You and your family or friend group plan to rent a beach house for a week or two this summer. You live in the DC Metro area, or New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Connecticut, or at some point in the mid-Atlantic. And you’ve settled on the Delaware beaches — great choice!
Before buying my dream vacation home — the Fenwick Island Oceanfront Rental — I spent much of my childhood and adult life vacationing at the Delaware beaches and beyond with my family and friends. Here’s my take on why you should select Fenwick Island for your next vacation rental and how to start.
Why choose Fenwick Island?
Fenwick Island is the Delaware beaches’ hidden gem, a narrow strip of land that sits between the ocean and bay between Bethany Beach, DE, and Ocean City, MD. Traveling north on Coastal Highway (Rt. 1) from Fenwick Island past Bethany Beach, the towns of Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach are not far and unique in their ways.
These are great towns with beautiful beaches. I love them — in the off-season. But, the summer congestion! Once you’ve circled endlessly around town hunting for parking, dragged your gear on a crowded beach looking for an empty spot to plant your umbrella, then returned to your ticketed car — Fenwick Island’s charms become apparent. Fenwick Island’s guarded beaches never get packed like those of Bethany and Rehoboth (not to mention Ocean City). Fenwick Island has a total area of less than half a mile. The beach is a short walk from any part of the town of Fenwick, even from the beautiful bayside. And you can leave your car parked at your house and walk to any independently owned restaurants, shops, and charming little low-key bars. The Town of Fenwick Island has worked hard to maintain a quiet coastal town atmosphere — but the honky tonk of Ocean City and the busy family fun of Bethany and Rehoboth are a few minutes away by car.
Start planning early
The Delaware beaches — particularly the “Quiet Resorts” of Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island — are very popular. And due to its small size, Fenwick Island has a limited supply of rental homes. You will need to plan your summer vacation rental early. For example, the prime summer weeks of July and August at my house are fully booked by mid-November.
If you are your family’s designated beach vacation planner, get everyone committed to a specific week no later than September of the preceding year. And to be safe, get everyone to agree on a second choice week. Figure out how many bedrooms or bathrooms you need for your group to be comfortable. Rank your preferences: Proximity to the beach? Bayside or oceanside? Water views? And agree on your price range.
Vrbo? Airbnb? Real estate agent? Some surprising facts
Rental websites like Vrbo and Airbnb are great places to get an idea of what homes are available at various price ranges. And the best listings have lots of photos and reviews from previous renters. (Here is our listing on Vrbo).
But this is something you may not know: Many homes available for rent in Fenwick Island are not listed on Vrbo or Airbnb. Or if they are, you will pay a premium of up to $500 to book. Sometimes, the best way to secure your rental is to book directly with the owner or a local real estate agent.
I rent my house through Fenwick Island-based Kleinstuber and Associates. Every November, they take bookings for my home for the following summer. Any spots that are left at the end of November, I make available on Vrbo as well.
A distinct advantage of working with a local real estate company is that “personal touch” — in our case, the Kleinstubers can check you in, give you your key, and be available should any needs arise during your stay. If you want to rent a house in Fenwick Island the following year, they will give you a leg up. If you want to book my place, call Kleinstubers at (302) 539-4081 and ask for the “Ryan Oceanfront Rental.” Another reputable local real estate agency handling rentals in the area is Wilgus Associates.
My guests will get a good experience whether they book my house through Vrbo or the Kleinstubers — but booking direct is an option that will save money and may give you access to a variety of listings you won’t see on a vacation rental site.
Consider the off-season
In Fenwick Island, the “high season” is July and August, when most kids are out of school. But if your kids are younger, you’re an empty nester, or you don’t have children, consider the shoulder seasons of May, June, September, and October in Fenwick Island. Many think that is the best time to be at the beach. The weather is gorgeous, shops and restaurants are open, the beaches are quiet, the traffic is calm, and the rents are lower. Many rental property owners who book only by the week during the high season will allow you to rent for as little as three or four days. The chillier winter months “hit different” when you have an ocean view and a cozy fireplace. The off and shoulder seasons are a great time to try out Fenwick Island if it’s new to you or take a WFH mini break.
Do you have any other tips for renting a house in Fenwick Island? Or reasons why you choose Fenwick Island as your summer vacation destination? Please email me.
Comments