I want to buy a house in Rehoboth. What should I know?

[Anonymous]

So much traffic. So crowded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought in downtown RB twenty years ago. It’s been a great investment and has appreciated much more than our house here. I agree with all the comments made upstream.

For $2M, you will have a range of options in South Rehoboth, particularly the Country Club Estates neighborhood. As you drive into RB on Rehoboth Ave and see the big yellow Lingo building, hang a right and go down Scarborough. The neighborhood starts back there on the other side of Scarborough. I don’t see anything on the market there right now, surprisingly, but there are a few other places for sale in your range. The one on Philadelphia is tiny but adorable and would appreciate the most because of location.

I strongly recommend buying an older house if you want value. The new ones being put up are just slapped together and they all appear to have problems, even those built by “the best” builders. A lot of times people can’t see potential, when a simple coat of paint and some other changes will go a long way.

Will you reside there full time or rent it? We rent ours in the summer. Don’t believe what the realtors tell you that you will make - it is always less.

I’ll check back if you have any other questions. Happy house hunting!

PP, funny, sounds like we might be neighbors. It looks like there might actually be a former rental for sale on Scarborough for $2M:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/506-Scarborough-Ave_Rehoboth-Beach_DE_19971_M61863-17722?from=srp-list-card

FWIW, I am more of a walk on the beach when it's cold person, so we appreciate proximity to the avenue more than the beach itself.

Agree that traffic has gotten atrocious, so we typically ride ebikes between Rehoboth and Lewes. Love the trails--they've actually done a really good job of making the towns bike friendly.

[Anonymous]

no one is buying there anymore they're selling!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I am definitely keeping an eye on the area around Scarborough Ave.

A couple folks said they currently or formally owned a condo in Rehoboth. Many condos down along the boardwalk have great views, and I like the idea of low maintenance (for us) since this will be a vacation place.

What can you tell me about Rehoboth condos? Some have very high monthly fees, which may be ok if the HOAs are really good about staying on top of issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I am definitely keeping an eye on the area around Scarborough Ave.

A couple folks said they currently or formally owned a condo in Rehoboth. Many condos down along the boardwalk have great views, and I like the idea of low maintenance (for us) since this will be a vacation place.

What can you tell me about Rehoboth condos? Some have very high monthly fees, which may be ok if the HOAs are really good about staying on top of issues.

We are Condo owners in The Tides. It’s lovely in that there is a pond, pool, and it backs to the bike trail.
The current board is trying to change the rules to force those that rent to pay an extra $1,000 in fees per year, ban dogs, and some other things.

[Anonymous]

I like going to RB because it has several gay bars and is LGBT friendly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the appeal of Delaware beaches? I'll never understand the draw of that hellscape.

Close, nice restaurants.

No to nice restaurants.

It because it’s close and people are too classist to go to OCMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the helpful advice. I am definitely keeping an eye on the area around Scarborough Ave.

A couple folks said they currently or formally owned a condo in Rehoboth. Many condos down along the boardwalk have great views, and I like the idea of low maintenance (for us) since this will be a vacation place.

What can you tell me about Rehoboth condos? Some have very high monthly fees, which may be ok if the HOAs are really good about staying on top of issues.

I've never been inside Star of the Sea but the location is great. It's at the very edge of the commercial part of the boardwalk, so it's a bit quieter there. Still very close to Rehoboth Ave and on the boardwalk.

[Anonymous]

You should know about climate change and that the drive sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the appeal of Delaware beaches? I'll never understand the draw of that hellscape.

Agreed. People look down their noses at OBX in DC but act like Delaware beaches are approximately Palm Beach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the appeal of Delaware beaches? I'll never understand the draw of that hellscape.

Agreed. People look down their noses at OBX in DC but act like Delaware beaches are approximately Palm Beach.

The Rehoboth Beach is a big deal to Joe and Jill.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been going to Rehoboth my whole life, always renting condos. We currently rent in the Henlopen, and that’s where I would buy if I were in the market, although only the north/south/east-facing units on the outside of the building; I would not want a unit facing the plaza.

The building seems really well-run and well-maintained; it’s also quiet, and the apartments are large and well laid-out. I love the north end of the boardwalk; it’s quieter than the south without sacrificing walkability.

[Anonymous]

Traffic is a disaster in season. Don't bother if you can't leave on Thursday and return Monday. Or work from there. As bad as traffic is on the bridge, the drive from Lewes to Rehobeth can add another 45-1hr on bad days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Me too, but these last two hurricanes have really made me rethink. There are A LOT of houses in rehoboth that are street level. Bethany floods as does OC. I think that RB has just been lucky, and I am not ready to lose a $2m investment.

If you still plan to go ahead, I think being near town is the best. I'd want to be able to walk to town. I prefer the South end, but the North is nice too. I don't like the pines. Doesn't seem beachy to me at all and the actual sand part of the beach gets to be just a sliver in Rehoboth at high tide.

Large parts of Rehoboth are 10+ feet above seal level and on 100 year maps are still ok. Pay attention to flood maps

Mother Nature doesn't. 40% of flood insurance claims come from areas outside of the 100 year FEMA maps. And you don't want to measure risk by feet about sea level. Find out the Base Flood Elevation for the property.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the appeal of Delaware beaches? I'll never understand the draw of that hellscape.

Close, nice restaurants.

No to nice restaurants.

It because it’s close and people are too classist to go to OCMD.

That's like saying people only live in Chevy Chase MD because they're too classist to live in Cheverly.

Many people like Rehoboth for proximity to DC and other high COL areas and the walkability to good restaurants. Lupo, Back Porch Cafe, Blue Hen, Cafe Azafran, Blue Moon, Zoggs, Cultured Pearl, Stingray, Sazio, Henlopen City Oyster House, Summer House, Fable, Arena's, Egg, Green Man, Semra's, Eden, Jam, Goolee's, Mariachi, Cafe Papillon, Salt Air, and Shore Break are all places I've enjoyed good food and all within walking distance of my beach house.