Despite otherwise dismal news in real estate, Realtors along the coastline say this year the options for last-minute vacationers are better than ever.

With new development throughout the beaches, Jack Lingo Realty Rental Manager Jo-Ann Bacher said many owners of investment properties are eager to rent.

"(Summer rentals are) shaping up really well," Bacher said. "Even at this late date there are still lots of properties to choose from."

While weekly rentals are on par with last year, Coldwell Banker Resort Realty Rental Manager Sharon Palmer said there are still some summer rentals available at this late date.

"Seasonal (rentals) are a little bit off from last year, but higher dollar weeklies have made up for that income," she said. "It really is a luxury to be able to take a whole summer off and work at the beach. Families are still going to take their vacations, but they are not going to send their kids here for the summer."

Last year was the best on record for rentals at Coldwell Banker, Palmer said. This year, she believes seasonal rentals have taken a hit because families don't have the disposable income to help high school and college students pay for their rentals up-front.

At ResortQuest -- a national vacation realty company with a location in Bethany Beach -- spokesman Tim Fisher said Delaware beaches should not be as affected by gas prices as other areas.

With Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Baltimore all within a three-hour drive, Fisher said visitors from the metropolitan areas should help cushion the economic blow.

"There is still a long way to go until August, but rentals have started out strong this year," he said. "People want to go on vacation and (our coastline) is, for the most part, less than a tank of gas away from their house."

It's a renter's market, Fisher said.

Palmer has seen an increase in last-minute vacation rentals and advises visitors not to delay booking summer rentals.

"It's still too early to tell (because) so many people are booking last minute, which isn't always the wisest thing," she said. "There are properties open and we can accommodate last minute (vacationers), but it's very risky because they may end up with nothing."

source: delmarvanow.com