Delaware Valley Real Estate - OnPoint with Letitia Stevenson

Delaware Property Transfer Tax Exemption - (Kent and Sussex Counties)

ATTENTION: Delaware First Time Home Buyers

Many Delaware municipalities and counties have enacted the 1½ percent tax, so generally the Delaware property transfer tax is a total of 3% (1½ percent to the State and 1½ percent to the county or municipality). This amount is split between the buyer and seller of real estate, unless the parties agree otherwise.

The State offers NO Property Transfer Tax Exemption; however, if you are a first time home buyer (FTHB) - have never previously owned property anywhere, you may qualify for an exemption of .75% of Kent or Sussex County transfer fee and recording fee for the deed and mortgage, which normally is 1.5% of the purchase price.

"First-time home buyer" means a natural person who, individually or as a co-tenant, has at no time held any interest in residential real estate, wherever located and which has been occupied as their principal residence, and who intends to occupy the property being conveyed as his or her principal residence within 90 days following recordation.

Additional Information:

City of Dover

• Transfer Tax
• First Time Home Owner Tax Incentive Brochure
• First Time Home Owner Form
• Realty Transfer Tax Ordinance

Kent County

• Kent County Recorder of Deeds
• Deeds Office: 302.744.2314; Assessments Office: 302.744.2401

Sussex County

• Sussex County Recorder Deeds
• Recorder of Deeds: 302.855.7785

Additional Resources:

• 2010 Fiscal Notebook Web Page (DE Finance Dept )
• Title 30, Delaware Code, Chapter 54

Information in this post is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal, tax or other professional assistance.

If you have any real estate questions, please contact me. Whether buying, selling, or just curious to learn more, I'm here to assist you.  Please contact me with your questions. I look forward to hearing from you.