How much house can I afford in Delaware?

All-in cost first, always. Estimate only — not a loan quote or pre-approval.

Not your state? Find your calculator here.

Delaware at a glance

Median home price
$398,585
Typical closing costs
2%–4% of price
Transfer tax
4% of sale price, customarily paid by split between buyer and seller
Closing custom
attorney
Homestead exemption
Delaware has no broad statewide ad-valorem homestead exemption for all owner-occupants (unlike FL or TX). Instead it offers two narrower, county-administered credits against SCHOOL property tax only: the Senior School Property Tax Credit (homeowner 65+, Delaware domicile established by set dates — 10 years' residency if domiciled after Jan 1, 2018, or 3 years if domiciled Jan 1, 2013-Dec 31, 2017) and the 100% Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit (service-connected total disability rating from the VA, 3 years' Delaware domicile, credit equals 100% of the school-tax portion). The two credits cannot be claimed simultaneously, and both require an application to the county (New Castle, Kent, or Sussex) by an April 30 deadline — not automatic.

First-time buyer / down payment assistance programs

  • DSHA Welcome Home (Delaware Mortgage Program)

    Delaware State Housing Authority's primary 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage for first-time homebuyers, offered at a below-market interest rate through DSHA-approved lenders; can be paired with one of several 0%-interest down payment assistance second mortgages (Smart Start, First State Home Loan, Keys4You, Take5). Subject to county-based income and purchase-price limits.

  • DSHA First State Home Loan (Down Payment Assistance)

    0%-interest, deferred-payment second mortgage equal to 3% of the first mortgage loan amount, used toward down payment and/or closing costs; no monthly payments required until the home is refinanced, sold, or otherwise transferred. Must be paired with a DSHA Welcome Home or Home Again first mortgage.

  • Delaware First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit (Realty Transfer Tax Reduction)

    Reduces the realty transfer tax rate paid by a qualifying first-time homebuyer by 0.5 percentage points (typically from 1.25% to 0.75% of the buyer's customary half-share), capped at $2,000 in savings and applied only to the first $400,000 of the property's value. Administered by the Delaware Division of Revenue, not a mortgage product.