Delaware Mortgage Calculator
Estimate your monthly mortgage payment on a Delaware home — principal & interest, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance — then see how Delaware's realty transfer tax affects what you bring to closing.
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Delaware's realty transfer tax: the 4% to plan for
Delaware charges a realty transfer tax when a property changes hands, and it's one of the larger closing costs in the state. The total is typically 4% of the purchase price. The state's share is 2.5% where the county or town levies its own full 1.5% transfer tax; where there is no local transfer tax, the state rate is 3%.
Under Delaware law (30 Del. C. §5402), the tax is split equally between buyer and seller — on a standard contract, that's 2% from the buyer and 2% from the seller.
Read the builder clause. New-construction and builder contracts frequently require the buyer to pay the full 4% instead of the standard 2% share. On a $400,000 home, that's the difference between $8,000 and $16,000 out of your pocket — check that clause before you sign.
First-time buyer credit
A qualifying first-time buyer's share is reduced by 0.5% of the price on up to $400,000 of value — a maximum saving of $2,000, bringing the buyer's share to 1.5% instead of 2%. To qualify, the buyer must never have owned residential real estate. Your title company confirms the exact amount at closing.
No mortgage or recordation tax
Delaware has no mortgage tax and no recordation tax — two line items common in other states that you won't see on a Delaware closing disclosure.
Three counties, three recorders
Delaware has only three counties — New Castle, Kent, and Sussex — and each has its own Recorder of Deeds. There are no city recorders, so recording always happens at the county level.
Low property taxes
Delaware's effective property tax rate is low — roughly 0.5% of a home's value per year. That's an approximation: actual taxes vary by county, school district, and municipality.
Worked example: a $400,000 Delaware home
Here's the full picture on a $400,000 purchase with 10% down, a $360,000 loan at 6.50% for 30 years, $2,000 a year in property taxes, and $1,800 a year in insurance:
| Principal & interest | $2,275.44 |
| Property taxes ($2,000 ÷ 12) | $166.67 |
| Insurance ($1,800 ÷ 12) | $150.00 |
| Estimated monthly payment | $2,592.11 |
And the transfer tax on that same $400,000 purchase, at the typical 4% total:
| Total realty transfer tax (4%) | $16,000 |
| Buyer's standard share (2%) | $8,000 |
| Qualifying first-time buyer's share (1.5%) | $6,000 |
| First-time buyer credit savings (the maximum) | $2,000 |
Buying in Delaware: Wilmington, Dover, Newark & Rehoboth Beach
Adam is licensed in Delaware and works with buyers across all three counties. Wherever you're looking, the estimator above works the same way — what changes is the local transfer-tax split and your property tax bill.
Wilmington
New Castle County
Delaware's largest city and its corporate and banking center, with neighborhoods ranging from historic row homes to riverfront condos — and commuter access to Philadelphia.
Newark
New Castle County
Home to the University of Delaware, Newark blends a college-town core with established suburban neighborhoods popular with first-time buyers and university staff.
Dover
Kent County
The state capital in central Delaware, near Dover Air Force Base, with a mix of historic homes and newer subdivisions at prices below the northern and beach markets.
Rehoboth Beach
Sussex County
The state's best-known beach town — a second-home and vacation market where insurance costs and seasonal rental plans deserve a closer look before you buy.
Delaware mortgage FAQs
How much is Delaware's realty transfer tax, and who pays it?
The realty transfer tax is typically 4% of the purchase price in total. Under 30 Del. C. §5402 it is split equally between buyer and seller, so on a standard contract the buyer pays 2% and the seller pays 2%. Watch out for builder contracts, which frequently require the buyer to pay the full 4%.
How does the Delaware first-time home buyer credit work?
A qualifying first-time buyer's share of the transfer tax is reduced by 0.5% of the price on up to $400,000 of value — up to a $2,000 saving, bringing the buyer's share from 2% down to 1.5%. The buyer must never have owned residential real estate, and the title company confirms the exact credit amount for your purchase.
Does Delaware charge a mortgage tax or recordation tax?
No. Delaware has no mortgage tax and no recordation tax. Deeds are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds in one of Delaware's three counties — New Castle, Kent, or Sussex — and there are no city recorders.
Are property taxes high in Delaware?
No — Delaware's effective property tax rate is low, at roughly 0.5% of a home's value per year. That figure is approximate: your actual bill depends on the county, school district, and municipality. The estimator's $2,000-a-year default is a starting point you can adjust.
Is this calculator a quote or a pre-approval?
No. This page provides estimates only — it is not a quote, a pre-approval, a commitment to lend, or tax advice. Rates and payments depend on your credit profile, the property, and the loan program. For numbers based on your actual situation, apply online or book a consultation with Adam.
Want Delaware numbers run on your actual purchase?
Estimates are a starting point. Adam can price your loan across 175+ wholesale lenders and walk through the transfer tax on the specific home you're buying.