January Happenings

MARKET NEWS • EVENTS • FEATURED LISTINGS

"January is for dreamers—the ones who believe anything is possible in the year ahead."

As we welcome a fresh start in 2025, it’s the perfect time to embrace new opportunities and set your goals for the months ahead. If selling your home is on your list, there’s no better time to start preparing! Spring is one of the busiest and most competitive seasons in the real estate market, and getting ahead now can make all the difference. Use the winter months to tackle home improvements, declutter, and boost curb appeal, ensuring your property shines when the spring buyers come knocking.

Ready to take the first step? Let us guide you through the process and set you up for a successful sale! The Real McCoy Group can answer any questions you may have or do a market analysis so that you know the approximate value of your home.

2025 is going to be a great year, and we are ready to hit the road running!

We hope you enjoy our January Happenings, we’ve included some tips for getting your home ready to sell, but also they are great tips just for getting re-organized in the New Year!

Market Update

In December, the real estate market in our area continued to show signs of seasonal cooling, typical for winter months. Home sales slowed, with inventory remaining tight, especially in sought-after communities like Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City. High interest rates continued to exert downward pressure on homebuyer activity, causing some price stabilization. However, the luxury market remained resilient, with higher-end homes attracting buyers looking for long-term investment opportunities or second homes.

As we move into January 2025, it is expected that the market will remain relatively steady, with potential for modest price adjustments due to the lingering impact of interest rates. The demand for vacation homes is likely to remain strong, but first-time homebuyers may continue to face challenges with affordability.

Although some prospective home buyers are fatigued by higher rates and still-limited inventory, growing pent-up demand in the market will likely be unleashed during the first quarter of 2025 as rates begin to fall and inventory increases.

Please respond to this email to request a different market area, or a city/town snapshot.

5 Steps for Preparing Your Home for the Spring Selling Season

If you’re planning to take advantage of prime selling season, these steps will ensure your property stands out from the competition – remember that a little effort now can go a long way.

Boost Curb Appeal

The exterior of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it should be inviting and well maintained. Trim the lawn, plant fresh flowers and tidy up garden beds. You may also want to power wash the driveway, walkways, siding and outdoor furniture.

Declutter and Deep Clean

Buyers want to see a clean, organized home that feels welcoming and taken care of. To make rooms appear more spacious, remove excess furniture, personal items and knickknacks. Clean the baseboards, windows and carpets and don’t forget the often-overlooked ceiling fans and vents. Closets and cabinets should be neat and tidy.

Create an Inviting Atmosphere

Natural light is one of the biggest draws for buyers, so open up the curtains and blinds and let the sun shine in! Replace heavy, dark drapes with neutral-colored window treatments.

Make Necessary Repairs

Because a dripping faucet or a running toilet can be a red flag to buyers, make sure the plumbing is in perfect working order. To give the interior a polished appearance, patch any chips or cracks in the walls and ceilings and touch up the paint throughout. Check for missing shingles, leaks or clogged gutters and have your HVAC system inspected.

Stage Your Home for Success

Staging helps buyers envision themselves living in the home while emphasizing its positive attributes. Furniture should be arranged to highlight the flow and size of each room.

Where was the Real McCoy Group last month…

The Real McCoy Group was seen at Santa’s House in Selbyville! Pictured above are Christine McCoy and Ryan McCoy who were on hand to help Santa. Rotary Club of Sussex County sponsored two locations for Santa to visit with local children. Rotary Club is a not-for-profit, service-based club comprised of community leaders, business owners and civic-minded individuals.

Local Happenings of Note in January

There are many events happening throughout the area, we are hoping you will do your own exploring and research to find what is best for you and your schedule.

Jan 11; 9AM-11:30AM | Trail Day at Holts Landing; "Get down & Dirty" join our volunteers on our Trail Maintenance Crew in fun projects protecting, preserving and restoring our special Park. Coffee and Donuts will be provided. Visitors welcome. Trail Day begins at the Maintenance Building near the Toll Booth. Various projects occur through out the Park. Tools are provided, please bring work gloves if you have them. Tasks vary each month.

Jan 16-19 | MLK Weekend Dreamfest; Four unforgettable days filled with a vibrant fusion of music and fun! Come together with friends, family, and the community to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s enduring legacy and the vision he had for a world united in equality and peace.

Jan 17-23 | Berlin Restaurant Week: Menus will be posted on facebook and in the Berlin Welcome Center window on January 15th. Dine 3 times for a chance to win restaurant gift certificates. More information at the Berlin Welcome Center.

Jan 31 - Feb 2; 6PM | Fire & Ice Festival; Locations throughout the area. Experience the South Coastal Delaware as you never have before at the Fire & Ice Festival taking place on January 31 – February 2, 2025! This year’s theme is “A Weekend for the Books” featuring ice sculptures inspired by all of your favorite novels both new and old. Enjoy a weekend of winter festivities at the beach including multiple ice sculpture tours, live ice carving demonstrations, bonfires, a skating rink, inflatables, chili cookoff, drink tastings, and so much more.

Our Featured Listings

33307 Lone Cedar Landing

MILLSBORO, DE

33BD | 2.5BA

29752 FLAG OFFICER COURT

LEWES, DE

5BD |4BA |2,959SQFT

32845 WIDGEON ROAD

OCEAN VIEW, DE

5BD |4.5BA |3,700SQFT

COMING SOON:

37391 WOODS RUN

SELBYVILLE, DE

3BD |3BA |2,800SQFT

Recipe of the Month: Potato Leek Soup

January is the time to hunker down and do some serious cooking, and soup may be the best way warm your body, heart and soul!

Ingredients

Yields: 6 Servings; Time: 10 min prep, 25 cook

Ingredients

4 large leeks

2 tablespoons butter, can use olive oil

4 cloves garlic minced

2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, washed peeled,and chopped

5 cups vegetable broth, can use chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream, or more to taste

Chopped fresh chives, for garnish, optional

Serve with crusty bread and a salad for a simple and delicious meal.

Directions

- With a sharp knife, cut off roots and the tough dark green part of the leeks. Slice the white and light green part of the leeks into1/4-inch-thick slices. Place in a colander and rinse well under cold water to remove the dirt. Drain well.

- In a large Dutch oven or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

- Add the potatoes, broth, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and turn the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are fork tender.

- Use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot. Blend until smooth, but don’t over blend or the soup will get gummy in texture.

- Alternatively, you can blend the soup in a large blender. Let the soup cool for a few minutes before blending so it’s not steaming hot. Fill the blender halfway, don’t fill it any fuller or you will have an explosion. Place a towel over the top of the blender. Hold the towel in place with your hand and blend the soup. Pour pureed soup back into the pot. Repeat with remaining soup and return to the pot.

- Once the soup is all blended, stir in the heavy cream. Taste and adjust salt and pepper, if necessary. Gently warm over low heat.

- To serve, pour the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chives, if desired.

Enjoy! :)

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