Real Estate Investing in Frederica, Delaware (19946)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Kent County • Population: 5,508 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 19946 (Frederica, DE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (58/100)

Mixed — home prices are stretched relative to local incomes. Run the math on your specific situation.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • Elevated vacancy: 9.8% vacancy may signal weakening demand.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Frederica, DE (19946)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $374,455
Avg Monthly Rent $1,251
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $67,022
% Renters 18.4%

Market Analysis: 19946 Frederica

ZIP 19946 in Frederica, DE carries a durable set of headwinds. Home values near $374K and rents of $1,251/mo sit inside a market where underwriting has to be tight.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 19946 sits at the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

In the broader DE picture, 19946 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Who lives in 19946 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Experienced landlords with local relationships tend to find 19946 workable. Turnkey investors from out of state usually find the numbers do not hold up in practice.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Frederica:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 66/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,251/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Dover, DE Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
40 days
Average time to sell
Average
13.0%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Dover, DE metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 19946

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$107,725/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $228,248 $1,390 4.4% +9.3% $114,124
3BR $344,603 $1,930 4.0% +8.6% $114,868
4BR $430,901 $2,160 3.6% +7.3% $107,725

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$392K$343K$295K$247K$199K$150KNov 2009Mar 2018Jul 2026

📊 How Does 19946 Compare?

Metric 19946 Frederica Dover, DE Delaware
Home Value $374,455 $374,455 N/A $397,840
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.8% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,251 $1,251 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 19946? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 19946 (Frederica, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Dover, DE metro

0/10
Low Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
0/3
38%
Days Pending
0/2
40 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $374,455
Monthly Rent $1,251
Price-to-Rent 24.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.0%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 8.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.6%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.6%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
9.8%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19946

Population: 5,508

💰 Median Household Income
$67,022
This area
$67,022
State
$82,016
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
18.4%
This area
18.4%
State
21.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.1%
This area
3.1%
State
-26.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.2%
This area
16.2%
State
2.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
48.7 years
This area
48.7 years
State
-1.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
9.8%
This area
9.8%
State
13.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 69.1%
Black/African American 20.4%
Other/Mixed 9.8%
Hispanic/Latino 2.8%
Asian 0.7%
👶 Under 18
22.4%
This area
22.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.2%
This area
18.2%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.3%
This area
7.3%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 19946

A Avg School Grade
1 Schools
13.1:1 Avg Class Size
$16,957 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Lake Forest East Elementary School

📚 K – 03 Elementary
👥
340 Students
👨‍🏫
13.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,957 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

4 Nearby 4,203 Off-Campus Students
B
Polytech Adult Education
631 students · 5.7 mi
C+
Delaware State University
5,828 students · 11.7 mi
C+
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
13,231 students · 12.8 mi
D
Delaware Technical Community College-Central Office
0 students · 13.0 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,203 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eviction rules reasonable in Frederica, DE?

DE law balanced for landlords, and Frederica inherits those rules. Investors should still review local ordinances for rental licensing.

How deep is the rental pool in Frederica, DE?

The renter base in Frederica, DE is reasonable for the $1,251/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields steady tenants.

What price range are homes in Frederica, DE?

Frederica, DE median home values land near $374K. That is reasonable territory for investors looking at $1,251/mo-per-month rentals.

Is house hacking profitable in Frederica, DE?

Frederica, DE offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,251/mo rent level.

Is Frederica, DE a good market for buy-and-hold investors?

Yes - Frederica, DE a 3.0/5 investability score. With $374K home prices against $1,251/mo monthly rent, the market delivers a reasonable entry point for new investors.

You know 19946 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 19946 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 19946 ranks in Dover, DE

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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