News

Shine a Spotlight on Delaware’s Good Neighbors!

February 21, 2025
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Help Shine a Spotlight on Delaware’s Good Neighbors! 🏡💙

The NAR Good Neighbor Award is the most prestigious honor for REALTORS® who make a difference through volunteer work—and in 25 years, Delaware has yet to have a winner! Let’s change that.

Do you know a REALTOR® who goes above and beyond to serve their community? Now’s the time to encourage them to apply!

🏆 Winners Receive:

National recognition for their cause

A $10,000 grant to further their impact

A trip to NAR NXT in Houston for a well-deserved moment in the spotlight

Many of our most dedicated volunteers are humble about their efforts—so they may need a nudge! Help us identify and encourage nominees who deserve this recognition.

🔗 Application & details: nar.realtor/gna

📅 Deadline: April 18

🎨 Promo Toolkit: nar.realtor/good-neighbor-awards/media-kit

Let’s put Delaware on the Good Neighbor Award map—nominate a deserving REALTOR® today! 🚀

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Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) Designation

February 21, 2025
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We invite you to attend the Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) Designation Course, a comprehensive two-day program designed to equip REALTORS® with the skills necessary to serve clients aged 50 and above.
REALTOR® Mary Chieppa will instruct this course and will cover:

Senior Housing Options: Understand the various housing choices available to senior clients.

Financial and Legal Considerations: Navigate the complexities of financial planning and legal issues pertinent to the senior demographic.

Effective Communication Strategies: Learn how to communicate effectively and empathetically with senior clients.

Course Details:

Dates: April 28-29, 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day

Location: Delaware Association of REALTORS® Training Room

Pricing: $100 for members; $185 for non-members

A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days. Space is limited, so we encourage you to register promptly to secure your spot.

For more information about obtaining the SRES® designation, please visit the official SRES® website.

REGISTER NOW

 

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🎉 YPN Bingo Night: Fun, Food & Philanthropy – March 4th! 🎉

February 18, 2025
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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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SCAOR YPN Kicks Off 2025 with a Packed House at ‘The Rental Rundown’

February 13, 2025
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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:

🏡 Adriane Gallagher – Short-term rental specialist

🏡 Steve Gilbert – Long-term rental expert

🏡 Sharon Palmer-Stauffer – Property management and rental law authority

🎤 Moderated by José Quiñones, the discussion covered everything from maximizing rental income to protecting your clients and navigating today’s evolving rental landscape.

Attendees walked away with:

Insider tips on boosting rental revenue

Legal insights to safeguard their business

Proven strategies for success in the rental market

In addition to the engaging discussion, the event included a special moment of giving backKevin 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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Sussex County Real Estate Market Ends 2024 on a High Note with Strong Sales and Rising Prices

February 10, 2025
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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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SentriLock February 2025 Training Schedule

February 5, 2025
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Whether you’re a new user or want a refresher, our training team has you covered with SentriGuard® and SentriKey Showing Service®.

SentriKey Showing Service®
With just one app, SentriKey Showing Service® is the first and only all-in-one solution for managing showings, client communication, and property access. On one platform, you can find appropriate properties, send them to your client, schedule showings, build a daily itinerary, plan your driving route, review the property listing details, open the lockboxes at the showings, view showing instructions and property details, solicit client feedback, rate the properties, and more. Register below to sign up for this training session to take advantage of all the SentriKey Showing Service® features and benefits.
SentriGuard® Lockbox Training
The SentriGuard® lockbox is stronger, more reliable, and smarter than any other, so you can securely and conveniently access homes while creating great home-showing experiences. It’s packed with innovative firsts and provides security above other products based on 20 years of engineering experience and customer feedback. Register below to sign up for this training session to take advantage of all the SentriGuard® Lockbox features and benefits.
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Elevate Your Career With A Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) Certification

February 4, 2025
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Sharpen your pricing skills and gain a competitive edge with the Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) certification!

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.

✅ Earn 6 CE hours (Modules 6 & 7)
✅ $199 fee (can be applied as your ABR elective)
✅ Offered via Zoom & in-person

Don’t miss this chance to refine your expertise! To register for Zoom, click here. To register for in-person, click here.

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New Mod 6 Class on February 10th

January 31, 2025
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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!

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Become a Licensed Delaware Real Estate Broker in 2025

January 30, 2025
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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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Installation for SCAOR 2025 President & Directors and Awards Ceremony

December 6, 2024
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