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Portsmouth › OREGON ACRES › 13 California Ave✓ Source: REIN MLS #10640998 · record updated Jul 17, 2026 · synced every 2 min · your inquiry is never resold
13 California AVE, PORTSMOUTH VA 23701 - Main photo
13 California AVE, PORTSMOUTH VA 23701 - Photo 2
13 California AVE, PORTSMOUTH VA 23701 - Photo 3
13 California AVE, PORTSMOUTH VA 23701 - Photo 4
13 California AVE, PORTSMOUTH VA 23701 - Photo 5
$285,000
$304 / sqft · est. $1,796/mo →
2beds
1baths
936sqft
21days on market

13 California Ave, Portsmouth, VA 23701

ActiveResidential · built 1942 · OREGON ACRES

Chapter · The Water

Life on the water

The waterfront is the reason this home exists. Its water record, straight from the listing: Marsh, River.

Frontage

Marsh · River ✓ VERIFIED

Source: REIN MLS listing record · waterfront features as listed

About this home

The listing, in the seller's words

Fall in love with this charming vintage bungalow nestled along the marsh, where privacy, character, and natural beauty create a peaceful retreat that feels far removed from the everyday. While a few finishing touches remain, many of the home's most important updates have already been completed. Recent improvements include a fully renovated kitchen and laundry room (2020), a new 30-year architectural roof installed in May 2021, and central heating and air conditioning added for year-round comfort. Set on a spacious half-acre lot with picturesque river and marsh views, the property offers a peaceful setting frequented by waterfowl, deer, and foxes. A detached garage/workshop provides space for hobbies, storage, or projects. Rich in character, this bungalow features many original architectural details that have been thoughtfully preserved, showcasing its charm and craftsmanship. With updates already in place, this is a rare opportunity to create the marshside retreat you've always envisioned!

Listing courtesy of Heather Heishman · Keller Williams Capital Props. · REIN MLS #10640998

VaHome team overview

Our read on this home

At a glance

A compact 1942 two-bedroom home in Portsmouth, Virginia, sitting just seven minutes from both Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. At 936 square feet, it's a straightforward, manageable home with genuine character rooted in a mid-century neighborhood.

Read the full overview ↓

Why this home stands out

What sets 13 California Ave apart is its rare dual-base proximity — seven minutes to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and seven minutes to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, making it one of the more strategically located addresses in the city for military households. The 1942 construction gives the home solid bones and a character that newer builds simply can't replicate, all on a footprint that keeps upkeep honest and life uncomplicated.

OREGON ACRES and the Portsmouth real estate market

Portsmouth is one of Hampton Roads' most historically layered cities, and the area surrounding California Ave reflects that depth. This part of Portsmouth sits in the southern corridor of the city, where mid-century homes line quiet streets and neighbors tend to know each other by name. The blocks here have a lived-in, genuine feel — not a master-planned development, but a real community that has grown organically over decades. Portsmouth itself spans from the working waterfront along the Elizabeth River to residential pockets that stretch toward the Chesapeake. The city offers a slower pace than Virginia Beach without sacrificing access — you're connected to Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Suffolk within a short drive. For anyone searching for Portsmouth VA real estate with practical military access, this address checks that box clearly. The surrounding streets carry a mix of long-term residents and newer owners, giving the neighborhood a stable, grounded energy.

What's nearby

Daily life is easy to manage from California Ave. Groceries, pharmacies, and everyday errands are within a short drive along the main commercial corridors in southern Portsmouth. Several local diners and casual restaurants are close by, and quick-service options are easy to reach without getting on the highway. Prentis Park and other green spaces in the area give you room to get outside without a long commute to recreation. The broader Portsmouth street grid connects you efficiently to Interstate 264 and the Downtown Tunnel, putting Norfolk's waterfront, Chesapeake's shopping districts, and the broader Hampton Roads metro within comfortable reach on any given day.

For different buyers

For military families relocating

Seven minutes to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and seven minutes to Norfolk Naval Shipyard — that kind of dual-base access is genuinely hard to find in one address. For a service member or medical staff professional looking to cut the commute and simplify the PCS process, 13 California Ave lands in a practical sweet spot. A VA loan can make the path to ownership here straightforward.

For first-time buyers

At 936 square feet, 13 California Ave is a manageable, low-overhead entry point into Portsmouth homeownership. The 1942 construction means real walls, real character, and a home that has already proven its durability over eight decades. Two bedrooms and one bath keep the footprint simple — ideal for someone stepping into ownership for the first time without overextending.

More buyer questions

How far is 13 California Ave from Naval Medical Center Portsmouth?

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is approximately seven minutes away by car, making this one of the closer residential addresses to the base in the city. The route is straightforward with no highway required.

How far is 13 California Ave from Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard is also about seven minutes from the property, which is notably convenient for shipyard workers and military personnel stationed there. Both bases are accessible in roughly the same drive time.

What is the square footage and layout of 13 California Ave?

The home offers 936 square feet of living space with two bedrooms and one bathroom. It's a compact, efficient layout built in 1942 that suits a small household or someone who prefers a low-maintenance footprint.

Is 13 California Ave in a flood zone?

Flood zone designation for this property is displayed in the FloodRisk tile on this page, which reflects the most current FEMA mapping data for this address.

Can a VA loan be used to purchase 13 California Ave?

Yes, eligible veterans and active-duty service members can use a VA loan to purchase this property, provided it meets standard VA appraisal requirements. Given the proximity to two major installations, VA financing is a common and practical option for buyers in this area.

Want to know more about 13 California Ave or explore comparable homes in Portsmouth? Tom and Dariya Milan at LPT Realty are ready to walk you through every detail.

Summary generated by AI from public records and publicly available information.

Schools

Info provided by GreatSchools

Facts & features

The record, sourced

Type

Residential

Year built

1942

Price / sqft

$304

HOA

None

Taxes

$2,812/yr

County

Portsmouth VA

Waterfront

Yes

MLS #

10640998

Interior

Bedrooms
2
Full baths
1
Approx. sqft
936
Stories
1
Flooring
Carpet, Ceramic, Wood
First-floor bed & full bath
Yes
Total rooms
5
Other rooms
1st Floor BR, 1st Floor Primary BR, Attic, Office/Study, Porch, Utility Room
Appliances
Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Dryer Hookup, Elec Range, Refrigerator, Washer, Washer Hookup
Equipment
Ceiling Fan
Accessibility
Main Floor Laundry

Construction & exterior

Style
Bungalow
Subtype
Detached
Foundation
Crawl
Roof
Asphalt Shingle
Exterior
Vinyl
Pool
No Pool
Waterfront
Marsh,River

Utilities & systems

Heating
Electric
Cooling
Central Air
Water heater
Gas
Water
City/County
Sewer
City/County

Lot, parking & ownership

Lot size
0.4600
Subdivision
OREGON ACRES
Ownership
Fee Simple
Garage
Yes
Parking
Garage Det 1 Car, Off Street, Driveway Spc, Street
Possession
SETTLE
Disclosures
Disclosure Statement

See more Portsmouth waterfront homes.

Sources: REIN MLS record · city assessor · null fields are suppressed, never faked

Flood & environment

FEMA flood zone X · outside the high-risk area · FIRM 515529

Flood Risk

Looking up FEMA flood zone…

Hurricane Evacuation Zone

Evacuation Zone A

Source: Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management — Know Your Zone

Explore this neighborhood

Brighton

Brighton is a residential neighborhood in Portsmouth, Virginia, characterized by tree-lined streets and a mix of housing styles that reflect its established community roots.

$280K

Median sale · 12 mo

$181

Sold $/sq ft

22d

Days on market

14

For sale now

$46K

HH income

55.2%

Owner-occupied

REIN MLS closed sales, trailing 12 mo · U.S. Census ACS 2024 5-year

Explore Brighton →
Map of Brighton with neighborhood boundaryNeighborhood

see more Portsmouth homes →

Location intelligence

Minutes to real places, not a score

Location & Neighborhood

Places within ~1 mile, ordered by distance from this property. Powered by Google Places.

Military Commute

Drive times to nearest bases

Drive times via Google Maps with current traffic patterns. Times are typical and may vary by time of day. Use the "Analyze" button up top to see live drive time to your saved base.

The numbers

Run the real carrying cost

Estimates only — taxes come from the public record; confirm rates with your lender. VA-eligible buyers: $0-down financing may apply.

Estimate your monthly payment

$1,796/mo

Principal & interest

$1,479

Property tax

$234

Home insurance

$83

PMI

None

HOA

None

Estimate only. Insurance assumed at 0.35% of home value annually. Actual taxes, insurance, and rate will vary by lender, credit, and property. Contact a lender for a personalized quote.

Value & history

Judge value on real ground

Asking vs. assessment

126% of $226,770

City assessment record · taxes $2,812/yr

Land share of assessed value

44% — $100,500

Improvements $126,270 · assessor record ✓

Why we show no algorithmic estimate.

National AVMs misprice homes whose value drivers they can't see. Instead: the sourced assessment above, the carrying cost, real price history, and honest comparables below.

Price context — similar nearby homes

$98,000 – $240,000

The 6 most similar homes nearby (same city, within ~20% of this size, ~2.5 mi; 6 sold). Context for judging the asking price — not an appraisal or an estimate of this home's value.

507 Henderson ST · 1.2 mi · 924 sqft$239,000 sold 2026-06
1613 Darren CIR · 1.3 mi · 946 sqft$98,000 sold 2026-03
3802 Greenwood DR · 1.3 mi · 924 sqft$156,000 sold 2026-03

Sale & Tax History

List Price

$285,000

Price / Sq Ft

$304

Annual Taxes

$2,812

Monthly Tax

$234

HOA

None

Tax Rate (effective)

0.99%

Sale Timeline (this listing)

EventDatePriceDetail
ListedJun 26, 2026$285,000—
Currently listed—$285,000—

Public-Records Assessment

Source: City Assessor via Hampton Roads Regional Parcels.

26% above assessment

Total Assessed

$226,770

Land

$100,500

Improvement

$126,270

Looking for multi-year tax assessments or prior sales? REIN MLS only ships data for the current listing. For full property history, check the city assessor record:

Portsmouth Real Estate Assessor

Tax data above from REIN public-records sync. Sale timeline tracked from this listing's first appearance in our feed forward; prior owner sales are not included.

Comparable Properties

Comps are selected by city, bed count, square footage and price proximity. Composite similarity score weights bed match, sqft variance, price variance, and straight-line distance.

Market tempo

21 days on market — read it in context

Days on market reflects pricing, season, and inventory — compare it against similar nearby homes below before reading anything into it.

Questions buyers ask

Real questions, answered from the record

Is 13 California Ave in a good school zone?+
The assigned zones on the listing record are Westhaven Elementary (GreatSchools 1/10), William E. Waters Middle, Manor High (GreatSchools 2/10). School attendance zones can change — always confirm enrollment with the local school division.
Is 13 California Ave in a flood zone?+
FEMA maps this parcel in Zone X, outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. See the flood section on this page for details and sources.
Is there a gym near 13 California Ave?+
Yes — Crunch Fitness - Portsmouth is about 0.3 miles away, per the cached nearby-places record for this address.
Where is the nearest grocery store to 13 California Ave?+
Farm Fresh International is about 0.6 miles away. The closest dining on record is Griff's Restaurant & Sports Lounge (0.3 mi).
Is 13 California Ave a waterfront property?+
Yes. The listing record shows: Marsh,River.
Does 13 California Ave have an HOA?+
No — there are no HOA, condo, or association dues on the listing record for this property.
When was 13 California Ave built?+
It was built in 1942, per the listing record.

Answers generated from the listing record, verified school zones, FEMA data, and cached nearby-places data — never invented.

The people

You'll talk to a person, not a lead queue

TD

Tom & Dariya Milan

LPT Realty · Hampton Roads · answer their own phone

✓ Your inquiry goes to Tom & Dariya — never sold to strangers

Listing courtesy of Heather Heishman · Keller Williams Capital Props. · REIN MLS #10640998

Call or text (757) 777-7577

Ask Dariya — instant answers

Schools, flood, drive times, what it really costs to own — answered from this page's data, by chat or voice.

Schedule a private tour

Free, no obligation — your inquiry goes to Tom & Dariya, never resold.

13 California Ave, Portsmouth — photo

See it in person — the record only says so much.

Call or text (757) 777-7577

13 California Ave, Portsmouth, Virginia 23701 · MLS #10640998 · Source: REIN MLS + public record. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed — verify independently. School zones subject to change; confirm with the local school division. All locations are described by neutral geographic fact. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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