Market Watch Newsletter - September 2026

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty provides this monthly analysis of the real estate market in Sussex County, Delaware.  Whether you are buying, selling or just have an interest in the market, we hope you will find this analysis useful.

As a Buyer, this can be a valuable tool for making an offer on a property. Having up-to-date information on selling prices of comparable properties will allow you to make the smartest offer.

As a Seller, having the knowledge to determine the listing price for your property can help you to obtain the best possible sale price in the shortest amount of time.

Contact one of our agents for reliable information on the real estate market.  To download the full Market Watch newsletter, click here.

The statistics referenced here and in the attached newsletter are based on detached single-family home sales comparing the current year to the previous YTD, and the current month compared to the same month in the previous year.  The sales statistics do NOT include the sales of new construction homes.  They are derived from the Bright Multiple Listing Service.

Active Listings/Current Inventory (all homes on the market)
As of the end of September, there were a total of 1,618 homes on the market, a decrease of 2.47% from the previous month's end inventory of 1,659; and an increase of 7.22% compared to the inventory at the end of September 2025.  Of the 1,618 homes on the market at the month’s end, 33% of them are new construction homes.

Closed Sales (new construction excluded)
For the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same timeframe last year, sales of single-family homes are up 6.84%, with 2,343 homes sold YTD through September of 2026 compared to 2,193 sold YTD through September of 2025.

For the 12-month period ending September 2026 compared to the previous 12-month period, sales of single-family homes are up 5.12%, with 3,080 homes sold for the current 12-month period compared to 2,930 sold during the previous 12-month period.

Comparing September of 2026 to September of 2025, sales were down by 10.81%, with 264 homes sold in September 2026 compared to 296 homes sold in September 2025.

Home Prices (new construction excluded)
For the first nine months of 2026 YTD compared to the first nine months of 2025 YTD, the average sales price is up by 5.17%, $669,711 compared to $636,802.  The median sales price is up by 5.38%, $495,000 compared to $470,000 for the previous period.

For the 12-month period ending September 2026 compared to the previous 12-month period, the average sales price is up by 4.95%, $670,765 compared to $639,130. The median sales price is up by 5.64%, $495,000 compared to $467,250 for the previous period.

Pending Sales (new construction excluded)
Pending sales (homes that have gone under contract) for the first nine months of 2026 compared to the first nine months of 2025 were up by 9.06%, with 2,372 homes under contract through September 2026 YTD compared to 2,175 through September 2025 YTD.

Pending sales for the 12-month period ending September 2026 compared to the previous 12-month period were up by 7.9611%, with 2,942 homes under contract compared to 2,725.

Comparing September 2026 to September 2025, pending sales were up by 13.04%, 260 compared to 230.

Days on Market (new construction excluded)
The median days on market for homes to go under contract has decreased by 10.80% for homes that have closed YTD through September 2026 (33 days) compared to YTD through September 2025 (37 days).

For the last 12-months compared to the previous 12-month period, the median days on market for these closed homes are 37 days, compared to 37 days during the previous period.