisal and HOA documents.
Negotiates with data. Ask how they'd price your home or build an offer.
Has a network. Lenders, inspectors, contractors and settlement agents you can choose from.
Is licensed and in good standing. Check DPOR.

How do I check an agent's license?

Go to DPOR's License Lookup and search by name. You'll see:

Whether the license is active.
The license type, such as salesperson or broker.
The brokerage the agent works under.

If you want, you can also look at public reviews, but remember that anyone can post anything online. Ask for references from recent clients.

What questions should I ask in an interview?

For buyers:

How well do you know the neighborhoods I'm considering?
How do you check flood zones, AICUZ noise zones and school zones?
How will you help me compete in a multiple-offer situation?
What's in your buyer agreement, and what's your fee?
Who will show me homes: you or someone on your team?
Can you tour homes by video if I'm relocating?

For sellers:

How will you price my home, and what's it based on?
What's your marketing plan: photos, online exposure, showings?
How do you handle offers, inspections and appraisal issues?
What's your fee, and what does it cover?
What's the term of the listing agreement, and can I cancel?

My older posts on the right questions to ask your real estate agent and 10 questions to ask your Realtor before buying a house have more ideas.

How does the buyer agreement work in Virginia?

Under Va. Code § 54.1-2132, an agent working for a buyer must enter into a brokerage agreement with the buyer before showing property. Under § 54.1-2137, every brokerage agreement must be in writing and must:

Have a definite termination date. If it doesn't, it ends 90 days after it's signed.
State the amount of the brokerage fee and how and when it will be paid.
State the services the agent will provide.
Include any other terms you and the agent agree to.
Include the required dual representation disclosures if you're consenting to dual agency.

Since the 2024 NAR settlement, MLS participants working with buyers generally must have a written agreement before touring homes. Read the agreement carefully, and ask for changes before you sign. You can negotiate the fee, the term and what happens if you want to end the relationship.

How do commissions work now?

There's no standard commission. Each agent or brokerage sets its own fees, and you can negotiate.

Sellers agree to a fee in the listing agreement. Sellers can also choose to offer compensation to a buyer's agent or concessions to the buyer, but those offers aren't shown on the MLS.

Buyers agree to their agent's fee in the buyer agreement. Depending on the deal, that fee may be paid by the buyer, by the seller through a negotiated concession, or a combination. VA loans have specific rules about which costs a buyer can pay, so talk with your lender. My VA loan guide has details.

For seller costs in general, see how much it costs to sell a house in Virginia Beach.

What are dual and designated agency?

Dual agency means one agent represents both the buyer and the seller. In Virginia, it's allowed only with written disclosure and written consent from both clients, given before the dual relationship begins. The consent can't be buried in the purchase contract. A dual agent can't advocate for either side the way a single agent can.

Designated agency is when a broker assigns different agents in the same brokerage to represent the buyer and the seller. The broker is still considered a dual agent and needs consent.

If you're not comfortable with either arrangement, say so at the start.

Team or solo agent?

	Team	Solo agent
Availability	Often more coverage for showings and calls	One person to reach
Specialization	Members may focus on buyers, listings or transactions	One person handles everything
Consistency	Ask who your main contact will be	Same person from start to finish

Either model can give great service. The key is knowing who's doing the work.

Why do local knowledge and fair housing matter?

A good agent describes neighborhoods by their features, such as home types, commutes, flood zones, school assignments and amenities. An agent shouldn't steer you toward or away from areas based on who lives there. That's a fair housing rule, and it's also just good advice: you should choose based on what matters to you. My neighborhood guides take that approach.

What are the red flags?

Be cautious if an agent:

Won't explain the agreement or pressures you to sign right away.
Can't tell you how they'd check flood, school or noise zones.
Promises a sale price far above what the data supports just to win your listing.
Describes neighborhoods by who lives there instead of by features.
Is hard to reach before you've even signed.

Ready to talk?

I'm Barry Jenkins with the Legacy Home Team at LPT Realty. Learn more about me and our team, search Virginia Beach homes for sale or get a free home value estimate. Then contact me or call or text (757) 919-8874. I'm happy to answer questions, explain my agreement and fee, and see if we're a good fit.

Barry Jenkins, Legacy Home Team at LPT Realty

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a Virginia real estate agent is licensed?

Use the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation's online license lookup. Search by the agent's name to confirm the license is active and to see the brokerage they're licensed under.

Do I have to sign a contract with a buyer's agent in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia law requires a buyer's agent to enter into a brokerage agreement with you before showing you property. Brokerage agreements must be in writing and state the services, the fees and how they're paid, and a termination date. Read it before you sign and ask about anything you don't understand.

What is the standard real estate commission in Virginia Beach?

There's no standard or required commission. Fees are negotiable between you and your agent. Since the 2024 NAR settlement, offers of compensation to buyer agents aren't shown on the MLS.

What is dual agency in Virginia?

Dual agency is when one agent or brokerage represents both buyer and seller in the same transaction. Virginia allows it only with written disclosure and written consent from both parties, and the consent can't be part of the purchase contract.

Should I choose a team or a solo agent?

Either can work well. Teams can offer more availability and specialized help, while a solo agent gives you one point of contact. Ask who will actually show you homes, negotiate for you and answer your calls.

What questions should I ask a Virginia Beach agent?

Ask how well they know the neighborhoods you want, how they handle flood zones and AICUZ noise zones, how they price or negotiate, how they communicate, what their fee is and what's in their agreement.

Can I interview more than one agent?

Yes, and it's a good idea. Interview two or three agents before you sign an agreement, and choose the one who explains things clearly and listens to your goals.