Real Estate Investing in Hartly, Delaware (19953)

Kent County • Population: 4,614 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 19953 (Hartly, DE)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (59/100)

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
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 25.4 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Hartly, DE (19953)?

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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 $373,437
Avg Monthly Rent $1,224
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $69,327
% Renters 21.3%

Market Analysis: 19953 Hartly

ZIP 19953 inside Kent County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $373K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

The investment case in 19953 is solid only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $373K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Within DE, ZIP 19953 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Kent County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and substantial enough to shape underwriting.

Employment concentration in 19953 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

Strategically, 19953 can be a high-return sleeve of a diversified portfolio — but it should not be the whole portfolio, and it should not be someone's first deal.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

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

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 62/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 5.4× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.1%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,224/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Dover, DE Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
38 days
Average time to sell
Average
11.0%
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 June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Dover, DE metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 19953

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
3BR
3.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+8.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$114,134/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $276,303 $1,360 3.5% +8.1% $138,151
3BR $347,700 $1,890 3.9% +8.1% $115,900
4BR $456,537 $2,110 3.3% +8.3% $114,134

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$391K$340K$289K$238K$187K$136KSep 2009Jan 2018May 2026

📊 How Does 19953 Compare?

Metric 19953 Hartly Dover, DE Delaware
Home Value $373,437 $373,437 N/A $397,840
5-Year CAGR 6.3% 6.3% N/A 6.7%
Avg Rent $1,224 $1,224 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.6% 2.6% - -
💡 Why Invest in 19953? 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 19953 (Hartly, DE). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.6%
Low
5yr Growth
+6.3%
Strong

📉 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
41%
Days Pending
0/2
38 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $373,437
Monthly Rent $1,224
Price-to-Rent 25.4:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.9%
Cap Rate 2.6%
5-Year IRR 8.8%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.0% ▲
5-Year CAGR +6.3% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.8% ▲

🏠 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: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) 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
6.6%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+6.3%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 19953

Population: 4,614

💰 Median Household Income
$69,327
This area
$69,327
State
$82,016
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
21.3%
This area
21.3%
State
21.8%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.4%
This area
4.4%
State
-26.3%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
9.5%
This area
9.5%
State
2.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
40.1 years
This area
40.1 years
State
-1.1 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.6%
This area
6.6%
State
13.2%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 75.9%
Other/Mixed 15.0%
Hispanic/Latino 10.5%
Black/African American 8.8%
Asian 0.2%
👶 Under 18
23.3%
This area
23.3%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
14.5%
This area
14.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
10.4%
This area
10.4%
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 19953

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
11.8:1 Avg Class Size
$26,800 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Hartly Elementary School

📚 K – 04 Elementary
👥
257 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$26,800 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

5 Nearby 4,203 Off-Campus Students
C+
Delaware Technical Community College-Terry
13,231 students · 8.0 mi
D
Delaware Technical Community College-Central Office
0 students · 8.2 mi
C+
Delaware State University
5,828 students · 8.7 mi
B
Polytech Adult Education
631 students · 9.8 mi
D
All In The Wrist Barber Academy
17 students · 11.7 mi

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do home prices stand in Hartly, DE?

The median home value in Hartly, DE is roughly $373K. That puts it reasonable relative to the DE statewide average.

Is Hartly, DE a friendly market for rental owners?

DE ranks as a balanced state for landlord-tenant law. Hartly generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

Can owner-occupants cash flow in Hartly, DE?

House hacking works a challenging in Hartly, DE. Rents of $1,224/mo against $373K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

What do rentals go for in Hartly, DE?

The typical rental in Hartly, DE commands about $1,224/mo monthly. That rent profile predictable cash flow against the $373K purchase basis.

What is the tenant pool like in Hartly, DE?

The renter base in Hartly, DE is reasonable for the $1,224/mo price point. Screening well and pricing to market typically yields predictable tenants.

See what 19953 really looks like for investors

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