Delaware Beach Real Estate Blog - General News and Updates from the Delaware Beaches

Slips now available at South Shore Marina new boat entrance

Credit to: Coastal Point, Ellen Driscoll

Boasting a new deep-water entrance, South Shore Marina on the southerly side of the Indian River Inlet bridge has just eight boat slips left available for purchase.

Permitting took three years for the marina entrance to be moved to the west jetty, said Marina Manager Laura Leslie; the $800,000 construction project was necessary to allow for safe entrance.  

Previously, sand deposits had often blocked boat traffic at the mouth of the channel, or caused bent props or grounding. The area was dredged annually, Leslie said, but shoaling continued with each storm event and blowout tide, presenting hazards for boaters and preventing access to the marina.

The marina has been around for 60…

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Frankford Has Plans for Growing Town

Credit to: Coastal Point, Kerin Magill

The Frankford Town Council has hired former Millsboro town manager Sheldon Hudson as a consultant who will act as a part-time town manager.

Hudson, who recently left his job as town manager in Smyrna and started a consulting business, Hudson Municipal Consulting, had his first day in the town office this week. He spoke with the Coastal Point on his way there on Wednesday, April 3.

“I’m excited,” Hudson said, adding that he just started his consulting firm “literally a couple weeks ago.” He said he had resigned from his position as Smyrna’s town manager, which he held for a year and a half, “on fine, amicable terms.”

The Frankford Town Council voted unanimously at its Monday, April 1, meeting to hire…

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Easter Weekend Events

Looking for a fun activity for friends and family this Easter Weekend? Check out below for all the currently planned events in and around the Bethany Beach area! We recommend calling to make reservations for brunch, as these spots can fill up quickly.

Easter Brunch, Sunday March 31st, in/near Bethany Beach DE:

Bear Trap Dunes - 10am-2pm
Big Fish Grill - 10am-7pm (Ocean View & Rehoboth)
Bluecoast - 10am-3pm (Bethany & Rehoboth)
Catch 54 - 10am-3pm
Cottage Cafe - 10am-3pm
Northeast - 10am-3pm

Easter Egg Hunts, Saturday March 30th, in/near Bethany Beach DE:

Salted Vines Vineyard - 2-3pm
Frankford Town Park - 12pm
Dagsboro Fire House - 10am

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DNREC to Hold Construction Informational Event regarding US Wind, 3Rs Beach

Credit to: Sean Curtis, WBOC

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) plans to hold a public informational session regarding US Wind’s proposed construction that would bring power lines ashore at 3Rs Beach at the Delaware Seashore State Park.

US Wind and Governor John Carney’s Office previously announced negotiations were underway to bring the power lines from offshore turbines ashore at 3Rs Beach, with US Wind paying an annual $350,000 for the land lease.

DNREC says the information session, slated for next Tuesday, will focus solely on the potential lease to allow the underground cables at the beach, including the construction plan and what will be visible following the construction. The meeting will not cover the…

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Bethany-Fenwick Strong Start to 2024

March has arrived and we are looking forward to longer light filled days ahead! The Bethany-Fenwick area had a good start to the year for real estate activity. While it is not the frenzy that we experienced in 2021 and 2022, to-date, sales are up considerably when compared to last year.

As the chart illustrates, through the first two months, new contracts were up 34% when compared to the same time last year. Inventory is slowly rising, but remains at historical lows. Sales volume in dollars (based on list price) was up 30%.   Properties that are priced appropriately continue to sell very quickly and the average sale price for properties settled in January and February was down 5% when compared to the same months in 2023. This is due to the fact…

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North Bethany Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Study

Provided by Delaware Department of Transportation

The purpose of the North Bethany Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Study is to evaluate alternatives to provide low-stress bicycle and pedestrian facilities along SR 1 between Bethany Beach and the Indian River Inlet Bridge, and to develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for a recommended alternative. These concepts will be developed based on the public feedback received to date and the results of the existing conditions assessment. The potential alternatives may include recommendations for traffic calming, median crossover closures/consolidations, shared use path(s), protected bike lanes, dedicated right-turn lanes, sidewalks, and crossing improvements.

Public Process

Concepts…

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First Freeman Arts Pavilion Concert Scheduled

The Freeman Arts Pavilion (formerly known as The Freeman Stage) has announced its' first summer concert scheduled for June 26th!  Globally recognized musician Michael Franti & Spearhead with special guests Trevor Hall & Bombargo will be the first musical performance to kick off a wonderful summer of concerts located in the community of Bayside Resort.  With their 2022 performance being such a hit amongst concert-goers, Franti & Spearhead's Togetherness Tour of 2024 will stop in West Fenwick once again to bring sunshine to the stage.

For all upcoming events and performances at The Freeman Arts Pavilion, click here!

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Bayside Real Estate: Buyer's or Seller's Market

We are just one month into the year and so far, we are experiencing some slowing of buyer activity in Bayside. In January, 4 properties went under contract in your community compared to 6 sales during the same month last year.

During this time of the year, 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 calculate how many Months Supply of Inventory is for sale. Generally, a balanced market would have between 6 to 7 months of inventory.  

We remain in a Seller’s Market in Bayside.   If you are looking for a Bayside single family, townhome or condo to call your own intime for the upcoming season, or if you have…

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Beach Towns could Contribute to Future Beach Replenishment

Credit to Katie Kazimir with Delaware Live

Cape Gazette

The Department of Natural Resources is developing counsel for local governments to aid in funding the cost for beach replenishment.   DNREC has stated that as erosion intensifies, the process of beach replenishment, which typically entails extracting sand from deeper offshore areas, may require more frequent repetition in order to restore beaches and safeguard infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings.  Currently, costs are funded by both the state and federal government.  As of now Delaware allocates 1% of the state lodging tax towards replenishment projects. DNREC anticipates a budget of $4.1 million for the 2024 fiscal year, concluding on June 30th. This year, it is anticipated…

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Delaware Beach Towns to Consider US Wind Offer

US Wind has provided the Delaware A.C.T with a package of community benefits regarding the wind turbine projects for Coastal Delaware residents of Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, and South Bethany.  Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger issued a statement in which the Town "declined to be involved with hiring a consultant to negotiate a community benefits package with the wind farm companies."

It is stated in the community benefits that each of the five towns would received $2 million over period of 20 years, which would be paid in $100,000 increments.  Each town would receive $100,00 on the anniversary date for a period of 18 years. In return, towns would have to agree not to take any steps to impede or delay this…

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