Dover is drawing new residents because of its central location, city amenities close to the country and relatively low home prices compared to other parts of the state.
“Affordability and opportunity are two main reasons why Dover is attracting so many potential buyers,” said Shalini Sawhney, associate broker at Burns & Ellis Realtors. “Low taxes, affordable housing and the easy access to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philly, and New York City, plus a high quality of life are several key factors resulting in the growth we are seeing in our area.”
Although it’s a city with a hospital, major stores, restaurants, bars and boutiques, people also enjoy the rural areas just outside the city, like fishing on rivers and the bay, a drive or bike ride on scenic Route 9, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and Amish farm country. Reflecting that rural heritage, Dover is home to the Delaware Agricultural Museum.
The state capital features a park-like setting around Legislative Hall and The Green along with museums and historic sites where delegates to the state convention voted to ratify the Constitution in 1787, making Delaware “The First State.”
Dover Air Force Base is vital to the nation’s defense, while the Air Mobility Command Museum details the history of the base and military air transport services.
In addition to educational programs, Delaware State University offers concerts and sports events.
The city and Kent County each have a library and offer a variety of parks and recreation programs including sports, fitness programs, crafts and concerts.
Entertaining Dover residents but also drawing visitors from throughout the region are Bally’s Casino Resort and Dover Speedway.
So for those considering a move to Dover, here are the top 10 homes by price on realtor.com without pending or contingent offers as of 11 a.m. Aug. 9. Some listings may have received offers since the research for this story began.
$524,000 – 105 Eastbrook Court
2,834 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 0.31 acre lot, listed by Peggy Sheehan, Patterson Schwartz Middletown Center.
This property features:
- a Cape Cod style home built 2 years ago in the desirable neighborhood of Hidden Brook, a Dover address but in the Smyrna School District,
- main floor primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom, decorative transom window, walk-in closet, soaking tub, double sink vanity and a stand-up shower,
- open concept family room and kitchen,
- kitchen with center island, granite counter tops, pantry, large stainless steel sink, stainless steel appliances, soft-close drawers and cabinetry,
- view from kitchen through the sliding glass door to the deck overlooking the private, tree-lined backyard,
- central vacuum system throughout the home,
- large unfished basement,
- 2-car garage.
$525,000 – 21 Wildberry Drive
4,182 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 0.5 acres, listed by Jared Rowley, Samson Properties of DE.
This home features:
- an open floor plan with vaulted ceiling in living room,
- eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances,
- formal dining room with arched double window,
- huge deck for entertaining,
- beautifully landscaped yard,
- full basement for extra storage/living space,
- 4-car garage.
$529,000 – 94 Wolf Creek Circle
3,286 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, listed by Maggie Haass, Burns & Ellis Realtors.
This property features:
- a newly-built home and low maintenance living in prestigious Wolf Creek Village,
- lawn care with irrigation, snow removal and maintenance of all common areas included in condo fees,
- first floor with 9-foot ceilings, recessed lights and hardwood floors,
- formal dining room and family room with gas fireplace,
- gourmet kitchen with granite counters, tile backsplash, large island, eating area and appliance package,
- light-filled office/den,
- first floor owner’s suite with tray ceiling, two walk-in closets, sliders to a private porch and a spa-like bath with soaking tub, two vanities and a large tiled shower,
- upstairs loft space and storage area with two more bedrooms,
- 3 porches,
- partial basement and conditioned crawlspace,
- 2-car side entry garage and large driveway.
$549,900 – 157 Colt Lane
2,218 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 7,711 square-foot lot, listed by Danielle Benson, Century 21 Gold Key Realty.
This property features:
- a newly-built ranch-style home in the sought-after 55-plus community of Nobles Pond with fitness centers, social clubs and recreational facilities,
- roomy foyer with luxury vinyl plank flooring,
- spacious living room with an abundance of natural light,
- custom precision-lift shades throughout the home to control the perfect amount of sunlight,
- chef’s kitchen with an island, elegant backsplash, sleek countertops and special-order stainless-steel appliances, open to the living room and café for entertaining,
- primary suite with tray ceiling, large windows and en-suite bathroom with soaking tub, walk-in shower, custom tile work and double sinks,
- sunroom with French doors,
- oversized screened-in covered patio area overlooking a privacy-screening berm of trees and flowering bushes,
- 2-car garage with drop zone area with granite countertops, cabinetry and butler’s pantry.
$549,900 – 41 Pine Valley Road
3,750 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 1.16 acres, listed by Ellen Pfeiffer, Burns & Ellis Realtors.
This property features:
- over an acre bordered by a creek,
- formal living room with fireplace and dining room, both with 9-foot ceilings and crown molding,
- master bedroom with gas fireplace, huge walk-in closet and balcony with a view of the private, wooded backyard,
- family room with brick fireplace, built-in bookcase and new carpet,
- beautifully remodeled kitchen with island, large picture window, JennAir cook top and pot-filler faucet, cabinets with recessed lighting and granite counter tops,
- outside spaces for summer entertaining with 14-foot-by-14-foot screened porch and 26-foot-by-14-foot deck, fire pit and sitting area.
More Dover news:Boston Market closes, new buildings planned and other business changes
$559,900 – 99 Pine Valley Road
3,800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, 2 half-baths, 1.16 acres, listed by Shawna Kirlin, Patterson Schwartz, Chesapeake City Center.
This property features:
- a spacious colonial home in the desirable neighborhood of the Retreat in the Maple Dale Country Club community, within walking distance to the golf course, clubhouse, pool and tennis courts,
- perched on a large corner lot with a second lot included in the cul de sac for more wooded privacy or your future building plans,
- curved brick driveway to the 2-car garage in the cul de sac for privacy,
- foyer with cathedral ceiling, curved staircase and open loft space,
- hardwood floors and recessed lighting,
- living room with exposed-beam ceiling, brick fireplace and French doors leading to the screened porch and brick patio,
- updated kitchen with granite countertops, glass cabinetry and a sitting area,
- kitchen that opens to the main living room and dining room for easy entertaining,
- library/sitting room upstairs with built-in shelves and a bay window overlooking the backyard and woods,
- primary bedroom with balcony access, walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom,
- large basement with high ceilings, powder room and garage access.
$585,900 – 2746 Fast Landing Road
3,595 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1 acre lot, listed by Leroy Gaines, Rush Home.
This home features:
- an open foyer with cathedral ceiling and hardwood flooring,
- formal living room and dining room,
- office,
- oversized sunroom,
- gourmet kitchen that opens to the family room with gas fireplace and lots of natural light,
- a second sunroom that could be an exercise room or playroom,
- deck and a large yard where kids can play or for entertaining guests.
$595,000 – 111 Harvest Grove Trail
4,436 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 0.38 acres lot, listed by Shalini Sawhney, Burns & Ellis Realtors.
This property features:
- a center-hall colonial home in one of the most desirable locations in north Dover, perched on a beautiful lot,
- open floor plan with lots of natural light and hardwood floors,
- expansive gourmet kitchen with custom cabinets, granite countertops, newly-replaced appliances, eat-in space plus a huge sunroom wrapped in windows,
- great room with coffered ceiling,
- formal dining and living rooms with chair rail molding,
- main floor bonus room for an office or playroom,
- spacious primary bedroom suite with a large sitting area with his-and-her custom walk-in closets,
- outdoor space ideal for entertaining with extensive hardscaping, summer kitchen, hot tub and fire pit in an exquisite natural setting,
- full finished basement with wet bar, home theatre, full bath and room for a 5th bedroom.
$650,000 – 338 Blue Heron Road
3,128 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2.11 acres, listed by Peter Shade, Burns & Ellis Realtors.
This property features:
- a wooded private lane,
- contemporary house with reverse floor plan, spacious living and beautiful views,
- a large foyer flowing into a family room with wood floors, fireplace and lots of natural light,
- private office and large den,
- second floor living room with a wall of windows for great views of the yard,
- kitchen with island and space for casual dining and a table area with a great view of the backyard,
- spacious primary bedroom with sitting area, private bathroom, closet and sliding door access to the back deck,
- deck spanning the width of the house,
- screened porch,
- backyard with open and wooded areas,
- attached 2-car garage with shop, mechanical areas and storage,
- custom 60-foot-by-40-foot pole building with automatic doors, spray insulation, LED lights and concrete floor.
$1,200,000 – 10 Wimbledon Drive
8,533 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, 2 half-baths, 8.3 acres, listed by Rosalia Martinez, Team Martinez, Keller Williams Central Delaware.
This property features:
- a luxurious ranch-style home with the charm of country living on an equestrian estate of over 8 acres,
- gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinetry and built-in wine refrigerator,
- owners’ suite with his-and-her bathrooms,
- large entertaining area with game room, built-in bar and panoramic view of the pool and lake,
- finished basement with private exercise room,
- pool, bathhouse and outdoor cooking area,
- horse stables and indoor riding range.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.
