Reasons to Invest in Delaware County, PA Real Estate
- Delaware County (Delco) offers an affordable entry point to a booming market, with median home values lower than the national average but showing significant price appreciation and sales volume growth.
- The area boasts a strong foundation for tenant demand due to its central location, excellent transportation (SEPTA access to Philly), diverse career opportunities with major employers, and a top-tier public and private school system.
- High median household income ($88,576) coupled with a relatively lower cost of living makes Delco an attractive and sustainable location for both residents and investors, signaling strong rental potential.
As property investors and managers, we’re always looking for the next big location to invest in. Getting into a property market just before it starts to boom is the best way to make those astronomical returns that all property investors dream of. Today, we look at one location with such promise: Delaware County, Pennsylvania (Delco).
Have you considered Delco as a possible location for your next big real estate buy? This county in the Philadelphia metropolitan area may just be everything you're looking for. Why should you be looking in the direction of this quiet corner of America?
The real estate market in Delco is part of the larger Pennsylvania property market, which has recently been seeing upward surges in both population and home ownership numbers. While this is happening, median home values and list prices in the area remain lower than the national average.
But there are reasons to believe that this trend will soon change; property prices in Delaware County won't stay affordable forever. Not as long as there are diverse attractions that make the area a great place to retire, work, and raise a family. That’s why a lot of people are migrating to this area.
Ready to capitalize on the next real estate hotspot? Explore Investment Opportunities in Delco with Premier Property Management & Realty LLC.
Why Invest in Delaware County, PA?
Delco offers a great mix of relaxation and activity that makes it the ideal location for different types of people. From great schools to outdoor attractions and diverse communities, this county has something for retirees, families with small children, and young adults looking for a fun place to live and work.
Here is a detailed look at all the things that make Delco so attractive:
A Central Location
With a population of over 576,000, Delaware County is a critical part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area. It sits just 22 miles southwest of Philadelphia, with parts of the county just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of downtown Philly.
Across the Delaware River lies Camden, New Jersey, making Delco one of the most central locations in the region. Delaware County perfectly combines the quiet of a small town with the fun and activity of a major city like Philadelphia.
Great Transportation Options
Lots of Delco residents find it convenient to live in the county and commute to work in Philly daily. SEPTA’s (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) extensive public transportation network, including trolleys, buses, and regional rail trains, makes it easy to travel to the city and other suburbs.
Travel time by car from Delco to Philly is around 43 minutes, depending on the area. For people who travel frequently to the NYC area or the DC area, Delco serves as a suitable halfway point between these locations and Philadelphia.
Lots of Career Opportunities
For young people looking to jumpstart their careers or established professionals seeking career advancement, Delaware County offers an abundance of opportunities. Major employers in the area include an assortment of technology, healthcare, financial, and pharmaceutical companies, such as Boeing, Jefferson Health Systems, Main Line Health, ChristianaCare, AstraZeneca, DuPont, WSFS Bank, W.L. Gore & Associates, and JPMorgan Chase.
Educational institutions like Widener University and the University of Delaware are also major employers that offer opportunities for research and development. This diverse and stable job market ensures a consistent pool of potential tenants for investors.
Quality Schools and Education System
Delaware County has 15 school districts with several notable universities. Its K-12 schools cater to kids of all ages, with at least 7 of them being award-winning school districts. Among the top-rated school districts in the area are Radnor Township School District, Garnet Valley School District, and Wallingford-Swarthmore School District.
Along with nationally-recognized educational institutions nearby like the University of Pennsylvania and Bryn Mawr College, Delaware County also hosts Widener University and some of the best private schools in the entire state. A strong school system consistently drives rental demand and property values.
Outdoor Recreation and Other Attractions
What Philadelphia lacks in green spaces, Delaware County provides in abundance. Here, visitors and residents have a selection of parks to choose from: Glen Providence Park, Ridley Creek State Park, and Rose Tree Park. Walking/biking trails, playgrounds, and pet-friendly locations provide safe spaces for children and families.
There are historical landmarks like Brandywine Battlefield, the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, and the 1724 Chester Courthouse for the intellectually inclined. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, Ridley Creek State Park, and Darby Creek Trails are perfect destinations for hiking, fishing, horseback riding, bird-watching, and wildlife spotting.
Why You Should Invest in Delaware County Now
As earlier stated, home prices in Pennsylvania in general and Delaware County in particular have been climbing, but there is still room before these prices reach parity with the national average. At the same time, data shows that homes are regularly sold above their list price, signaling growing demand in the area.
Data shows that the number of homes sold year-on-year increased by 5.8%. Although median rent and median home value currently stand at approximately $1,315 and $302,400, respectively, these figures are expected to climb as population growth puts more pressure on the housing market.
It must be said, however, that this state of affairs is unlikely to remain in the near future. The presence of a highly diverse economic base and consistent year-on-year population growth shows that we may soon experience remarkable changes in the area’s real estate landscape.
This is already happening, as growing home sales volume (5.8%), increasing house prices (9.3% increase in July), and the number of homes sold above list price (33.0%) show us. Delaware County’s relatively low home prices offer an affordable entry point with significant upsides in the future.
As a crucial sector in the strong Pennsylvania housing market, property analysts and real estate investors are gradually turning their attention to Delaware County as an emerging property hotspot. This result is expected partly as a spillover demand from buyers in Philadelphia.
But a large part of the demand is also expected to come from the County’s sterling qualities. Instead of trailing the housing trends in Philadelphia, Delco is likely to become a favored investment destination in its own right. This is already happening, but is expected to grow.
Investors who hop on this trend now are the ones who will be positioned to make the huge profits in the future.
Bottom Line
Delaware County, PA, is poised for significant real estate appreciation, driven by strong job growth, excellent amenities, and commuter access to Philadelphia. To successfully navigate this growing market and maximize your rental returns, you need local expertise.
Don't go it alone—partner with Premier Property Management & Realty LLC to secure your investment and achieve peace of mind.