March Happenings

MARKET NEWS | EVENTS | FEATURED LISTINGS

“May your home be filled with laughter, May your pockets be filled with gold, And may you have all the happiness your heart can hold.”

Happy March!  As spring arrives, so too does a renewed sense of possibility, much like the promise of a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.The Spring real estate market often mirrors this optimism. We believe your home should be a source of joy. This newsletter will examine current market trends, offering insights to help you achieve just that, whether you're buying, selling, or simply dreaming of your own personal “pot of gold”.

We hope you enjoy our March Happenings; we’ve included some suggestions for sprucing up your home with “RefreshYour Home: Spring Cleaning Tips”, plus, our usual market update and featured listings. Plus exciting news of two new team members!  Read on!

Market Update

Sussex County, DE

February 2025

Single Family | Townhome | Condominium

The real estate market in February along the Delaware andMaryland continued to navigate a landscape marked by tight inventory andshifting economic currents. Limited housing supply, especially near the water,kept the market tilted in favor of sellers. In Maryland, we saw average andmedian sales prices rise, even as fewer homes were sold overall. Meanwhile,Delaware experienced a surge in new construction, particularly in SussexCounty. Affordability remained a key concern, with fluctuating mortgageinterest rates and ongoing economic factors like inflation playing a significantrole. The new short-term rental regulations in Delaware also added a layer ofcomplexity for investors. As we look towards spring, we anticipate the usualincrease in market activity. However, the persistent low inventory will likelykeep competition high. Interest rate movements will be a major factor in howactive the market becomes. And in Delaware, expect the trend of newconstruction to continue.

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

Refresh Your Home: Spring Cleaning Tips

The arrival of a new season is around the corner, and its promises of renewal and growth are the perfect excuses to start your home spring cleaning. Plus, if you're looking to list your home in the near future, a fresh touch could increase its perceived value.

A little sprucing up can go a long way, whether adding seasonal décor or checking off some deep-clean projects. Consider:

Giving Your Outdoor Space Some TLC

Begin your home spring cleaning journey and create a welcoming seasonal vibe by boosting your home’s curb appeal. Clear away winter debris from your yard, patio or deck with a good sweep or pressure wash. You can also give the yard care by mowing the lawn and trimming bushes. Additionally, add spring charm by planting flowers like tulips, daffodils or pansies. Incorporate a cozy touch by replacing worn and torn furniture with pops of color and placing lanterns in nooks and crannies to set a welcoming ambiance for crisp spring evenings.

Letting the Spring Air In

As nature awakens and temperatures encourage indoor/outdoor living, you’ll want to continue your home spring cleaning by examining windows and doors. Repair torn screens and remove dirt, mold and debris to give it afresh look. Also, you can add citronella candles or potted lavender near entryways to naturally repel spring bugs from entering your home.

Putting a Spring-Cleaning Shine Into Your Living Spaces

Inside, you can progress your home spring cleaning tasks and create a fresh canvas for the season by checking off a few deep-cleaning projects. Start with one room in your home at a time, beginning with smaller, manageable areas. Scan the space and consider shampooing carpets, organizing and decluttering closets or drawers (donating unused items) and scrubbing behind permanent appliances or furniture.

Creating Seasonal Inspiration

The more temperate weather invites thinner fabrics, pastel shades and warm, sunny tones. Walk through your home and see where you can adda coat of paint, artwork, patterns and strategically placed décor inspired by the season’s promises. Landscapes, botanical prints or nature-inspired patterns are go-to springtime essentials to include.

With a little effort, you can enjoy the season to its fullest. Let spring rejuvenate your home and your spirit!

Local Happenings of Note in March

There are many events happening throughout the area, below is a list of some of the highlights. We hope you will do your own exploring and research to find what best events and activities for you and your family.

March 6 – 9|  9th Annual Ocean City Film Festival March6-9 Features Films with Delmarva Interest |The 9th year of the festival will showcase independent films in multiple genres at iconic OceanCity venues including Flagship Cinemas in West Ocean City, Gold Coast Theaters in Ocean City, Morley Hall at Seacrets, Ashore Resort Hotel, Cambria Hotel,Dough Roller 41st. St., and the Performing Arts Center. Prices are $125for a 4-day pass that includes access to all the films, parties, and extra events. Day passes are also available: Thursday, $35; Friday, $40; Saturday,$40; and Sunday, $20. More information call 410-524-9433.

March 9 | 12PM-5PM | St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festivities at Quayside;

Spend St. Patrick's Day with the Milton Theatre! Live music, parade viewing, and much more! Parade starts at 2pm! BYOC! Bring Your Own Chair for this full day of entertainment or reserve seats for the full day with a great view of the music and parade route! Milton Theatre Quayside features a Beer Garden & Milton Theatre Food Stall.

March 15 | Noon|St. Patrick's Parade and Irish Festival Parade; Marching south from 61st to 44th Street. The Irish Festival runs from 11 am to3 pm. There is no rain date for the parade or festival. The reviewing and judges stand will be located at 45th Street Village Shopping Center.

​The 45th Street Village Shopping Center will be transformed into an Irish Festival complete with LIVE Irish entertainment, dancers, exclusive DIAC Irish apparel and plenty of food and drink. Festivities will begin at 11 AM and will remain open through 3 PM.

Our Featured Listings

32 Manor Drive

DAGSBORO, DE

5BD  |  3.5BA  |  3,748SQFT

10300 Coastal Hwy

OCEAN CITY, MD

2BD  |2BA  

602 Sussex Court

Bethany Beach, DE

4BD  |3BA  |1,872SQFT

Active Under Contract:36620 Putter Lane

FRANKFORD, DE

3BD  |2.5BA  |2,163SQFT

Grandma’s Irish Soda Bread

Credit: Sally’s Baking

Irish Soda Bread is a quick bread that does not require any yeast. Instead, all of its leavening comes from baking soda and buttermilk. It’s dense, yet soft and has the most incredible crusty exterior.

Yields: 1 Loaf; Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

1 and 3/4 cups buttermilk*

1 large egg

4 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more for your hands and counter

3 TBSP granulated sugar

1 TSP baking soda

1 TSP salt

5 TBSP  unsalted butter, cold and cubed*

Optional: 1 cup raisins

Directions

Preheat oven & pan options: Preheat oven to 400°F(204°C). There are options for the baking pan. Use a regular baking sheet and line with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (bread spreads a bit more on a baking sheet), or use a seasoned 10-12 inch cast iron skillet (no need to preheat the cast iron unless you want to), or grease a 9-10 inch cake pan or pie dish.You can also use a 5-quart (or higher) dutch oven. Grease or line with parchment paper. If using a dutch oven, bake the bread with the lid off.

Whisk the buttermilk and egg together. Set aside. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, a fork, or your fingers. Mixture is very heavy on the flour but do your best to cut in the butter until the butter is pea-sized crumbs. Stir in the raisins.Pour in the buttermilk/egg mixture. Gently fold the dough together until dough it is too stiff to stir. Pour crumbly dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can, then knead for about 30 seconds or until all the flour is moistened. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

Transfer the dough to the prepared skillet/pan. Using a very sharp knife, score the dough with a slash or X about 1/2 inch deep.

Bake until the bread is golden brown and center appears cooked through, about 45-55 minutes. Loosely tent the bread with aluminum foil if you notice heavy browning on top. For a more accurate test, the bread is done when an instant-read thermometer reads the center of the loaf as 195°F (90°C).

Remove from the oven and allow bread to cool for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or toasted with desired toppings/spreads.

Cover and store leftover bread at room temperature for up to2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. We usually wrap it tightly in aluminum foil for storing.

       Enjoy! :)

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