Delaware Beach Real Estate Blog - South Bethany Real Estate Blog

Strong Seller’s Market to Start 2026

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

During the first month of the year, we experienced the longest stretch of freezing temperatures that we can remember in quite some time, so it is no surprise that sales were slower when compared to January of last year.During the month, 14 properties went under contract in the Bethany-Fenwick area. This compares to 16 sales in January of 2025 and 19 in 2024.

The good news for property owners is that we are confident buyer demand will return as the temperatures start to rise and summer is top of mind.As the chart illustrates, all of the beach areas remain…

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South Bethany 2025 Real Estate Market Recap

Happy New Year! As we reflect on 2025, real estate sales in South Bethany were stronger compared to 2024. Early in the year, we experienced some buyer hesitation amid political uncertainty, but sales picked up substantially during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year and remained firm in the 4th quarter. 

In 2025, we were fortunate to participate in 42% of sales in South Bethany, representing the buyer, seller or both parties. Properties in South Bethany that were listed with our group went under contract faster on average (35 days vs. 55) and our sellers achieved an average sale-to-list price of 98%. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the beach markets in the year to come! We are grateful for your continued confidence and trust, and we wish…

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Warm Holiday Wishes from The Leslie Kopp Group

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Bethany-Fenwick Market Strong

Last month, we reported that the beach real estate market was active in August. Unfortunately, this momentum did not continue into September. During the month, 26 properties in the Bethany-Fenwick area went under contract. This is down 19% when compared to 31 sales in September of last year.

As the chart illustrates, through the first 3 quarters of the year, the market has been strong for all property types at the beach. Prices and inventory are both relatively stable while total sales are up. If you are exploring your options as a buyer or seller, we always welcome a conversation.

Leslie Kopp                         Christi Arndt                                                                                     
(302) 541-5207               …

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August Sales Stronger in South Bethany

September is our favorite time of the year to live at the beach. We hope you have a chance to be here to enjoy the cooler temperatures, light traffic, and warm ocean breezes! This is also a special month for me personally, as it marks 36 years since starting a career in real estate at the beach. I am extremely grateful to have earned the trust of so many of you over the years and together with Christi Arndt and the group, we will continue to offer the highest level of guidance and expertise in real estate well into the future!

After a slower July, the beach real estate market experienced a nice rise in August when compared to the last year. During the month, 7 properties went under contract in South Bethany. This compares to 1 during the same month…

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South Bethany officials hear from flood consultants

Photo courtesy of Susan Lyons and Coastal Point

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

South Bethany’s Community Planning Advisory Committee this week discussed pervious vs. impervious surfaces, and heard suggestions from consultants from the University of Delaware and residents for ways to control flooding and the quality of water that flows into the town’s canals.

Mayor Edie Dondero introduced consultants Jen Reitz and William DeCoursey and said the Town had hired them to “help us do some long-term planning related to resiliency and what the Town should be looking at to make long-term plans to enhance resiliency to address future issues, like sea-level rise.”

She clarified that impervious surfaces don’t allow water to flow into the ground…

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Summer Buyer Activity Slower in South Bethany

While real estate activity in South Bethany was relatively flat through May when compared to last year, we experienced a slight slowdown in June and July. During those months, 3 properties went under contract in South Bethany, compared to 6 in June and July of last year.

As the chart illustrates, sales are down 22% year-to-date, while sales volume in dollars is down 21%. Inventory is up 50% compared to the same time last year, creating increased competition for sellers. Meanwhile, properties continue to sell quickly, with 12 days as the median days-to-contract.

So far this year, our group has participated in more than 80% of property sales in South Bethany. If we can provide you with any real estate guidance as a buyer or seller, please give us a…

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Seller’s Market at the Beach

We are often asked if we are in a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market at the beach and this is the time of year when we calculate absorption rates in order to answer that question and understand how the market is trending. 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 7 months of inventory while more would be a Buyer’s Market and less a Seller’s Market. The continuation of very limited inventory for sale has kept us in a Seller’s Market from Fenwick Island to North Bethany.        

If you would like to discuss the market in more detail, we are here to help. Please give us a call.

Leslie Kopp                            Christi…

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Bethany-Fenwick Market Continues to Trend in a Positive Direction

The summer season is well underway, and we’ve enjoyed seeing so many homeowners and vacationers return to the area over the past few weeks!

May was a strong month for real estate sales, with 31 properties going under contract in the Bethany-Fenwick area—up from 18 in May of 2024.As the chart illustrates, year-to-date, both the number of properties under contract and total sales volume are up 10%. For well over a year now, we’ve been noting an upward trend in inventory, and that continues. So far this year, properties are taking about a week longer to go under contract compared to the same time last year.

With the busy summer season upon us, it is a great time to look at homes as a buyer and a great time to list if you are thinking of selling.  …

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Inventory on the Rise, Spring Market Firm in South Bethany

Happy Spring! As we look back on the first 4 months of the year, the real estate market in South Bethany was slower when compared to 2024. As the chart illustrates, sales activity was down 30% when compared to the first 4 months of 2024 and sales volume was down 29%. Properties continued to sell very quickly with 8 days as the median days-to-contract, and inventory remains extremely low in South Bethany with just 4 properties for sale.

Meanwhile, inventory has grown by nearly 50% in the greater Bethany-Fenwick market when compared to last year (84 listings vs.57). It is important to note that we are still far below pre-pandemic levels when it was common to have more than 200 properties available for sale in the Bethany-Fenwick area, and about 20 in…

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