Live market readings · refreshed on loadAlameda County · CAMedian List$1.1M-5.7%|Atlanta · GAMedian List$456K+4.1%|Broward County · FLMedian List$432K-2.8%|Clark County · NVMedian List$469K+5.4%|Cook County · ILMedian List$389K+5.1%|Cuyahoga County · OHMedian List$234K+11.0%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$481K+0.1%|District of Columbia · DCMedian List$684K-0.7%|Duval County · FLMedian List$297K-2.3%|Fairfax County · VAMedian List$749K-0.8%|Fort Bend County · TXMedian List$370K-2.6%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$320K+3.2%|Hennepin County · MNMedian List$387K+1.8%|Hillsborough County · FLMedian List$400K-0.2%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$275K+7.0%|King County · WAMedian List$847K-4.3%|Los Angeles · CAMedian List$1.1M-1.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$259K+0.6%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$469K+0.8%|Miami · FLMedian List$650K+2.3%|Milwaukee County · WIMedian List$275K+5.9%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$518K-1.2%|New York County · NYMedian List$1.2M-5.5%|Orange County · CAMedian List$1.3M+2.5%|Orange County · Orlando · FLMedian List$449K+2.7%|Palm Beach County · FLMedian List$513K+8.6%|Philadelphia County · PAMedian List$300K+4.1%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$460K+1.7%|Queens County · NYMedian List$795K+1.9%|Riverside County · CAMedian List$623K+3.0%|Salt Lake County · UTMedian List$550K+1.9%|San Diego County · CAMedian List$999K+5.2%|San Francisco County · CAMedian List$1.7M+15.6%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.9M-0.6%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$259K-2.4%|St. Louis City · MOMedian List$312K+3.6%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$810K+1.0%|Wake County · NCMedian List$458K-6.4%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$224K+4.3%|Williamson County · TXMedian List$431K-2.1%|Live market readings · refreshed on loadAlameda County · CAMedian List$1.1M-5.7%|Atlanta · GAMedian List$456K+4.1%|Broward County · FLMedian List$432K-2.8%|Clark County · NVMedian List$469K+5.4%|Cook County · ILMedian List$389K+5.1%|Cuyahoga County · OHMedian List$234K+11.0%|Davidson County · TNMedian List$481K+0.1%|District of Columbia · DCMedian List$684K-0.7%|Duval County · FLMedian List$297K-2.3%|Fairfax County · VAMedian List$749K-0.8%|Fort Bend County · TXMedian List$370K-2.6%|Franklin County · OHMedian List$320K+3.2%|Hennepin County · MNMedian List$387K+1.8%|Hillsborough County · FLMedian List$400K-0.2%|Jackson County · MOMedian List$275K+7.0%|King County · WAMedian List$847K-4.3%|Los Angeles · CAMedian List$1.1M-1.4%|Marion County · INMedian List$259K+0.6%|Mecklenburg County · NCMedian List$469K+0.8%|Miami · FLMedian List$650K+2.3%|Milwaukee County · WIMedian List$275K+5.9%|Multnomah County · ORMedian List$518K-1.2%|New York County · NYMedian List$1.2M-5.5%|Orange County · CAMedian List$1.3M+2.5%|Orange County · Orlando · FLMedian List$449K+2.7%|Palm Beach County · FLMedian List$513K+8.6%|Philadelphia County · PAMedian List$300K+4.1%|Phoenix · AZMedian List$460K+1.7%|Queens County · NYMedian List$795K+1.9%|Riverside County · CAMedian List$623K+3.0%|Salt Lake County · UTMedian List$550K+1.9%|San Diego County · CAMedian List$999K+5.2%|San Francisco County · CAMedian List$1.7M+15.6%|Santa Clara County · CAMedian List$1.9M-0.6%|Shelby County · TNMedian List$259K-2.4%|St. Louis City · MOMedian List$312K+3.6%|Suffolk County · MAMedian List$810K+1.0%|Wake County · NCMedian List$458K-6.4%|Wayne County · MIMedian List$224K+4.3%|Williamson County · TXMedian List$431K-2.1%|
Property-class scope
ARED ScoreMarket grade · state
as of Sep 11, 2026
C+
-10 / ±100
neutral
−1000+100
Reason codes · heaviest factors
PM
Price momentum
+7.9% YoY median
+100
PC
Price-cut pressure
47.6% of listings with a cut
-100
IS
Inventory & supply
4.83 months of supply
-50
SL
Sale-to-list ratio
98.9% sale-to-list
+50
MS
Market sentiment
cautiously optimistic
-50

Provisional grade — derived from this report's measured data points; the county detector suite has not measured this geography yet. The measured ARED Score replaces it on the suite's next run.

State intel report · monthly refresh cycle
Track this state

Delaware

refreshed Sep 11, 2026, 3:22 PMnext refresh due Sep 26, 2026
Market sentiment: cautiously optimistic

Delaware's housing market remains fundamentally tight due to locked-in low-interest mortgages and persistent in-migration from neighboring high-tax Mid-Atlantic states. Home price appreciation has moderated into sustainable single digits, while days on market and inventory have slightly rebounded from historic lows. Sussex County continues to drive price resilience through retiree demand, whereas New Castle and Kent counties offer comparatively affordable entry points.

Market & county intel reports · Delaware
Minor markets

None — no population center in this class.

Deep property reports · latest 1 researched here
Latest readings
Median sale price
$366,600
Corroborated · 1 anchor · 3.5% off nearest
Median price / sq ft
$224
Median days on market
29
Active listings
1,835
Listings with price cuts
47.6%
Median price change YoY
+7.9%
Closed sales (monthly)
474
Months of supply
4.83
Sale-to-list ratio
98.9%
Median asking rent
$1,950/mo
Population
1,050,000
Median household income
$87,534
Avg effective property tax rate
0.55%
State Market ScoreZIP-SCORE-1.3 · 4/4 sections graded
61
Composite · average of graded sections
Computed only from this report's published readings — sections without data are excluded, never estimated.
60
Growth/100

Median prices moved up 2.0% year over year.

55
Liquidity/100

Homes spend a median of 64 days on market with 4.9 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.

52
Momentum/100

23% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 94.47% of asking — demand is holding steady.

77
Safety & stability/100

unemployment 3.9% · poverty 11.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.

Immigration & foreign-bornU.S. Census Bureau ACS · state granular
Foreign-born share
10.7%
Foreign-born residents
109,282
Naturalized (of foreign-born)
54.3%
Non-citizens (of population)
4.9%
Entered 2010 or later (of foreign-born)
36.7%
World region of birth (foreign-born)
Americas
44.6%
Asia
30.7%
Africa
14.7%
Europe
9.8%
Oceania
0.1%

ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this state — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident. Federal enforcement activity is presented only at the state tier as regional context — never imputed onto any county, city, ZIP, neighborhood or parcel beneath it.

Deterministic roll-up
3 of 3 counties contributed
Median sale price
$386,961
Median price / sq ft
$228
Median days on market
64.42
Active listings
4,347
Listings with price cuts
23.15%
Median price change YoY
+2.03%
Closed sales (monthly)
1,000
Months of supply
4.87
Sale-to-list ratio
94.47%
Median asking rent
$1,701/mo
Population
1,020,434
Median household income
$77,724

Deterministic aggregate of 3 researched counties — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.

Median home value · ten-year trajectory & projection

Delaware — researched statewide history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection

2016201720182019202020212022202320242025202620282030$180,000$270,000$360,000$450,000$540,000

Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.

State spotlight · the factual leaderscomputed only from researched reports' published readings
Hottest city
Wilmington
heat 79/100
median $240,000
+9.1% YoY
39 days on market
21% of listings cut
Hottest county
New Castle County
heat 74/100
median $352,500
+8.3% YoY
58 days on market
18% of listings cut
Hottest ZIP
ZIP 19730
heat 95/100
median $422,000
+16.7% YoY
5 days on market
0% of listings cut
Most discounted
Sussex County
29% of listings cut price
median $440,000
-3.3% YoY
71 days on market
29% of listings cut
Fastest mover
Dover
13 median days on market
median $345,464
+1.7% YoY
13 days on market
0% of listings cut
What's hot · what's notheat 0-100 · price direction, pace, negotiation strength, discount pressure
Hot · rising demand

highest heat scores

1Wilmingtonmarket+9.1% YoY79
2New Castle Countycounty+8.3% YoY74
3Dovermarket+1.7% YoY65
4Kent Countycounty+0.9% YoY60
5Sussex Countycounty-3.3% YoY33
Not · cooling demand

lowest heat scores

1Sussex Countycounty-3.3% YoY33
2Kent Countycounty+0.9% YoY60
3Dovermarket+1.7% YoY65
4New Castle Countycounty+8.3% YoY74
5Wilmingtonmarket+9.1% YoY79
Amenities & attractions4 retained amenities · 3 developments on the horizon

The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this state — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.

Inside this state
Rehoboth Beach & Boardwalk
Beaches & Coastal Waterfront

A premier Mid-Atlantic coastal destination featuring a mile-long boardwalk, clean beaches, and renowned tax-free boutique shopping and dining.

Cape Henlopen State Park
State Park & Nature Reserve

Offers more than 5,000 acres of ocean and bay coastline, maritime forests, camping, walking trails, and historical military lookout towers in Lewes.

Longwood Gardens & Brandywine Valley Attractions
Cultural Heritage & Gardens

Historic estates including Winterthur Museum, Nemours Estate, and Hagley Museum celebrate industrial history and scenic botanical gardens near Wilmington.

Dover Motor Speedway
Sports & Entertainment

Known as the Monster Mile, this landmark concrete superspeedway hosts annual NASCAR events and major music and community festivals.

On the horizon · announced & under construction
Chestnut Run Innovation & Science Park (CRISP)Life Sciences & R&D CampusUnder ConstructionMulti-phase redevelopment of the former DuPont site into a multi-tenant life science, chemistry, and advanced materials campus in New Castle County.
Wilmington Riverfront EastMixed-Use Waterfront RedevelopmentUnder ConstructionMajor multi-year expansion across the Christina River delivering thousands of residential units, office spaces, and green park spaces.
Delaware Route 1 Corridor ImprovementsInfrastructure ExpansionIn ProgressOngoing DelDOT capacity and grade-separated interchange projects designed to relieve heavy commuter and coastal beach traffic bottlenecks.
Area context
Crime & safety

Violent and property crime rates remain slightly higher in the urban core of Wilmington compared to regional averages, whereas suburban New Castle County and rural Kent and Sussex counties show lower rates.

Schools & education

Public school outcomes vary noticeably across districts, with top performers such as Appoquinimink and Cape Henlopen outperforming state averages on standardized testing and graduation metrics.

Environmental & hazard

Coastal and inland low-lying areas in Sussex and Kent counties carry high vulnerability to sea-level rise, tidal flooding, and severe coastal storms, impacting flood insurance premiums.

Growth & development

Economic expansion is concentrated around financial institutions and corporate services in northern Delaware, healthcare and logistics expansions, and rapid residential development along coastal Sussex County.

Taxation

Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. Federal (United States (federal)) — Federal General Tax Lien Encumbrance: Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer. Upon the IRS filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) in local county land records under IRC § 6323, it perfects priority against subsequent pur Federal (United States (federal)) — Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Tax Withholding: Imposes an absolute statutory obligation on the transferee/buyer to withhold gross tax from the total amount realized (purchase price) upon disposition and remit it to the IRS within 20 days using Forms 8288 and 8288-A. Rate structure and formula: Base statutory withholding rate is 15% of the gross

Recreation & amenities

Residents benefit from major Atlantic beach resort communities, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lums Pond, tax-free retail corridors along Route 1, and Brandywine Valley cultural estates.

Rental market

Long-term asking rents have stabilized near $1,950 per month statewide, accompanied by strong seasonal and short-term vacation rental demand concentrated in the Delaware beaches market.

Economy & employers

Delaware maintains a specialized economy centered on corporate law and legal services, banking, chemicals, biopharmaceuticals, poultry farming, and coastal tourism.

Transportation & infrastructure

Transit flows through the Interstate 95 and Route 1 corridors, supported by DART First State bus routes and Amtrak/SEPTA rail connections in Wilmington.

Development pipeline

State and county comprehensive plans focus heavily on balancing rapid coastal residential growth in Sussex County with farmland preservation and utility infrastructure expansion.

County appraisal district

Delaware's three counties are completing comprehensive court-mandated property reassessments to modernize assessed base years that had not been adjusted since the 1970s and 1980s.

Special districts

Tax bills primarily reflect county, municipal, and independent school district levies, alongside dedicated ditch or stormwater maintenance organizations in rural agricultural zones.

Insurance & hazard market

Delaware enjoys a relatively stable homeowners insurance market compared to Southeast coastal states, though coastal Sussex County properties face escalating premiums and strict wind/flood underwriting.

Migration & population flows

Delaware experiences net positive domestic in-migration, largely driven by retirees and remote workers relocating from higher-tax jurisdictions like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Foreclosure doctrine

Delaware is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state requiring lenders to obtain a court judgment; foreclosure inventory has cleared post-pandemic backlogs, placing filing rates near the highest nationally.

Disclosure doctrine

Sellers of residential properties are legally required under Delaware Code Title 6 Chapter 25 to provide a detailed Seller's Disclosure of Real Property Condition report covering known material defects before contract execution.

Discovery profileACS 2023 1-Year / 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates
Census profile · Delaware
Population
1,050,000
Median age
41.5 yrs
Owner-occupancy
71.4%
Median home value
$348,000
Median gross rent
$1,385
Median household income
$87,534
Median year built
1985
Vacancy rate
11.2%
Renter share
28.6%
Owner cost burden
22.8%
Renter cost burden
48.2%
Population change
+1.5%
Net migration
12,450
Work-from-home share
14.2%
Mean commute
26.1 min
Bachelor's or higher
34.6%
Unemployment
3.9%
Poverty rate
11.4%
Avg household size
2.52
White alone
60.2%
Black or African American
22.5%
Hispanic or Latino
10.1%
Asian alone
4.3%
Two or more races
2.9%

Data pulled from data.census.gov statewide profiles for Delaware.

Major employers & industries
State of DelawareGovernment / Public AdministrationLargest statewide employer with over 30,000 public workers
ChristianaCareHealthcareMajor health system employing approximately 14,000 staff
JPMorgan Chase & Co.Financial ServicesRegional banking and tech operations hub with 11,000+ employees
University of DelawareHigher EducationFlagship research university employing over 4,500 personnel
DuPont de Nemours, Inc.Chemicals & MaterialsHistoric corporate presence and global research facilities
Latest refresh summary

Delaware's housing market remains fundamentally tight due to locked-in low-interest mortgages and persistent in-migration from neighboring high-tax Mid-Atlantic states. Home price appreciation has moderated into sustainable single digits, while days on market and inventory have slightly rebounded from historic lows. Sussex County continues to drive price resilience through retiree demand, whereas New Castle and Kent counties offer comparatively affordable entry points.

Sources · 6 cited
Market signals — layered trendsDelaware · 8 charts · one line per tier in the chain

Forecasts are for speculation only and should not be used as a deciding factor in any transaction. Projections trend strictly from calculable historical values — the platform cannot predict market movements, market sentiment, or the market itself.

Assessed-value momentum — YoY
county-assessed values · 5-yr historical · 1-yr forecast at the trailing 3-read mean · no-roll-up tiers: own refresh series
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Assessed value — dollar levels
raw district CAD assessed levels · 5-yr historical · 1-yr forecast · property mix varies with coverage
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Assessed value — indexed trajectory
YoY-chained index · base 100 at each line's first charted year · 5-yr historical · 1-yr forecast
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Comp sales — month over month
nearby comp sales vs the assessed anchor · 5-yr window · 1-yr projection
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Active inventory — month over month
5-yr window · 1-yr projection
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Liquidity velocity — days on market
5-yr window · 1-yr projection
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Price-cut share
5-yr window · 1-yr projection
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Foreclosure presence
5-yr window · 1-yr projection
Awaiting measured historycharts once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate

Awaiting measured history — this chart renders once enough refresh-cycle reads accumulate (a one-point series is not a trend).

Standard trend model — solid = measured history · dashed = projection anchored at each line's last measured point, following that series' trailing pace (CAGR capped ±12%/yr) or trailing mean · projections are estimates, not measured reads · every charted series runs the standard 5-year historical window with a 1-year forecast, trimmed from the full retained ledger — the forecast always extends into the future year (a lagging ledger bridges to it) and stops there on purpose: authoritative, not wizardry · every price line is county-assessed value from the district CAD — the tier's same-parcel assessment roll-up on the momentum tile, the assessed trajectory in raw dollar levels and as a YoY-chained index (base 100), and the month-over-month pace from nearby comparable sales pooled from the research track; a tier without comps yet keeps its pace story with the assessed trend. Inventory, liquidity, price-cut and foreclosure lines run on the platform's own measured series.

Foreclosure ledgerDelaware · open the full ledger
Recorded notices
0
Statutory trustee notices in scope
Upcoming sales
0
No dated sale in the current set
Distress weight
0.0
per 10,000 residents
Weight band
LOW WEIGHT

No recorded foreclosure notices for Delaware yet. Counties ingest on the scheduled rotation — absence here reads as no recorded notices, not as verified zero distress.

Jurisdictional burden contextinherited governance · most-local first
State · Delaware
State Subaqueous Lands and Wetlands Permitting RestrictionsLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcels containing or adjacent to state-regulated tidal wetlands, non-tidal waters, or subaqueous lands.

Imposes strict land-use covenants and direct state permitting controls via DNREC. Prohibits filling, bulkheading, dredging, or erecting private docks and piers without a state Wetlands or Subaqueous Lands permit under 7 Del. C. Chapter 66 and Chapter 72. Limits buildable lot area and requires buffer protection setbacks.

Codified at 7 Del. C. Chapter 66 (Wetlands) and 7 Del. C. Chapter 72 (Subaqueous Lands).

State Coastal Zone and Beach Preservation Act Land-Use RestrictionsLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcels located along the Atlantic Coast, Delaware Bay shoreline, or within the state-designated primary coastal dune and beach building setback lines.

Restricts construction, earthmoving, reconstruction, and shoreline alterations seaward of the building setback line established under the Beach Preservation Act. Parcels in the coastal strip require permits from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC); severe building setbacks, sand dune protection easements, and structural line limitations attach to the land.

Codified at 7 Del. C. Chapter 68 (Beach Preservation) and 7 Del. C. Chapter 70 (Coastal Zone Act).

Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (DUCIOA) GovernanceSpecial districts & overlaysConditional

applies when — Parcels situated within common interest communities (condominiums, planned unit developments, cooperatives) formed on or after September 30, 2009, or pre-existing communities subject to specific mandatory provisions.

Imposes statutory super-priority liens for delinquent common expense assessments against residential units, governs association rule-making authority over parcel use and exterior architecture, defines maintenance and insurance burdens, and requires resale certification packets to prospective purchasers under 25 Del. C. § 81-409. Failure of the owner to pay assessments results in lien enforcement and potential judicial foreclosure.

Codified at 25 Del. C. Chapter 81 (effective September 30, 2009, with specific sections applying retroactively to earlier communities).

Pre-Foreclosure Notice of Intent to Foreclose and Mediation Program MandateForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — Applies to owner-occupied 1- to 4-family primary residential properties facing mortgage foreclosure.

Lenders must serve an official pre-foreclosure Notice of Intent to Foreclose at least 45 days prior to filing an action, containing required statutory warnings in 30-point bold header type in both English and Spanish. Furthermore, borrowers have the statutory right to participate in the Superior Court Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, which stays foreclosure proceedings while loss-mitigation solutions are evaluated.

Codified at 10 Del. C. §§ 5062B and 5062C.

Judicial Foreclosure Mandate (Scire Facias Sur Mortgage)Foreclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — Applies to any residential parcel secured by a mortgage in default.

Delaware is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state. Lenders cannot conduct non-judicial power-of-sale foreclosures; they must initiate a formal lawsuit in Superior Court via a writ of scire facias sur mortgage (10 Del. C. § 5061). Borrowers are served by the Sheriff with formal notice of demand. The homeowner possesses an equitable right of redemption to pay off the judgment up until the confirmation of the sheriff's sale by the Superior Court. Delaware provides no statutory post-confirmation redemption period.

Codified at 10 Del. C. §§ 5061–5067.

Delaware Radon Disclosure and Information ActHazard & insuranceBinds every parcel

Sellers must provide the buyer with a state-approved radon disclosure form and educational documentation (the DPH Radon Information pamphlet), specifying any known radon testing history, test results, and whether radon mitigation systems are installed on the parcel.

Codified under 6 Del. C. Chapter 25, Subchapter VII and Delaware Division of Public Health real estate disclosure guidelines.

Mandatory Residential Real Estate Seller Disclosure ActDisclosure & transactionBinds every parcel

Mandates that every seller complete and deliver a comprehensive written Seller's Disclosure Report to the buyer disclosing all known material defects, structural conditions, water/sewer/environmental conditions, and boundary disputes before contract signing. Failure to disclose material defects gives the buyer rights of action for actual damages, rescission prior to closing, or punitive damages in cases of willful misrepresentation.

Codified at 6 Del. C. Chapter 25, Subchapter VII (§§ 2570–2578).

Agricultural Lands Preservation and Farmland Assessment Act ExemptionTaxationConditional

applies when — Parcels actively devoted to agricultural, horticultural, or forest use meeting statutory acreage and income/production criteria under the Farmland Assessment Act of 1968, or enrolled in Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation districts/easements.

Qualifying land is valued based on its agricultural use productivity capability rather than fair market value, substantially reducing the taxable assessed baseline. Formula: Taxable Land Assessment = Agricultural Use Value (excluding residential homesite/improvements) * Assessment Ratio.

Governed by 9 Del. C. § 8329 et seq. (Farmland Assessment Act of 1968) and 3 Del. C. Chapter 9 (Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act).

Senior School Property Tax Credit and Elderly/Disability Exemption FrameworkTaxationConditional

applies when — Owner-occupant individuals who meet statutory age (typically age 65 or older) or disability criteria and local residency/income thresholds.

Provides a partial credit/exemption against property taxes. Under the Senior School Property Tax Credit (14 Del. C. § 1919), qualifying seniors receive a tax credit up to 50% of the school property tax up to a statutory dollar cap (e.g., $500 max). At the county level (e.g., Kent County/New Castle/Sussex), qualifying seniors or disabled persons with qualifying adjusted gross income (e.g., single income limits or combined limits) receive an assessed value deduction (e.g., Kent County assessed value deduction or school credit). Formula: Net School Tax = Base School Tax - min(50% of School Tax, State/County Cap).

Governed by 14 Del. C. § 1919 and respective county exemption codes; applications must generally be filed by county deadlines (e.g., April 30).

County Assessment Ratio and Ad Valorem Property Taxation StructureTaxationBinds every parcel

Delaware levies property taxes at county, municipal, and school district levels (the state itself levies no state-level property tax). Real property is assessed based on local standards established by county assessment offices pursuant to county code and Title 9/Title 22 of the Delaware Code. Reassessment tax rate mechanics require governing bodies to compute a 'rolled-back rate' upon a countywide or municipal general reassessment so that aggregate revenue equals the prior year's levy (excluding new construction); any adopted rate above this rolled-back rate constitutes a tax increase requiring public notice. Specific formula: Tax Due = (Assessed Base Value * Assessment Ratio - Applicable Assessed Value Exemptions) * Consolidated Millage Rate (County + School District + Municipal, if applicable).

Governed by 9 Del. C. Part II (County Government) and 22 Del. C. § 1105 (Assessments for Municipal Taxation; rolled-back rate formula).

Federal · United States (federal)
FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Mandatory Flood Insurance PurchaseHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — The parcel is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as identified by FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the loan is secured by a federally regulated or backed lending institution.

Requires the property owner to maintain flood insurance coverage for the duration of the loan. Failure to maintain coverage allows the lender to force-place insurance at the borrower's expense.

Governed by the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Foreclosure and Eviction RestraintsForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — Parcel encumbered by a mortgage or occupied by a residential tenant where the mortgagor or lessee entered active-duty military service.

Stays non-judicial foreclosure proceedings, property seizure, and eviction for parcels owned or leased by qualifying servicemembers. Foreclosure or distress sales initiated during military service or within one year after service are strictly invalid and void unless conducted pursuant to a valid court order or an express written waiver executed during or after military service.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-189; 50 U.S.C. § 3953 and 50 U.S.C. § 3955), originally enacted as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940; amended by the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Superfund LiensTaxationConditional

applies when — Parcel where the federal government (EPA) has incurred response costs for cleanup or remediation of hazardous substance releases, and the parcel owner was provided written notice of potential liability.

Establishes a statutory federal lien upon the parcel running in favor of the United States for all unrecovered cleanup costs, damages, and statutory interest incurred by the EPA. Rate and formula: Direct Dollar-for-Dollar Reimbursement (Lien Amount = Incurred Response Costs + Administrative Costs + Statutory Interest under 42 U.S.C. § 9607(a)). Exemptions: Bona Fide Prospective Purchasers (BFPP) and Innocent Landowners under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act are exempt from personal liability if they perform All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI Phase I ESA) prior to purchase and comply with ongoing continuing obligations, though a 'windfall lien' may still attach to the parcel up to the unearned increase in fair market value attributable to the response action.

CERCLA of 1980, Section 107(l) (42 U.S.C. § 9607(l)) and Section 107(r) (Windfall Liens), as amended by SARA (1986) and the Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2002.

Endangered Species Act Section 9 Parcel Take ProhibitionsLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains designated critical habitat or supports listed threatened or endangered animal species under the Endangered Species Act.

Makes it unlawful to 'take' listed species (including significant habitat modification or degradation that impairs breeding, feeding, or sheltering). Precludes parcel clearing, tree removal, earthmoving, or construction unless the property owner prepares an approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and secures an Incidental Take Permit under Section 10(a) or receives Section 7 interagency consultation clearance.

Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1538-1539; 50 CFR Parts 17 and 222.

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 ComplianceLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains a historic property listed on, or eligible for listing on, the National Register of Historic Places, subject to an undertaking involving federal permits, licenses, funding, or loan guarantees (e.g., HUD, USDA, or USACE approvals).

Mandates federal agencies to evaluate the effect of the proposed residential undertaking on historic properties and consult with State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO) and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPO). Restricts structural alterations, ground disturbance, demolition, or aesthetic elevations that cause adverse effects, often requiring formal Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) and mitigation measures.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, recodified at 54 U.S.C. § 306108; implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 800.

Clean Water Act Section 404 Wetland and Waters RegulationLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — Parcel contains delineated 'waters of the United States' (WOTUS), including jurisdictional wetlands, streams, or navigable waterways.

Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional waters on the parcel without an individual or nationwide permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Restricts residential site grading, bulkheading, retention pond construction, or development footprints, and may require expensive compensatory mitigation or off-site wetland credits to disturb designated acreage.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Clean Water Act), 33 U.S.C. § 1344; joint regulations at 33 CFR Parts 320-332 and 40 CFR Part 230.

VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) for Loan GuarantyBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — Parcel securing a residential loan guaranteed under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan program.

Imposes mandatory VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) ensuring the residential dwelling is safe, structurally sound, and sanitary. Mandates specific parcel covenants, including permanent year-round vehicular access, dedicated continuous utilities, separation from environmental/industrial hazards (such as high-voltage lines or pipeline easements), and certified termite/wood-destroying insect clearance in designated infestation zones.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944; 38 U.S.C. Chapter 37; 38 CFR Part 36; VA Pamphlet 26-7 (Lenders Handbook), Chapter 12.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Minimum Property Standards & Loan CeilingsBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — Parcel securing a residential purchase or refinance financed through an FHA-insured Title II mortgage.

Binds the parcel to HUD's Minimum Property Standards (MPS) covering basic safety, soundness, and security (e.g., structural integrity, adequate heating, safe potable water, clear drainage, lead-free surfaces). Imposes parcel-level statutory loan limits capping the insurable mortgage amount by county/MSA (ranging from the national 'floor' to the national 'ceiling' based on median county home prices). Non-compliant property deficiencies must be cured as a condition precedent to endorsement.

National Housing Act of 1934; 12 U.S.C. § 1709; 24 CFR Part 200, Subpart S; HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Single Family Housing Policy Handbook), adjusted annually by HUD Mortgagee Letters.

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) WithholdingTaxationConditional

applies when — Disposition of a United States Real Property Interest (USRPI) where the transferor (seller) is a foreign person (non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, trust, or estate).

Imposes an affirmative withholding tax obligation on the transferee (buyer) to withhold and remit tax on the gross amount realized (gross sales price). The statutory base withholding rate is 15% of the total purchase price (Formula: Tax = Amount Realized × 15%). Exemptions and reductions: (1) 0% withholding applies if the amount realized is $300,000 or less AND the buyer certifies personal residence occupancy for at least 50% of days used over each of the first two 12-month periods; (2) reduced withholding rate of 10% applies if the amount realized exceeds $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and the buyer meets the personal residence requirement (Formula: Tax = Amount Realized × 10%); (3) withholding can be reduced or eliminated if an IRS Withholding Certificate (Form 8288-B) is obtained or if the seller furnishes a Non-Foreign Status Certification.

Internal Revenue Code Section 1445 (26 U.S.C. § 1445), originally enacted under FIRPTA of 1980; standard rate increased from 10% to 15% under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, effective February 16, 2016.

Federal Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Disclosure (Title X)Disclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — Residential 'target housing' constructed prior to 1978 offered for sale or lease (excluding zero-bedroom dwellings, housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities unless a child under 6 resides there, and certified lead-free properties).

Requires sellers and landlords to disclose known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards, provide all available evaluation reports/records, provide the EPA-approved informational pamphlet 'Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home', and grant prospective buyers a 10-day inspection period (subject to mutual written waiver). Parties must execute a formal disclosure attachment; failure exposes non-compliant parties to statutory civil penalties and treble damages.

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (Title X of Pub. L. 102-550; 42 U.S.C. § 4852d); joint HUD/EPA regulations at 24 CFR Part 35, Subpart A and 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart F.

Fair Housing Act Parcel Design, Construction, and Accessibility StandardsBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel contains covered multifamily residential dwellings designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991 (defined as all dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units with an elevator, or ground floor dwelling units in buildings with 4 or more units without an elevator).

Imposes mandatory physical structural criteria on the parcel improvements: (1) accessible building entrance on an accessible route, (2) accessible public and common use areas, (3) usable doors for wheelchairs, (4) accessible routes into and through each dwelling unit, (5) light switches, electrical outlets, and environmental controls in accessible locations, (6) reinforced bathroom walls for grab bar installation, and (7) usable kitchens and bathrooms permitting wheelchair maneuvering. Non-conforming improvements require mandatory structural retrofits and subject developers/owners to federal civil actions.

Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 3604(f)(3)(C)); HUD regulations at 24 CFR 100.205.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Mortgage Foreclosure MoratoriumForeclosure doctrineConditional

applies when — The parcel secures a residential mortgage originated before the property owner entered active military service, where the debt is enforced during or within one year after active military service.

Restricts lender foreclosure rights by nullifying any non-judicial foreclosure, sale, or seizure of the residential parcel without a court order or valid written waiver executed by the servicemember during or after active duty. Courts are empowered to stay foreclosure proceedings or adjust loan payments. Foreclosing without a court order constitutes a federal criminal misdemeanor and exposes the lender to civil damages.

50 U.S.C. 3953; codified originally as the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, modernized under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-189).

Federal General Tax Lien EncumbranceTaxationConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is owned by a person or entity that has neglected or refused to pay any assessed federal tax liability (income, gift, estate, or payroll tax) after formal demand.

Under IRC § 6321, a statutory lien arises automatically as of the date of assessment and attaches to all real property owned or acquired by the taxpayer. Upon the IRS filing a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) in local county land records under IRC § 6323, it perfects priority against subsequent purchasers, mortgagees, and judgment lien creditors. Rate and computation: The lien secures 100% of the underlying unpaid tax assessment, plus compounding interest under IRC § 6621 (the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points) and statutory late-payment penalties under IRC § 6651 (0.5% per month, up to a maximum cap of 25%). No parcel-level homestead exemption exists under federal law against an IRC § 7403 judicial foreclosure or tax collection lien.

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) §§ 6321, 6322, 6323.

EPA Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) RuleBuilding & codesConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with target residential housing built before 1978 undergoing renovation, repair, or painting activities for compensation that disturb more than 6 sq. ft. of interior painted surface or 20 sq. ft. of exterior painted surface.

Legally prohibits uncertified contractors from performing qualifying physical alterations on the home. Contractors must be EPA-certified and adhere to specific lead-safe containment, containment plastic barriers, HEPA vacuuming, and cleaning verification protocols. Imposes strict recordkeeping burdens and exposes property alterations to federal administrative stop-work orders and civil fines for uncontained lead dust contamination.

Promulgated under TSCA § 402(c)(3) (15 U.S.C. 2682); codified at 40 CFR Part 745, Subpart E; fully effective April 22, 2010.

Clean Water Act Section 404 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) PermittingLand use & zoningConditional

applies when — The parcel contains wetlands, streams, or waterways that meet the definition of 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) as delineated under the Clean Water Act.

Prohibits the discharge of dredged or fill material into jurisdictional wetlands or waters without a permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Restricts residential site grading, driveway installation, structural foundation expansion, or shoreline bulkheading; unauthorized fill mandates compulsory site restoration and subjects parcel owners to civil penalties exceeding $50,000 per day under 33 U.S.C. 1319.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act), 33 U.S.C. 1344; current delineation criteria governed in accordance with Sackett v. EPA (2023) and conforming federal rulemaking (40 CFR Part 120 / 33 CFR Part 328).

Federal Historic Preservation Review Encumbrance (Section 106)Land use & zoningConditional

applies when — The residential parcel is listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or lies within an eligible historic district, and involves an action subject to federal agency funding, permitting, licensing, or mortgage assistance (e.g., HUD/FHA, VA, USDA, or USACE permits).

Federal agencies must assess adverse effects on historic resources prior to approving loans, grants, or permits. Parcel alterations, demolitions, or rehabilitation programs that receive federal assistance are subjected to binding Section 106 consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, restricting unapproved structural modifications or exterior elevation changes.

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 306108, formerly 16 U.S.C. 470f); regulations codified at 36 CFR Part 800.

FHA / HUD Single-Family Property Standards and County Loan LimitsLending & financingConditional

applies when — The parcel is being purchased or refinanced using FHA-insured Title II financing under the National Housing Act.

Restricts financing eligibility based on parcel and structural criteria: (1) County Loan Limits cap the maximum insurable mortgage balance per parcel based on local median housing costs (ranging from a federal statutory floor of 65% of the national conforming limit up to a statutory ceiling of 150%). (2) Imposes mandatory HUD Minimum Property Standards (MPS; HUD Handbook 4000.1 / 24 CFR Part 200) requiring mandatory appraisal repair escrows or seller cures for deficiencies regarding structural soundness, safety, soil stability, drainage, well/septic separation buffers, and lead paint encapsulation before loan endorsement.

National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1709); annual loan limit updates promulgated under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA).

Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) Tax WithholdingTaxationConditional

applies when — The parcel constitutes a U.S. Real Property Interest (USRPI) transferred or disposed of by a 'foreign person' (non-resident alien individual, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, or foreign trust/estate).

Imposes an absolute statutory obligation on the transferee/buyer to withhold gross tax from the total amount realized (purchase price) upon disposition and remit it to the IRS within 20 days using Forms 8288 and 8288-A. Rate structure and formula: Base statutory withholding rate is 15% of the gross sales price. Residential personal residence exemption computation: (1) If the gross sales price does not exceed $300,000 AND the buyer (or family member) intends to use the parcel as a personal residence for at least 50% of days used during each of the first two 12-month periods, the withholding rate is 0%. (2) If the gross sales price exceeds $300,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000 and meets the same personal residence test, the withholding rate is reduced to 10% of the gross sales price. (3) For all sales exceeding $1,000,000, or where the buyer does not satisfy the personal residence requir

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 1445; enacted via the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, with standard rate increased from 10% to 15% pursuant to the PATH Act of 2015.

Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (Title X) DisclosureDisclosure & transactionConditional

applies when — The parcel is improved with 'target housing,' defined as any residential dwelling constructed prior to 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities (unless a child under age 6 resides or is expected to reside there) or 0-bedroom dwellings.

Before a purchaser or lessee becomes obligated under any contract to buy or lease, the seller or landlord must: (1) provide an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet ('Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home'), (2) disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and provide all available records/evaluations, (3) attach a federal Lead Warning Statement and disclosure certification to the contract, and (4) afford buyers a mandatory 10-day mutual inspection period (waivable in writing) to conduct a risk assessment. Failure to comply exposes violators to civil liability, statutory treble damages, and administrative penalties up to statutory maximums per violation.

Enacted under Title X of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4852d), implemented jointly by EPA and HUD at 40 CFR Part 745 / 24 CFR Part 35.

FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area — NFIP Mandatory Purchase RequirementHazard & insuranceConditional

applies when — Parcel contains improved real estate or a manufactured home situated within a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA, such as Zones A or V / 100-year floodplain) in an NFIP-participating community, where financing is secured via a federally regulated, supervised, or insured lender (including GSEs, FHA, VA, USDA).

Mandates borrower to purchase and maintain flood insurance coverage (via NFIP or qualifying private flood insurance policy) for the term of the mortgage up to the lesser of the outstanding principal loan balance, the maximum NFIP statutory limit ($250,000 for residential 1-4 units), or the insurable value of the property. Lenders must escrow flood insurance premiums unless specific small-lender exceptions apply.

Established under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. § 4012a) and National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, amended by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012; private flood insurance acceptance regulations updated at 24 CFR Part 203 (FHA, 2022).

Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.