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Del/Mar Coastal Housing Market – October 2025

Square Feet Appraisals Monthly Report

Data Source: Bright MLS Weekly Market Report
Report Prepared by Square Feet Appraisals in Collaboration with Delaware Beaches Online

October 2025 on the Del/Mar Coast (Sussex County, DE and coastal Maryland counties) was a “slow and steady” kind of month.
Sales were a little higher than last year, prices were basically flat, and homes took longer to sell. Inventory continued to build, which is good news for buyers but a clear signal for sellers to price realistically.


1. Big Picture – What Changed This October?

Here’s how the overall Del/Mar Coastal market looked in October 2025 compared to October 2024:

Metric Oct 2025 Oct 2024 Change
Closed Sales 815 796 +2.4%
Median Sold Price $419,000 $420,000 -0.2% (flat)
Median Days on Market 43 days 30 days +13 days
New Pending Sales 834 809 +3.1%
New Listings 939 1,057 -11.2%
Active Listings 3,474 2,993 +16.1%
Months of Supply 4.39 3.98 +0.41 months
Showings 12,127 10,645 +13.9%

In simple terms:

  • A few more homes sold than last year.

  • Prices held steady overall (down just a hair).

  • Homes took almost two extra weeks to go under contract.

  • There are more homes for buyers to choose from.

  • Showings are up, which means people are still out shopping.

Year-to-date (January through October), closed sales are up 2.6% and the median sold price is up 2.5% versus 2024, even though homes are taking about nine days longer to sell.


2. Detached Homes, Townhomes, and Condos – Very Different Stories

Not every property type is behaving the same way. Here’s a quick breakdown for October 2025:

Segment Closed Sales YoY Median Price (Oct 2025) Price Change vs 2024 Median DOM Months of Supply
Detached Single-Family +6.3% $425,000 +4.0% 46 days 4.19
Attached / Townhomes +5.9% $390,977 -17.2% 28 days 4.72
Condos -16.3% $400,000 -8.0% 53 days 5.08

How to read this:

  • Detached homes

    • More sales and higher prices than last year.

    • Still popular, but taking longer to sell (46 days vs 33 last year).

  • Townhomes

    • Slightly more sales, but median prices are down sharply compared to last October.

    • Months of supply are close to 5, so buyers have room to negotiate, especially on price.

  • Condos

    • Fewer sales and lower prices.

    • Condos are now taking almost two months to sell on average.

    • This is the softest part of the market and needs the most careful pricing.


3. County-by-County Snapshot

The Del/Mar Coastal region includes Sussex County, DE and Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in Maryland. Each county is moving a bit differently.

Sales, Prices, and Days on Market – October 2025

Area Closed Sales YoY Median Sold Price Price YoY Median DOM DOM Change
Del/Mar Coastal (overall) +2.4% $419,000 -0.2% 43 days +13 days
Somerset County, MD +130.0% $199,000 -19.6% 29 days -11 days
Sussex County, DE -4.6% $460,000 -1.8% 48 days +15 days
Wicomico County, MD +20.0% $269,950 +5.1% 26 days +5 days
Worcester County, MD +9.1% $406,000 -7.7% 40 days +10 days

Inventory and Competition – October 2025

Area Active Listings YoY Months of Supply Change vs 2024
Del/Mar Coastal (overall) +16.1% 4.39 +0.41
Somerset County, MD +4.8% 6.24 -0.01
Sussex County, DE +13.1% 4.31 +0.23
Wicomico County, MD +35.8% 3.75 +1.08
Worcester County, MD +19.8% 4.79 +0.64

Plain-language takeaways:

  • Sussex County, DE

    • Fewer sales and slightly lower prices than last year, with more inventory and longer days on market.

    • Still a strong coastal market, but not as “hot” as 2021–2022.

  • Worcester County, MD (Ocean City area and surrounds)

    • More sales, but softer prices and longer days on market.

    • Months of supply near 4.8 suggest a calmer, more balanced market.

  • Wicomico County, MD

    • Stronger price growth and faster sales than the coastal averages.

    • Still relatively competitive.

  • Somerset County, MD

    • Small market, so percentage changes look dramatic.

    • Prices are lower and inventory is high, giving buyers options.


4. What This Market Means for Buyers

If you’re buying in the Del/Mar Coastal region right now:

  • You have more choices than last year.
    Active listings are up 16.1%, and months of supply have moved above 4, which is closer to a balanced market than a “seller’s only” market.

  • You don’t have to rush as much.
    A median of 43 days on market means most homes are not selling in a weekend. You can schedule a second visit, inspect properly, and compare options.

  • Where you buy and what you buy matters.

    • Detached homes in popular beach communities are still in demand and holding value.

    • Condos and some townhomes show more price softness and longer marketing times, which can create negotiation opportunities.

  • It’s still a real market, not a fire sale.
    Prices overall are flat to slightly higher versus last year. Serious, well-maintained homes in good locations still attract good offers.


5. What This Market Means for Sellers

For sellers, October 2025 is a reminder that pricing and presentation really matter again:

  • You can’t price on last year’s “wish list.”
    With more inventory and longer days on market, buyers compare homes carefully and walk away from overpriced listings.

  • Expect more showings before the right offer comes in.
    Showings are up nearly 14%, but buyers are more thoughtful and rate-sensitive. You may need patience and a clear strategy.

  • Condition is your advantage.
    Clean, updated, and move-in-ready homes stand out—especially in segments with higher months of supply like condos and townhomes.

  • Appraisals are back in focus.
    With prices flat or down in some segments and up in others, a well-supported appraisal is key to keeping deals together and avoiding surprises at closing.


6. Looking Ahead

So far, 2025 on the Del/Mar Coast has been shaped by economic uncertainty and more cautious second-home buyers. The year is on track to end with slightly more sales and modest price gains compared to 2024, but the pace is slower and more “normal” than the boom years.

Heading into 2026:

  • Buyers are likely to stay cautious, especially around rates and the broader economy.

  • Second-home and investment buyers may continue to move more slowly.

  • Local markets will stay very neighborhood- and property-type specific.

In other words: broad headlines don’t tell the whole story. What really matters is what’s happening in your specific micro-market.


7. Why Work with Square Feet Appraisals?

Square Feet Appraisals uses this Del/Mar Coastal October 2025 data as context—then goes deeper:

  • We look at recent comparable sales, active and pending listings, and your home’s specific features.

  • We account for local demand, seasonal patterns, and how quickly similar homes are going under contract.

  • We provide clear, easy-to-read reports you can use with your agent, attorney, accountant, or family members to make real decisions.

Whether you are selling, buying, settling an estate, handling a divorce, or planning for tax and financial reasons, an independent appraisal gives you a solid number you can trust.


CONTACT SQUARE FEET APPRAISALS

📞 (703) 855-1889
✉️ chris@sqftappraisals.com

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