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. This includes

While real estate activity in North Bethany was relatively flat this Spring when compared to last year, we experienced a nice flurry of activity in July. During the month, 7 properties went under contract in North Bethany (versus 2 in July of last year).

As the chart illustrates, sales are up 36% year-to-date, while sales volume is up 130%. Inventory has nearly doubled when compared to the same time last year, creating a little more competition for sellers. Meanwhile, properties continue to sell quickly with 18 days as the median days-to-contract.

So far this year, our group has participated in more than 53% of property sales in North Bethany. If we can offer you any real estate guidance, please give us a call.

Leslie Kopp                  

This is the time of year when we calculate absorption rates in order to understand whether we are trending in the direction of a buyer’s or seller’s market at the beach. 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 market is clearly shifting as all areas moved in a favorable direction for buyers. We continue to stay in a seller’s market from North Bethany to South Bethany, but growing inventory in Fenwick Island has shifted that area into a buyer’s market.        

If you would like to discuss the market in more detail as a buyer or a seller,

The summer season is upon us, and we have enjoyed seeing so many of you enjoying the area over the last few weeks! During the month of May, 20 properties went under contract in the Bethany-Fenwick area.  20 properties were also under contract at this time last year, and 21 in May of 2022. There is some softening of values, particularly in the single family home market. However, there are still plenty of buyers waiting for specific properties to be listed, especially those closest to the beach.

If you have any questions about the market in general or and specific property, please give us a call.

Leslie Kopp
(302) 541-5207        

Christi Arndt
(302) 245-5223               

Happy Spring! Last month, we shared with you that after many years of deficient inventory, we were starting to see properties coming on the market more frequently. As we start the month of May, this trend continues as inventory in the Bethany-Fenwick market is up 58% when compared to the same time last year.

The beach real estate market remains firm. As the chart illustrates, sales activity is up 14% so far this year when compared to the first 4 months of 2023 and sales volume is up 19%. Properties are taking a little longer to sell with 11 days as the median days-to-contract so far this year, vs. 9 days last year. Meanwhile, prices are stable.      

The busy Summer season is just around the corner, if we can offer you any real estate guidance,

Coalition for a Safer North Bethany Beach has announced that two events have been scheduled regarding the DelDOT Study along SR 1 between Bethany Beach and the Indian River Inlet Bridge. The purpose of the Study is to evaluate alternatives that will improve safety and provide low-stress bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and to develop a conceptual design and cost estimate for a recommended alternative. DelDOT will also be installing short-term improvements including three Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons. This spring, there are three ways you can learn more and provide feedback on the Study and planned short-term improvements:

1.       Attend the May 8 Public Workshop in person at the South Coastal Library
   

The Delaware

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

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

Enjoy incredible views of the wide open bay and marina from nearly every room of this meticulously maintained waterfront home in North Bethany. Offering the perfect layout for entertaining with a combined main living/dining/kitchen area featuring hardwood floors, a wood burning fireplace, and an open floor plan. Filled with an abundance of southern exposure sunlight throughout the day, the great room leads to an expansive deck overlooking the water. Wind down while watching beautiful sunsets every evening on this newly built 18x28 Trex deck with pergola. With covered parking for four vehicles and a large ground level storage room, there is plenty of space to store all of your beach necessities and boating equipment. Situated in a bayfront gated