*Data was derived from the Sussex County MLS & tax records. Includes properties sold in North Bethany. May not reflect all activity in the marketplace.

Happy New Year!  As we reflect on 2024, you might recall that throughout most of the year, real estate sales in North Bethany were much stronger when compared to 2023. Even as interest rates increased heading into the Summer season, inventory shortages kept values appreciating and sales remained high from January through October. Buyer activity slowed considerably in November and December, as anticipated, with the election and Holiday Season. 

We are optimistic and enthusiastic about the Delaware beach markets in the year ahead!  If you are considering a purchase or sale of North Bethany real estate,

*Data was derived from the Sussex County MLS. Includes properties sold in Fenwick Island, South Bethany, Bethany Beach & North Bethany. May not reflect all activity in the marketplace.

Happy New Year!  As we reflect on 2024, you might recall that throughout most of the year, real estate sales in Bethany Beach were much stronger when compared to 2023. Even as interest rates increased heading into the Summer season, inventory shortages kept values appreciating and sales remained high from January through October. Buyer activity slowed considerably in November and December, as anticipated, with the election and Holiday Season. 

We are optimistic and enthusiastic about the Delaware beach markets in the year ahead!  If you are considering a purchase or

Credit to: Construction Dive, Emma Penrod

• The Department of the Interior on Tuesday approved the construction and operations plan, or COP, for the 2-GW Maryland Offshore Wind Project, clinching the final federal permit developer US Wind needs from the department to begin construction.

• The permit clears the way for the construction of more than a hundred wind turbines off the shore of Maryland and Delaware, and will help build the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, according to the Oceantic Network, a trade association that represents the offshore wind industry.

• The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management this week also issued a Record of Decision finalizing a list of environmental measures expected to

Most Recent Update:

The proposed 3% tax on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas of Sussex County was defeated during the County Council public hearing and meeting on Tuesday, December 10th 2024.  This win reflects the collective effort of the Sussex County Association of Realtors and its members, who worked diligently to highlight the potential negative impacts of the ordinance on homeowners, renters, and the local economy.

A short-term rental tax has been proposed in Sussex County, Delaware. Please take a look at the information below if this might affect your beach property or to learn more.  

Sussex County has entered an ordinance that will add a 3% rental tax to any short-term rental that is in an unincorporated area.

Credit to: WBOC, Sean Curtis, AECOM

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has announced the delay of a bridge replacement on Route 54 (Lighthouse Road) in Fenwick Island.

According to DelDOT, a delay with the National Environmental Policy Act process due to tidal and navigation issues caused the project’s expected completion date to be pushed back. The bridge’s replacement was initially planned for Spring 2025, but is now expected to commence in early 2026.

DelDOT says the replacement will occur in two phases, the first commencing in October 2026 and lasting through May 2027. The second phase is slated for October 2027 through May 2028.

The replacement project was initiated due to the bridge’s poor condition,

Credit to: Coastal Point

Coastal Point

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Town of Bethany Beach will kick off its annual Holiday Happenings and feature the favorite activities the community has come to know and love. The day will start at the Nature Center (807 Garfield Parkway) at 10:30 a.m., with a special Ginger Man siting.

There will be pony rides on the beach off Garfield Parkway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and face painters in town hall from 1 to 3 p.m. These were so popular last year that they will require pre-registration this year. (Walk-ups will still be accepted as time allows.) Registration is being accepted online via the Town’s website at https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/.

Also, from 1 to 3 p.m., Santa will make his triumphant return to town

Credit to: Sussex County

Sussex County Delaware has completed a revaluation of all real property in anticipation of the 2025 Tax Roll and property owners have been receiving notices in the mail which contain their new property assessments. Your new tentative assessment is based on 100% of the current assessed value of your property, as of July 1, 2023.

THE NOTICE IS NOT A TAX BILL. The Tax Rate will change; therefore, DO NOT multiply your new tentative assessed value by the current tax rate. The new tax rate will be determined by the County, Municipality & School District for the 2025 tax bill.

The 2025 assessments have been developed using recent valid market sales and economic data. The previous assessment was NOT a factor in determining the

Credit to: Coastal Point, Mike Smith

York Road in South Bethany frequently floods. It floods during coastal storms, high tides and full moons, and even on “sunny-day flooding” events, including earlier this month. Until Nov. 11, it had not rained in Coastal Delaware for more than 40 days, and yet residents came to the South Bethany Town Council meeting on Friday, Nov. 8, with photos of flood-soaked streets at York and Bristol Roads that had been taken that day.

AECOM is a global infrastructure firm that includes road engineering among its work. Kyle Gulbronson is a principal planner with the firm, based in Millsboro, and was retained by the Town of South Bethany to report on options for keeping York Road passable. The key issue is about

Last month, we shared with you that real estate sales had been strong through the first 3 quarters of the year for Ocean View. After a tremendous September, the momentum slowed in October as 25 properties in Ocean View went under contract last month. This is down 17% compared to 30 sales in October of 2023. As the graph illustrates, the median sale price for condo/townhome properties in Ocean View have risen in 2024 while single family values have held firm.  During this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful that so many of you look to our group for real estate guidance and expertise.  We wish you all a healthy and very joyful holiday!

If you are considering a purchase or a sale, it is never too early to have a conversation. Please give us a call:

Last month, we shared with you that real estate sales had been strong through the first 3 quarters of the year. This carried into October as 9 properties in Sea Colony went under contract last month. This is up 29% compared to 7 sales in October of 2023. As the graph illustrates, the median sale price for properties on both the East and West have risen in 2024.  During this time of Thanksgiving, we are grateful that so many of you look to our group for real estate guidance and expertise. We wish you all a healthy and very joyful holiday! If you are considering a purchase or a sale, it is never too early to have a conversation. Please reach out to our Sea Colony experts:

Gail Phelan                    Chris Housman
(302) 233-4909               (302)