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

During the first quarter of 2025, the Bethany-Fenwick real estate market was softer when compared to 2024. Total sales were down 12% (60 vs 68) during the first 3 months when compared to last year. Inventory is growing and properties took 3 weeks longer, on average, to go under contract when compared to the same time last year. The graph above illustrates historic inventory levels on April 1 each year and the median sale price of properties sold in the first quarter. We feel the market shifting, but real estate remains a solid long term investment.

Please give us a

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

The Bethany Beach Town Council, by unanimous vote at the Friday, March 21, council meeting, passed the Town’s 2026-fiscal-year budget, with no increase in the property tax rate of $2.07 per $100 of assessed property value, but with a hike in the summer-season parking fee, to $4 per hour.

The increase, Assistant Town Manager Teresa Tieman told the council, was necessary to “add to our reserves to allow summer revenues to pay the Town’s expenses, so residents can still have free concerts.”

“I think we did the right thing,” Mayor Ron Calef later told the Coastal Point about the increase. “Unfortunately, as costs go up, we’re trying to balance it so our residents and the businesses are not footing all the

March has arrived and after a winter with multiple snowstorms in a few short months, we are grateful for warmer, light-filled days ahead!

As the chart illustrates, the Bethany-Fenwick area had a slower start to the year for real estate. Through the first two months of 2025, properties took about 10 days longer to sell and new contracts were down 23% when compared to last year. The most significant reduction in sales was for condo/townhome properties under $500K, which were down 86% (1 vs.7). Therefore, sales volume in dollars, based on list price, declined by a much smaller margin (2%) and the average sale price for properties settled in January and February was up 67% when compared to 2024.

As always, if we can help you with your real estate

Following the state-wide reassessment and letters that homeowners have received from Sussex County and Tyler Technologies in recent months, Sussex County has released a tool to estimate your property taxes in 2025, based upon the assessment value that you received.  The Sussex County Property Tax Calculator can be found on their website:     https://sussexcountyde.gov/property-tax-calculator

You will be required to input the school district.  For homes in Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island and the surrounding areas where we conduct business, the school district is Indian River.

Please note, this is a preliminary estimate only. It does not account for any tax assistance programs you may be receiving (full time residents that are retirees, for

As we head into what is typically an active selling season for beach property, this is a time we like to calculate absorption rates to determine whether we are trending in the direction of a buyer’s or seller’s market. We compare the pace of sales over the previous 12 months to determine how many Months’ Supply of Inventory is for sale. Generally, a balanced market would have between 6 to 7 months of inventory. At this time, all areas have 4 months of inventory or less and we remain in a Seller’s Market in the Bethany-Fenwick area.

Even with a serious winter storm that left us under snow for many weeks, we experienced good buyer activity at the beach during the first month of the year. In January, 17 properties went under contract in the

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

By unanimous vote, the Bethany Beach Town Council this week passed a resolution to announce the Town’s desire to borrow funds for a new clarifier for the water treatment plant. They will hold a public hearing to hear comment about that resolution at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17.

After the public hearing, there will be a second resolution offered, to determine whether there will be a special election held on the funding, in April or May.

Town Manager Cliff Graviet, at the Friday, Jan. 17, town council meeting, said the new clarifier will cost $3.9 million, paid over 20 years.

A clarifier, he explained, is a significant part of the Town’s water treatment process. Bethany Beach has deep aquafers that are

*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: 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

Last month, we shared with you that real estate sales had picked up in September. This carried into October as 34 properties in the Bethany-Fenwick area went under contract last month. This is up 55% compared to 22 sales in October of 2023. As the graph illustrates, the median sale price for both single family homes and condo/townhome properties have risen in 2024.   If you are considering a purchase or a sale, it is never too early to have a conversation. Please give us a call. 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!

Leslie Kopp                          Christi Arndt
(302) 542-3917                     (302)

Last month, we reported that the beach real estate market slowed some in August. We are pleased to share that buyer activity picked up nicely in September ! During the month, 30 properties in the Bethany-Fenwick area went under contract. This is up 43% when compared to 21 sales during the same month last year.

A nice rise in newly available inventory, specifically for single family homes, was a leading factor that contributed to this flurry of activity. As the chart illustrates, through the first 3 quarters of the year, the market has remained firm for all property types at the beach. If you are exploring your options as a buyer or seller, we always welcome a conversation.

Leslie Kopp                          Christi Arndt