News
YPN Bingo Night: Fun, Food & Philanthropy – March 4th!
Get ready for an exciting evening at the YPN Bingo Event, proudly co-sponsored by the SCAOR Diversity Committee and SCAOR Affiliates!
Join us on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025, from 5 to 8 PM at the SCAOR main office for a night of bingo, community, and giving back.
Entry: One non-perishable food item per person, benefiting the Delaware Food Bank.
Enjoy Complimentary food, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages.
Play: Bingo with fellow members and guests—all for a great cause!
Don’t miss this fun-filled night of philanthropy and friendly competition. Secure your spot—register today!
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The first SCAOR Young Professionals Network (YPN) Committee’s Breakfast Panel of 2025 was a huge success! With nearly 70 real estate professionals in attendance, the energy was high, the insights were invaluable, and yes—the breakfast was plentiful with delicious Surf Bagel bagels, cream cheese, coffee, and fresh fruit to fuel the conversation. This exclusive panel, “The Rental Rundown – Navigating the Rental Market and Laws,” brought together top industry experts: Attendees walked away with: In addition to the engaging discussion, the event included a special moment of giving back—Kevin Gilmore, CEO of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, was present to accept a $300 donation from the SCAOR Affiliates. A big thank you to our affiliates for their continued commitment to community support! If you missed it, don’t worry—this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more YPN events designed to help you grow, connect, and thrive in the real estate industry. |
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Adriane Gallagher – Short-term rental specialist
Moderated by José Quiñones, the discussion covered everything from maximizing rental income to protecting your clients and navigating today’s evolving rental landscape.
Georgetown, DE. Feb. 10, 2025 – The Sussex County real estate market closed out 2024 with a surge in home sales, even as prices showed signs of stabilization and homes took longer to sell.
According to the latest data, total sold dollar volume for December reached $263.75 million, reflecting a 23.3% year-over-year increase, though down 8% from November. Closed sales rose to 479 homes, a 27.4% jump compared to last year and 4.8% higher than the previous month—a clear sign that buyer demand remains strong.
While overall sales activity was up, home prices presented a mixed picture. The median sold price rose to $466,104, a 1.4% increase from December 2023 and 1.9% higher than November. However, the average sold price dropped to $547,960, down 4.3% year-over-year and 11.5% from the previous month, indicating that while more homes are selling, some higher-end sales may be tapering off.
At the same time, homes are taking longer to sell. The median days on market (DOM) climbed to 42 days, a 61.5% increase from last year and 55.6% higher than in November. The average DOM reached 58 days, up 7.4% year-over-year and 11.5% month-over-month—a shift suggesting that buyers are taking a more deliberate approach in their home searches.
Price per square foot trends also reflected this market shift. The median price per square foot fell to $226, down 5.8% YoY and 3% MoM, while the average price per square foot declined to $255, marking a 7.9% drop YoY and an 8.9% decrease MoM. These figures indicate some price adjustments as the market continues to balance supply and demand.
Despite longer market times and price recalibrations, Sussex County’s real estate market remained active to close out the year. The increase in closed sales suggests that buyers are still eager to purchase, even as they exercise more caution in pricing negotiations.
Looking Ahead
As the market moves into 2025, factors like interest rates, inventory levels, and economic trends will likely shape buyer and seller behavior. While demand remains steady, sellers may need to approach pricing strategically as market conditions evolve.
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Join us Monday, March 17th (9 am-4 pm) for this NAR certification course led by the exceptional Mary Chieppa. Master CMA essentials, collaborate effectively with appraisers, and understand how market conditions impact pricing.
Don’t miss this chance to refine your expertise! To register for Zoom, click here. To register for in-person, click here. |
Sharpen your pricing skills and gain a competitive edge with the Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification!
Unlock Your Potential: Join Our New Mod 6 Class on February 10th!
Are you ready to take your real estate career to the next level? Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights, reduce liability, and boost your productivity—all while earning 3 hours of CE credit for Module 6! (FYI – if you already have a Mod 6, you can use this course for your Mod 7 Elective requirement)
Date: February 10th
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Format: Hybrid—join in-person or via Zoom!
What You’ll Gain:
A refresher on CE policies to stay compliant and confident.
Goal-setting strategies to build a stronger, more successful business.
Expert tips to reduce liability and increase productivity in your day-to-day operations.
Practical advice on minding your money—not just making it—and creating profit by lowering expenses.
This isn’t just another class—it’s a game-changer for agents who want to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, protect your business, or maximize your profits, this course has something for you.
Choose Your Preferred Format:
In-Person: In-Person Registration Here
Zoom: Zoom Registration Here
Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today!
Don’t wait—invest in your success and sign up now. Your future self will thank you!
Licensed Delaware REALTORS® with 5+ years of experience—take the next step in your career with our comprehensive All Zoom, 99-hour Delaware Real Estate Broker Licensing Course, approved by the Delaware Real Estate Commission!
Orientation: Starts Feb. 24 6-9pm
Tuesdays: 9am-12pm & 6-9pm
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 6-9pm
Final Exam: April 17, 6-9pm
Course Fee: $999 (Early Bird: $899 if registered by Jan. 31) – Materials included
Materials can be picked up or mailed for a $25 fee.
To begin enrollment, interested persons must complete an online application available here.
For more information or questions, contact our Director of Professional Development, Stephanie Talbott, at stalbott@scaor.com.
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The Sussex County Association of REALTORS® is excited to announce their involvement in the National Association of REALTORS® Spire mentoring program, a groundbreaking initiative created to drive inclusivity in the real estate industry through mentorship and education which aims to inspire individuals from diverse communities to explore career opportunities in real estate.
This innovative initiative provides mentees with exposure beyond the traditional day-to-day business operations, such as marketing, appraisal, IT, property management, and financing guidance. Additionally, mentees will have access to live educational events, networking opportunities, one-on-one mentorship meetings, and a tailored online platform.
Stephanie Moody, SCAOR’s AE, expressed her excitement about the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® participation in the NAR Spire mentoring program. Moody stated that this initiative “will encourage individuals from diverse communities to consider careers in real estate and help them learn the fundamentals of the industry. Additionally, the program will foster education, empower individuals to seriously consider real estate as a career path, and cultivate the development of generational wealth through property ownership. SCAOR is thrilled to be part of this innovative initiative that will help individuals unlock their potential and succeed in the real estate industry”.
NAR Spire, launched in 2021 with nine pilot regions across the U.S., including Trenton, N.J., aims to empower individuals to learn the fundamentals of the real estate industry, cultivate generational wealth through property ownership, and foster education. As facilitator of the mentor program, NAR will provide resources and tools to help participants define expectations, set objectives, develop an action plan, and complete a formal mentoring agreement.
Mentors who participate in the program have the opportunity to play a leadership role in addressing inequity, network with peers, and increase their impact in the industry. SCAOR encourages those who are interested in pursuing a career in real estate to learn about the diverse paths available in the industry. The Association also invites REALTORS® who are interested in sharing their experience as mentors helping mentees unlock their potential, increasing diversity in real estate, and expanding their influence across the industry to apply for the NAR Spire program.
If you are interested in making a lasting impact in real estate, please visit nar.realtor/nar-spire for additional information and registration. For more information about SCAOR’s partnership with the NAR Spire mentoring program, contact SCAOR at 302-855-2300 or via email at info@scaor.com.
As part of its ongoing initiatives, the Sussex County Association of REALTORS (SCAOR) is celebrating “National Homeownership Month” this June by unveiling two impactful public service announcement (PSA) videos. These videos highlight the pressing need for affordable housing within our communities, focusing on workforce housing and the professionals dedicated to making it accessible.
These PSAs are a valuable resource for individuals seeking affordable housing options and for those working in the field to provide such housing solutions. Each video delivers practical advice and essential information on navigating Affordable/Workforce Housing opportunities.
We invite you to watch these videos on YouTube by following the links below:
In addition to these videos, SCAOR has launched a new Affordable Housing Resources (AHR) page, available at scaor.com/AHR. This page offers a comprehensive list of resources, tools, and support services for both home seekers and housing professionals.Join us in spreading awareness and supporting affordable housing initiatives in our community.
In addition to these videos, SCAOR has launched a new Affordable Housing Resources (AHR) page, available at scaor.com/AHR. This page offers a comprehensive list of resources, tools, and support services for both home seekers and housing professionals. Join us in spreading awareness and supporting affordable housing initiatives in our community.
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