Delaware - A Beach Haven for Retired Boomers

Part I

I am a Realtor and Delaware is calling me. I'm surprised as I grew up in San Diego and always thought I'd get back there someday. Actually, it's too pricey for me now and all my family is here in MD and PA. Jim's kids are here, too. PA is nice for retirees and after our recent canoe trip on the Potomac, we looked at a few homes in Harpers Ferry, WV. Jim said NO to that. Don't ask me why, please.

The advantage of reinstating my Realtor's license last year (11/07) was two-fold. I knew Jim and I would soon retire and move somewhere more retiree-friendly and my daughter and new husband would need a home in 2009. Simple, right? I'm a Realtor and can list my home, get expert advice from fellow agents as to price, etc and get a commission, too. I can refer myself to another Long and Foster Realtor in DE and get a little from that end, too. I found some clients along the way and have a Short Sale listing and am seeing that part of the market up close and personal, too :=)) I can also help my daughter find the best home possible and make sure it's a good investment, a great area and with good schools, etc. I HAD A PLAN:-))

After doing much research and having relatives to visit near Lewes, DE we started looking about a year ago in and around the Lewes-Rehoboth area. We looked around and gathered info about lower property taxes, no State Tax, no pension and SS benefits taxation, rebate for seniors on property taxes AND more house for your money AND you're at the Beach! We did nothing and said "we'll look again closer to the time". Time passed by and now we are down to the wire of Jim's retirement December 2008!

We've looked at many DE homes in many neighborhoods. We wanted to be West of Rt 1 and away from the seasonal crazies. We wanted a home that we just HAD to have in spite of the hit we'll take on our 3 year old home in Frederick, MD. We wanted a single family home with room enough for visiting family and first floor bedrooms for the "oldsters" in our lives, too. Of course we want it all!

We curently have it narrowed down to a few locations along Rt 24 / John Williams Highway, between Lewes and Millsboro - and we may just be ready to make an offer - maybe! It will be between a home in either Stonewater Creek, Harts Landing or Plantation Lake. The location is perfect; to the beaches in 15 minutes in one direction and to a new Harris-Teeter, Food Lion and many quaint restaurants in the other.

We go back tomorrow and look at a few more selected homes and will speak with builders, too. We are serious now and with interest rates promising to drop, the timing seems to be right.

P.S. We found a super Long and Foster Realtor, Julie Wilson and we are already planning to work together and bring more Boomers to Delaware!

Robin Ronald-Rousseau, Realtor, Notary Public / Long and Foster, Frederick, MD