7 Reasons You Don't Want to Move to Ocean City, Maryland

If you're considering moving to Ocean City, MD, or any of the areas nearby (like West Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines, or even Sussex County DE), there are a few things you should consider before you make the move. We’re often asked about the pros and cons of living at the beach, which prompted us to make this YouTube Video! After we had a lot of positive feedback from this video, we figured we’d make a blog post about it too!

When you're making a decision as big as purchasing a home, you want to make sure you're well informed and know everything that you need to know in order to make a sound decision...which is exactly why we're here!

If you’re one of the nearly nine-million vacationers who visit Ocean City every year, you might be wondering “What is living in Ocean City, Maryland really like, and what are the downsides?”

By the end of this post, we hope to have answered both of those questions by sharing seven reasons you might not like living at the beach.

1. Slower Off-Seasons

Everyone knows what Ocean City is like during the summer months. It's sunny and hot. It’s fast-paced, busy, and crowded. It’s a 10-mile-long barrier island that will play host to over 9-million people in the span of just a few short months!

What happens then, when summer is over, and our bustling beach town hits it’s off-season stride?? Are there things to do? Does everything close? Is the city even still alive?

We'll say this- If you don't like a slower pace of life during the cooler months, and a bit of a break from the busy summer you undoubtedly had, DON'T move to Ocean City, Maryland.

Yes, Ocean City does slow down during the winter months, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do! Restaurants and businesses do commonly limit hours or close for short periods. But this is also the time of year when the “bustling beach town” turns into a “beachside community.” Local businesses, Restaurants and Entertainment venues remain open, aren’t overly crowded, and they cater to the people that remain (aka locals). Restaurants such as Shotti's and Longboard Cafe give us that summer OC taste all year long! Great local hangouts that have become part of the real community of Ocean City.

Another bonus is we (locals) still get to enjoy the beach! Trust us- the beach in September, October, November and even December can be amazing! We get to escape to the beach in sweatshirts and shorts (local attire), enjoy the views of the Ocean, and RELAX. We also love to take our Jeeps onto the beach in Assateague and have a bonfire with family & friends on the weekends!

With all of this in mind- the main point is YES, Ocean City, MD does slow down during the off-season. BUT, if you do it right, this is a great time to catch your breath after the busy summer!

P.S. If you're wondering what specific events happen during the wintertime in OC, check out this blog our friends at Central Reservations wrote about winter activities in OC!

2. The Weather

We won't bore you too much with explaining the exact average temperatures for every month in Ocean City, MD. You already know that from the middle of June through Mid-September it’s prime time for the beach.

How about the rest of the year?

Well, our favorite part about the weather here are those surprise warm days we get often in the beginning-middle of Fall and early Spring. When we do get days like these- it's common people in our office take one of their "Sick Days." Yes, Grant, we know you were feeling JUST FINE the day after Halloween.

So, if you don't love a surprise 70–80-degree day on the first of November, you DEFINETLY shouldn't move to Ocean City, MD.

3. Traffic and Travel Time

We'll cut straight to the chase on this one. Yes, traffic during the Summertime can be a nuisance, especially on a busy Saturday morning. If you live 15 minutes for the beach in West Ocean City or Berlin, it might take you closer to 30-40 minutes to fight through the traffic and get into your beach chair.

We know what you're thinking... "OH NO! That must be so hard for you!" Yes, we know we're spoiled. Traffic in Ocean City, MD is likely nothing like what those of you who live near DC or Baltimore experience. BUT everything is relative, and we have to have something to complain about, so just give us this one!

There are also plenty of steps you can take to avoid the traffic. After living here for a few months and talking with neighbors who are beach veterans, you'll pick up on the busy travel times. So, try to avoid the stress and traffic as much as you can- and don't plan a breakfast with your friend who's in town staying on 120th Street at Uber Bagels on a Saturday morning at 11:00AM. Spoiler alert! This is when everyone is coming to town for their beach week!

If you absolutely cannot stand having to drive 40 minutes to get to the beach, don't move to Ocean City!

4. Senior Weeker's (a.k.a "June bugs")

If you haven't heard of this term already, Senior Weeker's are high school aged young adults who travel to OC during the first few weeks June to celebrate graduating High School and get their first taste of freedom. If only they knew what was coming! I'm sure we all long for the day's when all we had to worry about was our math homework!

Okay, now let's get back on track. Why did we bring up Senior Weeker's? Well, as some of you may already know, sometimes Senior Weeker's can be a bit loud and cause a bit of disturbance. They do however usually stay out of everyone's way and for the most part are respectful. Of course, as with any large group, there are a few bad apples, but in general, they really are just here to have a good time.

At the end of the day, it's a few short weeks in June. Most locals just plan around it!

5. Lack of Major Shopping Centers & Big Box Stores

For those of you who just love to shop, you may be a bit disappointed to learn that Ocean City doesn't have a lot of stores like Costco, Target, or Dick's Sporting Goods.

We do, however, have a ton of family-owned businesses in the form of bakeries, Ice Cream shops, clothing stores & boutiques, the list goes on and on! We also have plenty of outlets in both West Ocean City and Rehoboth where you can find some amazing deals.

6. Laid Back Environment

Yes, we know what you're thinking. "Why is a laid-back environment a bad thing?" Well, just wait until you find see the angle we came up with for this one. Our team has noticed that sometimes this "laid back atmosphere" is GREAT for people for a few days on vacation, but it's not necessarily the best for everyone year-round.

For those of you who are living in the busy cities that are nearby Ocean City, MD you should know that your current pace and lifestyle is much different from ours! Some people become accustomed to the fast-paced lifestyle in the cities and suburbs, and a laid-back atmosphere where there isn't always a sense of urgency can be a bit of a "culture shock," if you will.

If you think this, is you, maybe spend some extended periods of time in OC before you move here permanently!

7. Parking!

If you've ever visited Ocean City, MD on a busy summer weekend, you definitely know what we're talking about here. Our town does do a great job making sure there is as much parking available as possible. With that said, we all know when the crowds start to roll in, the amount of cars from people who are on a day trip can add up and begin to make it difficult to find parking.

We'll keep this section short and let you know that as you continue to live in Ocean City, MD, you'll get your own feel on the best times to come into town and the times to avoid. You'll also probably find a secret parking spot near your favorite beach or restaurant. At the end of the day, if our biggest worry is parking on our way to the beach, we think we have it pretty good!

Should you move to Ocean City, MD?

While we may be partial, we think the answer is a big YES. Our team is made up of all different kinds of Ocean City, MD locals. Some of us have been here our whole lives, others moved here right in the middle or moved here recently. There is, however, one common denominator. No matter where home is, once they got a taste of living on the east coast, no one has ever left.

At the end of the day, there are pros and cons to living literally anywhere in the world. Nothing is perfect! So, in our eyes, if the biggest inconveniences are occasional traffic, not being able to shop at Costco, and having some slow off-seasons, we think we're doing alright.

What are you waiting for? Start taking the next steps towards moving to the beach today! Give us a call or send us an email. We'd love to help you find your slice of paradise at the beach.

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: 410-430-5880

Office: 410-524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: 410-935-3810

Office: 410-524-6400

See you at the beach soon!

Thanksgiving in Ocean City, Maryland

Have you ever considered hosting your family Thanksgiving at the beach?

If the answer to that question is no, then this blog is for you.

Go ahead and picture a ‘perfect’ Thanksgiving. If you're anything like us, you probably envisioned a Thanksgiving where your family & friends get to spend a lot of uninterrupted quality time together.

If you're REALLY like us, you probably thought about enjoying some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Maybe that's your families famous Turkey or a honey glazed ham, a green bean casserole, a pumpkin pie, or anything else on the table for your Thanksgiving buffet!

NEWSFLASH: Ocean City has ALL of that!

So, here’s the nudge you needed. OC is a great place to be during the holiday season. You get to escape the daily stressors of life, enjoy plenty of time with those closest to you, and partake in some fun family activities!

Stop wondering if you’re able to have Thanksgiving at the beach. It’s a silly question. YES, YOU ARE! Plus, there are loads of fun activities and restaurants open for you and your family to visit if you don’t feel like cooking.

And here’s a great opportunity for our real estate plug: We have lots of great condos that would be a perfect place to host your next Turkey-Day dinner (lunch, brunch… or whatever you want to call it).

Ocean City Thanksgiving Events & Places to Eat

Contrary to popular belief, Ocean City, MD doesn't turn into a complete ghost town in the off-season. To many peoples surprise, there are plenty of locals that actually get to call this place home! And plenty more, who haven’t yet ‘moved’ here full-time, but manage to use their second home almost as much as their primary.

With this expanding year-round use, the town of OC does an excellent job making sure there are events for everyone to enjoy while they're “at the beach.” Here are just a few of our favorite family activities to attend during the Thanksgiving Holiday:

Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park

If you and your family are ready to get into the holiday spirit, make sure you head to North Ocean City, MD and attend the Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park. While there is no tram touring the light festival this year, it's still a great time to walk around and see the stunning light display with your family.

To view the Winterfest of Light's hours and for more details, click here!

Jolly Roger Black Friday Event

After everyone in the family enjoyed a great Thanksgiving together and got a good night’s rest, we highly recommend you visit Jolly Roger amusement park on Black Friday. It's a great opportunity to spend even more time with your family and take advantage of a 50% off all passes and select merchandise. Additionally, there will be live music, hot chocolate, cookies, and fire pits. We don't know about you, but that sure sounds like a good time to us!

Learn more about the Jolly Roger Black Friday event here!

Eastern Shore Train, Toy, and Hobby Show

Last, but certainly not least, the Ocean City, MD convention center will be having a Train, Toy, and Hobby show on the weekend following Thanksgiving. Once again, this is another great opportunity to have some family fun on Thanksgiving weekend in OC!

For more info about the Eastern Shore Train, Toy, and Hobby show at the OC convention center, click here!

Places to Eat Thanksgiving Dinner in OCMD

If you don't particularly care for spending hours and hours in the kitchen preparing Thanksgiving dinner, OR if your family can't be counted on to bring along a few tasty side dishes and you prefer to eat out for Thanksgiving, don't worry! Ocean City still has plenty of options for you!

Spain Wine Bar

If you enjoy the finer side of life and want a true experience for Thanksgiving dinner, Spain Wine Bar is the place for you. While we haven't personally enjoyed a Thanksgiving style meal at Spain, we're sure they came up with something special. If our past experiences at Spain are any indication, you won't be disappointed.

Alley Oops

If you're travelling to Ocean City with younger children for Thanksgiving, Alley Oops is going to be the place to be. While they are only serving up food from their late-night menu, this is a great place for the kids to enjoy playing arcade games while parents enjoy a beverage and some snacks. If you do decide to have your family dinner at home, Alley Oops is a great place to go afterwards.

Check out Alley Oops website for more details!

Saltwater 75

Now, we don't know about you, but Thanksgiving Dinner with a bay view sounds wonderful to us. Saltwater 75 is a great place to enjoy just that! They are open from 12-8 on Thanksgiving and will feature a Thanksgiving menu along with their standard full menu!

Visit the Saltwater 75 website here to learn more!

3 Homes For Sale Perfect for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner (In Ocean City, MD)

#1: Gateway Grand Penthouse #1706

The first home currently on the market in Ocean City, MD that we think is a PERFECT place to host your families Thanksgiving dinner is Gateway Grand Penthouse #1706. This Penthouse's stunning Ocean Views & spacious living/dining area will make for an unforgettable Thanksgiving.

Picture waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee with a blanket on the balcony, cooking and eating Thanksgiving Dinner with an Ocean View, then ending your night watching football and enjoying a glass of wine while watching the sunset over the Assawoman bay. We don't know about you, but that sounds like a pretty good Thanksgiving!

#2: 8716 Old Ocean City Rd

Next on our list of homes for sale that are a perfect place to host thanksgiving dinner is 8716 Old Ocean City Rd in Berlin, MD. Yes, we know... this home isn't in Ocean City, MD. It is, however, about a 10-minute drive into town, so we think it counts.

This home rests on 30+ acres... plenty of space for a Thanksgiving morning football game, or any other fun outdoor activities with the kids. There is also a firepit, and even a pole barn with an awesome game room and a bar. If you're one who loves to host Thanksgiving Dinner, or any other event with family and friends, this home is perfect for just that!

#3: 12899 Lake Pl

This home in West Ocean City is wonderfully renovated and would make for a wonderful place to host Thanksgiving dinner. The spacious living and dining area, and decently sized back yard mean there's plenty of space for the family to enjoy time together. This home also has a room that is currently used as a playroom for the kids- so if you have a few little ones, it's perfect.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you enjoyed our blog on how to enjoy Thanksgiving in Ocean City, MD!

If you're interested in any of the properties we listed today or have been thinking about buying or selling your Ocean City, MD home or condo, don't hesitate to reach out! We'd love to help!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: 410-430-5880

Office : 410-524-6400

Jon Barker

Email : jon@markf.com

Cell: 410-935-3810

Office: 410-524-6400

See you at the beach soon!

What Part of the Ocean City, MD Beach Area is the Best?

If you've ever been to Ocean City on the eastern shore of Maryland, you probably know that there are 3 different "sections" or "areas" that people commonly refer to when discussing different locations in OC. These 3 areas are Downtown, Midtown, and North Ocean City. When buyers who are interested in purchasing in OCMD reach out to us, a common question we hear is "What part of Ocean City, MD is the best"?

For the purpose of today's blog, we'll leave out West Ocean City and focus solely on the strip of land that's sandwiched by the Assawoman Bay and Atlantic Ocean. We'll go into more detail later about what defines these "area's," but first, let's talk a bit about how Ocean City, MD as we know it today came to be!

What we now call Ocean City, MD originally dates all the way back to 1875 in what we now call the "downtown" area (more on that later). At first, this was nothing more than a small fishing town! Then, the construction of the first Beachfront Inn marked the beginning of the transition to Ocean City as we know it today.

In 1933, a major hurricane passed through this relatively quiet beach town and created the inlet. Guess what? This caused the fishing industry to boom as there was now direct access to the Atlantic Ocean from the Assawoman Bay. This was the true turning point that began the transformation of our little beach town.

Downtown

We'll begin in what locals know as "Downtown Ocean City." We define this area as being from the inlet all the way to 40th street. Downtown OC is in the southern end of town and was the first part of our town to be developed. Downtown OC is home to City Hall and is connected to everything inland via the Rt. 50 bridge. The Downtown area is the "heart" of Ocean City.

So, you may be asking "what is Downtown Ocean City, MD like?" We'll touch more on the specifics below, but downtown OC is probably the "busiest" part of town. If you like being in the heart of it all, seeing families passing by left and right, being able to walk to pretty much any attraction or restaurant you want, so on and so forth, then Downtown OC is for you!

How are the beaches in Downtown Ocean City, MD?

The beaches in Downtown Ocean City are probably the busiest in town. While this may be a negative to some, it doesn't mean you can't find space to relax on the beach. You can still enjoy some peace and quiet on the beach. While there will always be a few rowdy groups no matter where you go, for the most part, everyone is very respectful.

What is the Boardwalk in Ocean City, MD like?

If you've never been to the Ocean City, Md Boardwalk, we HIGHLY recommend you pay a visit. If you're a parent looking for family friendly activities, or even just a morning stroll by the beach, you're going to love it.

Our Boardwalk is consistently ranked as one of the top boardwalks in the country! There are shops, restaurants, arcades, and everything in between!

Restaurants & Attractions in Downtown Ocean City

There are simply too many famous Restaurants & attractions in Downtown Ocean City to name, but we'll name a few of our favorites that are all different in their own respects. If you happen to check any of these awesome restaurant's or attractions, post a photo and tag our Instagram or Facebook account!

Fine Dining: Spain Wine Bar.

On the Boardwalk: Dough Roller, Piezanos Pizza, Bull on the Beach.

Breakfast: Brass Balls Saloon, Crepe Daddy, Laytons.

Locals Favorites: Embers, Blu Crabhouse & Raw Bar, Shotti's Point.

Arcades: Sportland Arcade, Fun City Arcade

Amusement Parks: Jolly Roger, Trimper Rides

If you're looking to take a vacation to Downtown Ocean City, or if you need a place to stay when you come condo shopping, contact our friends at Central Reservations!

Properties in Downtown Ocean City

In Downtown Ocean City you'll find a lot of different types of properties. From newer large condo buildings such as South Beach and Belmont Towers, to older & more historic buildings, Downtown OC has every type of property you can imagine.

When people reach out to us to begin their Ocean City, MD condo search, they often have a misconception that peace and quiet can't be found in Downtown OC. While it is a bit more difficult to find in Downtown, there are communities such as Harbour Island, which is a gated community with tennis courts, pools, and beautiful properties. It's a great place to find some peace and quiet in the hustle and bustle in Downtown OC!

Midtown Ocean City, MD

Moving North, we'll take you along to Midtown Ocean City, MD next. We define Midtown OC as stretching from 41st to 92nd Street. This area "Moving up to Mid-Town Ocean City, which unofficially stretches from 41st Street to 92nd Street.

Midtown Ocean City, MD can often be forgotten about. It's where people going to downtown or North OC travel straight through to get to their destination after they cross the Rt. 90 bridge on 62nd Street. If you're searching for real estate in OC, for WHATEVER reason, don't forget about midtown! There are so many benefits to being in Midtown OC that go unrealized!

Beaches in Midtown Ocean City

The beaches in Midtown Ocean City, MD are less crowded than downtown, and at times even North Ocean City. If you're looking for some true peace and quiet, the Midtown Beaches are the best place to enjoy just that! There's even a small stretch of beach that locals call "the desert."

Restaurants & Attractions in Midtown Ocean City

Midtown Ocean City, MD is home to two of the most popular attractions in all of OC, Seacrets Bar and Grille and Fager's Island. Both Seacrets and Fagers can provide you with whatever experience you’re in the mood for that day!

By day Fager's is a great place to have a scrumptious waterfront lunch or dinner with your family. By night, Fager's has a happening night life and is filled with people dancing and mingling with friends. The same goes for Seacrets! By day, Seacrets is a great place to have a casual lunch with your family. By night, it's busy as could be, and even has its own "Nite Club" area!

Fun Fact- Seacrets was ranked as one of the top 15 entertainment venues... in all of the United States. Pretty cool for a “bar” in Ocean City, right?!

Here are some of our other favorite Restaurants & Attractions in Midtown OC! Planning on visiting one of these establishments? Post a photo and tag our Instagram or Facebook account!

Fine Dining: The Hobbit Restaurant

Family Restaurants: Dead Freddies, Bad Monkey, & Ropewalk.

Locals Favorites: Longboard Cafe, Mione's Pizza, & The Bayside Skillet

Mini Golf: Nick's Mini Golf & Old Pro Golf

Properties in Midtown Ocean City

Midtown Ocean City also has just about every type of property that you could dream up. Midtown is home to the luxury high-rise building- The Gateway Grand Condominium. It is also home to an area locals know as "Little Salisbury," which has everything from single family homes to bayfront condos, townhomes, and everything in between!

We'll tell you once more- Midtown Ocean City is an area that is often overlooked. We, however, think that's wrong! By being in Midtown OC, you have quiet beaches, two of OC's most famous restaurants/attractions, a number of awesome restaurants, and so much more. That's without even mentioning that by being in the smack dab middle of OC, you're not too far from anything. Drive 15 minutes North or South and you can be ANYWHERE in Ocean City!

North OC & Highrise Row

As we continue on north, we're going to finish today's blog off with an area commonly referred to as North Ocean City, which is also home to the infamous High-rise Row (also known as Condo Row). In our eyes, North OC begins where the High-rises begin. So, North Ocean City, MD begins on 93rd Street and stretches all the way to the MD & DE line on 145th Street.

As we mentioned before, 'High-rise' or 'Condo' Row is within this area of North Ocean City, but many think of it as being an area of its own. For the purpose of this blog, let's stick to North Ocean City being the home of High-rise Row.

North Ocean City was the last area of our town to be developed. Areas such as Caine Keys and Caine Woods were developed in the 1960's, and plenty of other buildings were built in the 80s and the 90s. If you're looking to buy in a "newer" building, North OC or High-rise row is a good area to begin your search.

Beaches in North Ocean City & Highrise Row

While many think that the beaches in High-rise row are the most crowded in OC, this is a bit of a misconception. While these buildings are huge (some housing north of 400 units), at the end of the day, that's not enough to pack out the Ocean City beach. Once you get past High-rise row, and you're in the heart of North Ocean City, the beaches are usually very quiet and relaxing.

Restaurants & Attractions in North Ocean City & Highrise Row

There are a number of Restaurants & Attractions in North Ocean City, MD for you to enjoy while you're in town! North OC is home to Northside Park, which is probably the most popular attraction in this area. Northside Park is where OC sets off their July 4th fireworks show, but the fun doesn't stop there. Northside Park has a playground, bike trails, baseball fields, and tons of summer camps!

North OC is also home to the Gold Coast Mall, which has an awesome movie theater that was just renovated!

North OC is also home to some other amazing restaurants. Here are a couple of our favorites:

Fine Dining: Cafe Mirage

Family Restaurants: Tail Chasers, Lombardi's, Alley Oops Uptown (also an arcade!)

Locals Favorites: Liquid Assets, Bull on the Beach, The Original Crabcake Factory, The Original Greene Turtle

Properties in North Ocean City & Highrise Row

North Ocean City, MD is probably the most diverse area of those that we've mentioned. As you now know, there are A LOT of High-rise condo buildings from 94th Street to the end of "High-rise" or "Condo" row on 118th St. Once you get past High-rise row, there are TONS of smaller condominiums that are perfect for those looking for a humble beach retreat.

On top of that, there are single family homes that are on the bayside of OC, as well as trailers, waterfront townhomes, and just about every other type of property you can think of.

North Ocean City is also home to Caine woods. Caine woods is an area on the bayside of North Ocean City that stretches from 136th Street to 145th Street. Having a home here still gives you all the benefits of being in OC, as you're just a short drive away from being on Coastal Highway, but you're a bit more tucked away so you can enjoy some peace and quiet. To view Caine woods homes for sale, click here!

So, which part of Ocean City, MD is the best?

After we gave you all of this awesome information- we still have to answer our original question. What part of the Ocean City, MD beach area is the best??

Well, unfortunately we don't really have an answer for you. In Ocean City, there truly is something for everyone. No matter your preferences, we can find you a beach house that you'll love. SO many realtors make the mistake of not identifying their client’s needs & wants- and just search for every home that fits their clients price range and criteria.

Our team wants you to find a beach property that is right for you. We don't just want another sale... we want YOU to be happy with YOUR decision. We want you & your family to make memories at your new beach place for years to come!

Thanks for reading!

We hope you enjoyed this blog all about the different areas in Ocean City, MD! Our goal is to share the most relevant and helpful information we can with you so that you can be the most informed beach buyer there is.

If you're interested in learning more, or are thinking about buying or selling, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: 410-430-5880

Office: 410-524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: 410-935-3810

Office: 410-524-6400

See you at the beach soon!

Ocean City Maryland Real Estate Market Report: October 2024

Our Current Market

The Ocean City, MD real estate market is one that is significantly different from other more traditional markets, specifically those in Maryland.  So far this year, Ocean City, MD has experienced a relatively steady pace in new condo sales and new listings.   While inventory is still historically low, it has increased enough that buyers have often times have good ‘options’ to choose from.

Of course, this is all a matter of perspective and likely depends on who you’re talking to. Sometimes Real Estate agents will gauge the market on how busy THEY are, not how busy the market itself is. 

While our team of local real estate experts does rely heavily on their gut instincts, we’ll also be the first to tell you that "numbers don't lie”. Whether it's the number of new listings in our area, the average days on market, or any other metric, the numbers will tell you a story…. And important story! 

We’re firm believers in “The more information you have, the better decision you can make”.  

Today, we'll be giving you an October Ocean City, MD Real Estate Market Report! Let's dive right in!

October 2024 Ocean City, MD Market Report

Number of New Listings in Ocean City, MD by Month

The number of new listings in Ocean City, MD in October of 2024 was 165. Compared to the average homes listed in October of 2021-2023 (141.67), meaning the amount of homes that were put up for sale was 16.5% higher than the average of the 3 previous years.

What does this mean?

A quick interpretation of this chart tells us that new listings are temporarily outpacing new contracts, resulting in a slow and steady increase in inventory.   The real question we should be asking is “Is this a long-term trend, or a short-term opportunity?”   

Only time will tell, but I suspect that this is the result of a few relatively big monetary changes impacting property owners at the beach.   First, the condo buildings in Ocean City are well into the introductory phase of Maryland’s new Reserve Study requirement (from HB107).   The result for many of our local condo buildings has been an increase in condo fees, and even a special assessment (in some instances).    The other factor that could be contributing to the increase in new listings is likely the return-to-normalcy of the Short-Term-Rental market.   Gone are the days of free-covid-money, which drove vacation rental income to never before seen heights. As the rental market (and rental income) for properties in Ocean City returns to normal, those property owners that were depending on the covid-years type of rental income have turned to selling their condos after realizing their expectations were a little ‘unrealistic’. 

The next six months will likely tell us whether or not this change in inventory is here to stay, or a short-term opportunity for Buyers.       

Number of Pending Sales in Ocean City, MD by Month

Before we jump in and look at the numbers, we want to make sure you understand what pending sales means. The number of pending sales reflects how many properties went "under contract" that month. This essentially means a buyer and a seller agreed to the terms of a sale- but doesn't necessarily mean those terms have been met.

Compared to the average of the number of pending sales in October of 2021-2023 (82), the number of pending sales in October of 2024 was (57) which is a 30.5% decrease. While this may seem a bit alarming, October of 2021 was a bit of an outlier, as the Ocean City, MD real estate market was extremely "hot" after COVID-19.

Closed Sales in Ocean City, MD by Month

The number of closed sales in Ocean City, MD in October of 2024 was 84. Compared to the average of closed sales in October of 2021-2023, this is a 32.4% decrease. Once again, the outlier of October 2021 is going to cause this number to seem a bit scary.

The percent difference between October 2024 and October of 2022-2023 is 14.7%, which is still a decrease but is certainly less alarming. Overall, we are optimistic as the number of closed sales did increase from September.

Average Days On Market in Ocean City, MD by Month

Okay, before we give you the numbers, we know you saw that huge bar above October of 2023, and you're probably wondering "what in the world happened?" Luckily, we have an answer for you.

Interest rates in October of 2023 reached 7.79% which is the highest since 2000 per themortgagereports.com. So, when we give you the numbers, we'll take that out of the equation.

Compared to October of 2021-2022, the days on market increased 190.9%. If you're listing your home, this may be a bit concerning, but it's important to understand there are many factors that go into this.

For one, the figures for October of 2021 & 2022 are still low as the Ocean City market was still humming from its boom after COVID. Furthermore, Days On Market can be reflective of sellers wanting more than their home is worth.

Median Sales Price in Ocean City, MD by Month

So far, The average of the median sales price of a property in Ocean City, MD in 2024 is $425,940, which is a 1.6% increase from 2023. This is good news for property owners at the beach, as their property values have been rising!

Months Supply in Ocean City, MD by Month

Just in case you're not already familiar with this metric, months supply reflects how many months of inventory our market has. This is calculated by dividing the number of homes available in a given area at the end of the month by the number of properties sold in that area.

As you can see, the months supply has been climbing since the big "boom" we keep referring to right after COVID. The months supply of 5.8 is significantly higher than October of 2021-2023, but it has decreased substantially from September.

This is good news for buyers, particularly those "savvy" buyers we mentioned earlier that are going to be looking to buy at the beach during the winter months. More than likely, if you know what type of beach property you're looking for, you'll be able to find it!

What Impacts the Ocean City, MD Real Estate Market the Most?

The single biggest factor that affects the real estate market is the time of year.

Our beach town is hustling and bustling ALL summer long, but not quite as much during the off-season.   

Most local Realtors will tell you there’s a rather consistent ebb-and-flow to the local beach market.  No, it never turns off.   Yes, certain times of year are much busier (Spring for example, being the busiest).  With weather playing a big role as well.   As the shoulder-season and off-season take hold, our market is bound to be bustling on the first bright, sunny, warm day of Spring (whenever that happens).  

Summer itself is a mixed bag of opportunity.  Sure, it’s when the most people are here in town.   But often times they’re here on vacation, renting a property from a company like our friends at Central Reservations. While they may not be actively looking while they’re here over the summer, it may just create that desire to own, which may bring them back to look at condos for sale that Fall! 

No matter the reason for considering a beach-home purchase, the season greatly affects our market.  A great local Realtor is going to understand that, and they’re going to help you use that to your advantage.  

Another factor that can impact the Real Estate Market in Ocean City, MD is Interest Rates.

While this is generally consistent in real estate markets Nationwide, we still feel it is important to mention. Yes, there are significantly more cash buyers in Ocean City, MD as opposed to a primary home market, but interest rates still affect our beach town.

Furthermore, as we all know, being in an election year can have an impact on real estate markets across the country. In case you didn't already know (we're sure you do), 2024 is an election year!

"What does that mean for Ocean City?" You might be asking. Well, historically being in an election year typically means the months leading up to the election tend to slow down a bit, while the months after can create a busier-than-normal winter season at the beach.

What's Next for our market?

If you read all the way through our Ocean City Real Estate market report, you may be thinking "All of this is great... but what happens next?"

Well, as we mentioned before, one thing we do know is that historically our market does slow down a bit once the holiday season starts to roll around. Does that affect the listing price of homes in our beach town? Not necessarily. Does that mean there are less people who want to buy here? No. It just means there are less buyers in the market, and less homes going up for sale... for the time being.  

Once we get past the major Holidays the cycle starts over and our beach real estate market will start to warm up again... just like the weather. So, while we may be headed towards a little bit of a lull, rest assured there is light at the end of the tunnel. 

And if you want to be a savvy beach buyer, you’ll know the best time to be in the market, is when the competition is the lowest. You’ll start shopping for your new beach-home, right now!

Thanks for reading!

We hope you learned a thing or two while reading our October Ocean City, MD Real Estate market report!

If you're interested in learning more, or are thinking about buying or selling, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: 410-430-5880

Office: 410-524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: 410-935-3810

Office: 410-524-6400

See you at the beach soon!

The highly anticipated music festival, Oceans Calling has finally arrived! While we didn’t want to wish away our summer, we must say that we’ve been super excited for this event. Ocean City is absolutely buzzing with excitement. Beginning today, September 27^th at 12:00 noon, the doors to Oceans Calling will open and the music will begin! This year, Oceans Calling will feature some groovy bands such as O.A.R., 311, Cage The Elephant, The Dave Matthews Band, The Beach Boys and MUCH more. If you’re already at the beach or are arriving over the weekend, we hope you enjoy the festival!

Beyond the allure of the festival itself, one of the things we’re most excited about is that we can show our awesome beach town to so many people who have never been here before. Last year, Oceans Calling had a patron from all 50 states in the U.S. If this is your first time coming to OC, we’ll give you some tips on how to make the most out of your time while you’re here!

Tips for Enjoying Ocean City

Tip #1: Enjoy Local Eats

Not only will there be some awesome food & drinks provided at the festival, but many boardwalk businesses will also be open for Oceans Calling as well! Make sure you venture from the sand and take a break from dancing (just for a minute) to support some of OC’s local shops on the boardwalk! Click here to view a full list of boardwalk businesses within the festival grounds you can support. If you don’t have tickets for all 3 days of the festival, make sure you check out some other restaurants & bars in OC as well. If you’re looking for a restaurant to blow you away, check out this blog by our friends at Central Reservations. They’re the best vacation rental manager in town and have great taste.

Tip #2: Catch a Sunrise or Sunset

Since the music doesn’t start until about 12:30 each day of Oceans Calling, that means if you’re an early riser you’ll have plenty of time to catch a sunrise in the morning. The weather for Saturday is looking great so if you feel like getting an early start to your day, head down to the beach with a hoodie, blanket, and towel and watch the sunrise over the ocean! If you aren’t going to the festival for all 3 days and you’re staying in a bayside property in Ocean City, you can watch a sunset from your balcony one of the days you’re in town! If it’s a sunny or partly cloudy evening, the sunsets over the Assawoman bay are stunning.

Tip #3: Discover Ocean City

If this is your first time in Ocean City, or if you’re thinking about make sure you venture to some of the areas surrounding town. Once some of the festival traffic slows down, take a drive to the West Ocean City, or Rehoboth outlets to do some shopping! If you’ve been to OC before and have been thinking about purchasing in Ocean City, MD or the surrounding areas, this is a great time to take a drive and see what homes or condos for sale in Ocean City you may be interested in! We also encourage you to take a stroll down the rest of the boardwalk that isn’t inside of the festival grounds. The Ocean City, MD Boardwalk is nearly 3 miles long, making it a great way to enjoy Ocean city while also getting some exercise in to work off some of the great local food you’ve had! If you want a video tour of the boardwalk, our friends at Central Reservations made a YouTube video biking down the boards from top to bottom. Check it out!

Why is Ocean City a great place to live or have a second home?

One of the reasons we love Ocean City so much is the fact that it’s not only a summer destination. There are plenty of events (such as Oceans Calling) in the Fall, Spring, and tons of things to do in town during the summer months. While wintertime can get pretty quiet, it’s a good reset and refresher from the busy Summer months. There truly are so many different types of real estate you can own in Ocean City. From single family homes to condos and townhomes, and all different types of communities, there’s something for everyone.

Want to talk about buying at the beach?

If being in Ocean City for Oceans Calling 2024 has you thinking about buying at the beach, now is the perfect time to reach out and start putting the wheels into motion! We can help you find the perfect beach getaway, full time residence, investment property, or anything in between. Start your beach ownership journey today and give us a call! Thanks for reading!

See you at the beach soon!

Grant Fritschle

Cell: (410) 430-5880

Email: grant@grantf.com

Office: (410) 524-6400

Jon Barker

Cell: (410) 935-3810

Email: jon@markf.com

Office: (410) 524-6400

If you’ve been to Ocean City, MD before, you’re probably familiar with high-rise row. This is a stretch of high-rise condominium buildings in Ocean City form about 94^th Street to 120^th Street. Today, we’re going to walk you through our Top-5 favorite high-rise buildings in OC (in our opinion). 

Before we jump in, we want to mention that we are including buildings we know, are the most familiar with, and are comfortable helping our clients buy in while taking into account the new Maryland House Bill- HB107 which relates to a buildings reserve funds. If we didn’t include a building in this list, it’s not because it’s a bad building!

If you aren’t familiar with Maryland’s new 2023/2024 Condo Laws (also known as HB107), check out this YouTube video that covers everything you’ll need to know.

Golden Sands

This building is Grant’s personal favorite as his father, Mark Fritschle, was the original sales manager when it was built in 1977. The Golden Sands has a blend of 360 units, on-site property management, and on-site security. It’s also absolutely loaded with amenities that include one of Ocean City’s only rooftop indoors pools, a billiards room, banquet room, an outdoor pool, the HUGE sundeck, an ice cream shop, tiki-bar, minute market, private beaches, and more.

You name it, the Golden Sands probably has it. The Golden Sands has a unit for everyone, ranging from Efficiency style units (which are essentially studio apartments) to luxurious 3-bedroom end-units. Last, but certainly not least, this building has exceptional financial stability. They are always planning ahead and accounting for expected maintenance costs. If you’re a buyer, this is great to see because it means you most likely won’t be surprised with a special assessment anytime soon.

To view units for sale in the Golden Sands, click here!

Sea Watch

The Sea Watch condominium in Ocean City is one of the largest in Ocean City with 408 units. The design of the building is rather unique, as it is a V shape meaning every unit has an Oceanfront view. Sea Watch has both 2-bedroom units with a den and spacious 3-bedroom units. Similar to the Golden Sands, this building is also loaded with amenities that include an Indoor & Outdoor Pool, a Kiddie Pool, a Game Room, a Pizza & Ice cream shop, a Movie Theater, Basketball Courts, and a Fitness Room. The Sea Watch also has on-site management & security, along with a large parking garage which means you’ll never have to worry about finding a place to park when you’re at your beach condo. Once again, this buildings financial health is exceptional, and the association has clearly taken plenty of steps to plan for the future, so their owners aren’t blindsided by unexpected costs.

To view units for sale in the Sea Watch, click here!

English Towers

Next on our list is the English Towers on 100^th Street in Ocean City, MD. The English Towers has 120 units that have either 2 or 3 bedrooms. While English Towers might not get as much love as some of the larger buildings like Sea Watch or Golden Sands, this building is known for its amazing management and financial health. This building also has a full list of amenities that range from their Fitness Center, Game Room, Indoor Pool, On-Site Management, and 24-hour Security. English Towers has some hidden gem condos in their 3-bedroom floor plans that are on the west side of the building. These condos get an amazing bay-view that is often overlooked. Additionally, some of their non oceanfront units have great value. You are still in an oceanfront building and are steps from the beach, but you aren’t paying a premium for an ocean view.

To view units for sale in the English Towers, click here!

Flying Cloud

The Flying Cloud is one of the smaller high-rises in Ocean City, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. This building has 2-bedroom oceanfront floor plans as well as 3-bedroom floor plans that have an awesome view of both the ocean and bay! While it may not have all of the amenities that some of the other high-rises in OCMD have, you can truly get some great value because of this. It’s 95^th Street location means you are close by to some of our favorite places in OC like Liquid Assets, Lombardi’s, and Kirby’s Pub. You also have ACME right across the street so if you forget some groceries, it’s no big deal! The Flying Cloud rarely has units for sale, so it is often overlooked, but if you see a unit go up for sale it’s definitely worth checking out.

The Plaza

Last, but not least, on this list of our favorite oceanfront buildings in high-rise row is The Plaza. This building was built in 1985 which believe it or not makes it one of the ‘newer’ high-rises in Ocean City, MD. The Plaza has 220 units that range between 2 and three bedrooms. The Plaza has some great amenities that include an indoor pool, an outdoor pool with a sun deck and an awesome tiki bar, a sauna, a hot tub, and covered parking. The Plaza also has 24-hour security, and an awesome association and healthy reserve funds that have kept the building spotless for years.

To view units for sale in The Plaza, click here!

Why choose a local Realtor when searching for a condo in high-rise row?

If you’re condo shopping in Ocean City’s high-rise row, make sure you’re working with an agent who is knowledgeable about the local real estate market. Making sure you understand the financial situation of the building you’re buying in is absolutely crucial, especially when you’re making a six-figure decision. Make sure you’re working with an agent who is local and understands which buildings are ‘safe’ to buy in. If you’re interested in reading more about why working with a local Realtor is so important, check out this blog.

If one of these condo buildings peaked your interest or you see some condos for sale in Ocean City, MD that you may be interested in, give us a call! We’d love to help you purchase a beach condo that you & your family will love! Thanks for reading!

See you at the beach soon!

Grant Fritschle

Cell: (410) 430-5880

Email: grant@grantf.com

Office: (410) 524-6400

Jon Barker

Cell: (410) 935-3810

Email: jon@markf.com

Office: (410) 524-6400

If you’re considering purchasing real estate in Ocean City, MD or the surrounding beach areas, understanding the local real estate market and its unique nuances is VERY important. If you’re getting ready to spend hundreds of thousand of dollars (or more), you want to make sure you’re making an informed decision. One of the most important things to consider when purchasing that stunning waterfront condo at the beach is understanding what the HOA’s rules and regulations are. Remember, if it’s in a condo building it’s part of an HOA. Before you purchase your beach place make sure you have the best real estate agent in Ocean City working for you! The one agent that can help guide you through purchasing real estate that is governed by an HOA. In this blog, we’ll help you understand as much about HOA’s as we can so that you can make an informed decision when purchasing your new beach-home; whether that’s in Ocean City, Fenwick Island, or the surrounding resort areas.

What is a “Condo” Association (HOA)?

A Homeowners Association, commonly known as an HOA, is an organization or governing body that manages a residential community/building. If you happen to purchase a home in an HOA community or building, when you sign the documents to purchase this home, condo, or townhome, you agree to abide by the HOA’s rules and regulations. This isn’t a choice, or an option. If the property you’re buying is part of an HOA, you will be part of that same HOA if/when you go to settlement. The primary goal of the HOA is to protect & enhance property values, take care of common areas, and ensure the property or community is able to be enjoyed by all owners and guests.

Benefits of Owning In a Community With an HOA

1.    Community Maintenance: HOA’s often complete maintenance on common areas. These common areas often include community landscaping, pools, for single family neighborhoods, elevators, balconies, fitness rooms, pools, insurance, and so on and so forth.

2.    Amenities: Many communities or buildings in Ocean City, MD with HOA’s often have fitness rooms, pools, and community events with neighbors. All of these things enhance your quality of life, as well as your properties value!

3.    Community Oversight: HOA’s often oversee and enforce regulations on things like lawn care, exterior features of you & your neighbors OCMD home or condo, and noise levels.

Common HOA Rules in Ocean City, MD

If you’re considering purchasing beach property in Ocean City, MD or the surrounding areas, there are a few common HOA rules you should expect to see if purchasing in a community with an HOA. While the rules may vary from community to community, here are some typical guidelines you may encounter:

1.    Architectural Guidelines: HOA’s commonly have specific regulations about modifications or improvements made to the exterior of the home. Before you buy, make sure you know these regulations if you have a unique modification in mind.

2.    Landscaping Guidelines: HOA’s also commonly have rules about yard maintenance and what types of plants can be in the yard. While this may seem silly, it makes sense. When you’re going to sell your house, you don’t want your neighbor to have 3 50-foot oak trees and an overgrown lawn. This keeps the neighborhood uniform and aesthetically pleasing.

3.    Parking Regulations: Many HOA’s have rules about where you can park your car, but it is more applicable for HOA’s in OCMD to have rules about where you can park your boat, trailer, jet ski’s etc. If you’re planning on parking your boat in your driveway, before you buy make sure you know the rules around parking!

4.    Pet Policies: If you’re planning on having a fury one around, particularly in your Ocean City, MD condo that you’re thinking of buying, make sure your building allows pets.

5.    Rental Restrictions: If you’re thinking of renting out your new OCMD condo or single family home close to the beach, make sure you’re aware of any rental restrictions. Some buildings have restrictions that say you can only rent from Saturday to Saturday, or that you can only rent for terms longer than 6 months. Before you buy, make sure you’re aware so you’re not surprised later!

P.S. Contact our friends at Central Reservations if you’re interested in enrolling your beach home in a vacation rental program!

Do Your Research!

To make sure that you fully understand all of your new HOA’s rules, make sure you and your real estate agent in Ocean City, MD are doing some homework. You’ll want to make sure that you review the Covenants, Conditions, and restrictions, understand all of your fees, and if there are any special assessments in the future, and speak with a board member of the HOA or your realtor if you have any questions. While the homework might seem tedious, believe us, it will be worth it in the end. It’s better to take the time now than be surprised when you can’t park your boat in the driveway or do your dream renovation after you’ve already purchased the home!

Make an Informed Decision

Understanding the rules and regulations set forth in the HOA community or condominium you are considering buying in is vital for all buyers. By ensuring you do in fact understand all of the rules, you can be confident that you’re making an informed decision that fits your lifestyle and/or investment goals. Make sure you have one of the best realtors in Ocean City, MD helping you through this process. Having someone bye your side who understands HOA’s at the beach is imperative. If you have any questions or are ready to start searching for your dream beach property, feel free to reach out! Thanks for reading!

P.S. If you have any questions about condo (HOA) fees in Ocean City, MD, make sure you watch this video!

See you at the beach soon!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: (410) 430-5880

Office: (410) 524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: (410) 935-3810

Office: (410) 524-6400

Whether you’re an experienced Real Estate afficionado, or you’re working towards your first Real Estate transaction, buying or selling a home can seem intimidating. This is especially true right now. That’s where we step in! Our goal is to provide real, relevant, timely information to our clients. Information that helps make them feel comfortable and confident in their decisions. Empowering our buyers and sellers to make the best decisions possible. 

That’s why today, we’re going to debunk a few of the most common Buyer misconceptions in the industry.

Myth #1: You Need A 20 % Down Payment to Buy a Beach-Home

We’re starting with this myth today because it is probably one of the most common misconceptions we hear from our clients. We’re not sure where this myth came from. While it is true lenders typically want you to put 20% to lower their risk, there are plenty of loan options available that require significantly less money up front.

So, here’s our first tip:   Ask your local Realtor for the names of the three best lenders in the area. Call those lenders, and see who gives you the best options, the best rates, and offers you the most comfort. Now when you find that perfect beach home, you’re in a position of power. You’re pre-approved, you have a loan plan you like, and you’re working with a local lender (which reflects well with the Seller). 

Myth #2: You Don’t Need a Realtor to help you buy your beach-home. 

This is a myth we have been hearing more and more, especially after the recent NAR Settlement, which we will without a doubt write a blog about in the future once we know exactly how it has impacted our industry. While this myth isn’t ‘technically’ a myth (by law you don’t need a Buyers-Agent to buy a home), we think it is certainly pointing homebuyers in the wrong direction. Let’s say, for example, you hire the best realtor in Ocean City, MD. That agent is going to have SO MUCH knowledge about the local real estate market, a long list of connections with local service providers and other real estate agents, and a slew of other contacts they can utilize to help you find the best home…. And, they’ll be savvy enough to help negotiate the best price FOR YOU.

Even more importantly, they’ll know where you SHOULDN’T buy, and they’ll make sure you know everything before you make a decision. Buying a home in Ocean City, MD or the surrounding beach areas can be a stressful process, let a top real estate agent in OCMD help guide you throughout the whole process and save yourself the stress!

Myth #3: Pulling Your Credit Score to Apply for a Mortgage Hurts Your Credit Score

FALSE:  When new home buyers are beginning their search, they are often times nervous about applying for a loan, or getting pre-qualified for one because they don’t want their credit score pulled. That’s because someone (incorrectly) told them it would hurt their credit. While this may be true if you pull your credit score over and over again for different reasons, usually multiple pulls on your credit score within a short period of time for a mortgage are only treated as one. This means you can shop for rates and loans without significantly harming your credit score! So, don’t shy away from shopping rates… you want to get the best deal you can on your new mortgage!

Myth #4: Listing Your Home at The Highest Possible Price Will Get You the Most Money

FALSE: While this myth may have been true in real-estate markets of the past… We’re no longer living in the past!

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. In today’s real estate market, the savvy Realtors and smart Sellers are doing the exact opposite. If they think their OCMD condo is worth $500,000, they’re listing it for $485,000 and letting the property get bid-up. They’re allowing the market to create the urgency as a result of the perceived ‘value’ of the list price. Often times selling for (or over) that $500,000 benchmark.

However, if that same seller had listed it at $525,000, that property would likely sit on the market and/or receive lower offers. Ultimately, the sellers would likely end up reducing their price, losing any momentum from the market, and eventually selling for less than $500,000.   

Needless to say, we run into this issue a lot when helping our clients list their Ocean City, MD homes. Our best advice…. Be smarter than the market. Work smart, not hard, and let the market do the work. That starts by partnering with a local Realtor EXPERT. Not just any Agent, but an Agent that KNOWS the market, and KNOWS how to navigate the current market conditions. 

Remember this:  The highest list price DOES NOT always mean the highest SALES price.

Myth #5: All Real Estate Markets Are the Same

FALSE:  Once again, this isn’t as common of a myth as the others we’ve mentioned, but we feel it is important to touch on. Our real-estate market is different every year! Sometimes changing within the same month. We often see ‘non-local’ real estate agents helping clients buy or sell their beach-homes, and we stand back and scratch our heads. While we’re sure that those agent’s are absolute rockstars in their hometown, they’re not up-to-date on the pulse of our beach market, and they tend to miss the mark with their recommendations to their clients (aka… it costs them money). 

Tip:  You want to make sure you work with a local beach-Realtor, and you want to make sure they’re a Rockstar. Think about this question…. When’s the last time you heard of a beach-agent selling homes in Baltimore or DC? You probably haven’t, and that’s because they typically don’t! They know the beach market, and they’re EXPERTS in the beach market. So, do yourself a favor and hire a true expert! 

Taking the Next Step

Now that we’ve helped clarify some of the most common misconceptions we see about real estate when we are assisting our clients at the beach, we think you’re ready to take the next step! Whether you’re looking to buy your first OCMD beach condo, sell your single-family home in Ocean Pines, expand your Ocean City, MD real estate portfolio, or anywhere in between, we’re here to help! Don’t let these misconceptions hold you back, contact a great local realtor in OCMD and take the next steps in your real estate journey!

See You at the Beach Soon!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: (410) 430-5880

Office: (410) 524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: (410) 935-3810

Office: (410) 524-6400

As we all know well, Ocean City, MD has an extremely competitive real estate market that is still strong, offering plenty of opportunity for Sellers.   Meaning, if you’re a property owner who has started to consider life “after the beach”, and you’re looking to sell, we should talk about the value of staging your home.   Whether that property is a simple efficiency studio style beach condo, a large-luxury penthouse, or a single-family home in West Ocean City or Ocean Pines, staging your property effectively is one of the most important factors to selling quickly… and of course, at a good price. Today, we’ll give you some tips and tricks for staging your Ocean City, MD beach home properly with the goal of helping you attract more buyers to your home.

Why Staging at the Beach Is Different?
Staging a beach home in a second home real estate market, such as Ocean City, MD, generally has a bit of a different approach than staging a home in a primary home market. In a primary home market, we often of hear agents advising their clients to remove any “personal” décor their home has. Next, they’ll replace all this décor with standard (and often bland) pictures, artwork, etc. While this approach will still create more appeal for buyers at the beach, we advise our clients to NOT depersonalize their home when staging.

Potential buyers want to feel an attachment to the property.  They want to know another family has used it, looked after it, and created memories there. If you’re selling, your job is to make your home appealing to as many new buyers as possible.  Our job is to ensure that we put the finishing touches on staging that will make your home appeal to the largest demographic possible. One common mistake seller’s make is to become emotionally attached to the way their home currently looks and assume this is what buyers will like as well. This is not always the case! What looks great to you may not look good to others, so let’s make sure you have your own personal touches that make your home feel like home for potential buyers, while also ensuring you are appealing to the most amount of potential buyers as possible.

Show Buyers the Beach Lifestyle

When you are selling your OCMD beach condo you need to make sure you are not only marketing the beauty of your home, but also the lifestyle it provides. When potential buyers view your listing, they should be able to answer one simple question…What’s nearby? Are there any cool restaurants, mini golf courses, or other activities within walking distance? How close are you to the beach? How close are you to other attractions like golf courses, amusement parks, etc.?  Answering all of these questions in a simple way so that buyers can easily visualize what life will be like when they are at the beach will without a doubt help your listing move quickly.

Less is More

When staging your stunning Oceanfront Condo, or any other type of beach property in Ocean City, MD you always have to keep in mind that LESS IS MORE. Make sure that your beach-home doesn’t feel too cluttered with extra seating, tables, and tabletop décor. A simple plant or two on top of the kitchen table will do.

Have A Theme

This tip is SUPER IMPORTANT. We often see beach condos that have a lot of stunning individual pieces.   But combined with everything else in the property, it’s a ‘hodge-podge’.  For example, if you’re staging a luxury oceanfront condo, make sure the décor in your condo feels as if it was carefully handpicked to give a luxurious and exclusive feel.  Understand what type of condo you own and decorate it accordingly. It doesn’t make sense to put a custom one-of-a-kind painting by the finest artist in the world in your studio apartment style beach condo!! Make sure all of your décor and furniture are cohesive. The colors should complement each other, the paintings or artwork on the wall should catch the eye and be centered on the wall, so on and so forth. Take a step back, remove any emotional attachments you might have and ask yourself if your beach properties décor makes sense and adds visual appeal. Do this, and you’re already ahead of most sellers in Ocean City, MD!

Show Off Your Views & Location

If you’re lucky enough to own an Ocean City, MD condo, townhome, or single-family home with a grand ocean, or bayfront view, the number one thing you want to highlight to all prospective buyers is just that… the view! A great view is one of the most sought-after features of a beach property for prospective buyers. After all, who doesn’t want to wake up and enjoy a coffee watching the sunrise over the horizon of the ocean?? Furthermore, who doesn’t want to relax with a glass of wine watching the sunset over the Assawoman bay?? The view that your OCMD condo has is adding significant value to your property. So, make 100% sure that your listing agent is highlighting that view in the photos and that you have sufficient balcony seating! No heavy curtains and valances people!   Open it up! Last, but certainly not least, make sure some of your artwork & décor tells everyone that this is a BEACH getaway. Having some artwork by local artists with pictures of Ocean City, MD can make your beach condo feel just a little bit more like a beach retreat buyers will soon be able to enjoy with their families.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Condos at the beach can sometimes take a little bit of a beating with sand and the humid salty air. Prior to listing your Ocean City, MD home for sale, one of the first things you should do is conduct an inspection and fix anything that may need repairs! Replace any burnt out lightbulbs, broken toilets, or anything else that doesn’t work exactly as it should. This will show potential buyers that this condo has been taken good care of over the years. Additionally, it can reduce any negotiating power buyers may have. If everything is in pristine working order, your home passes inspection… it makes it difficult for buyers to ask for a credit for repairs because, well, there aren’t any repairs to be made! After you’ve made all of the necessary repairs to your OCMD condo, townhome, or single-family residence, schedule a professional deep cleaning. As you might imagine, having a bright & clean property that smells great upon arrival is SUPER important when buyers begin to schedule showings with their Ocean City, MD Realtor. Once again, this gives the feeling that the property has been taken care of making buyers feel safe and secure with their purchase.

How does all of this make a difference?

As we mentioned, following all of these steps when staging your home in Ocean City, MD or the surrounding beach areas will without a doubt help you sell more quickly, and for a better price. Of course, there are a lot of other factors that go into a successful sale, but having GREAT staging of your beach home is super important when selling! If you’re thinking about selling your OCMD property, give us a call or send us an email! As some of the best realtors in Ocean City, MD, we’ll make sure the sale of your beloved beach house goes smoothly.

See you at the beach soon!

Grant Fritschle

Email: grant@grantf.com

Cell: (410) 430-5880

Office: (410) 524-6400

Jon Barker

Email: jon@markf.com

Cell: (410) 935-3810

Office: (410) 524-6400