By Henry T. Snelling, Contributing Writer

Like a couturier who's thinking fall when the rest of us are donning sweaters and parkas, real estate rental agents in resort areas live in the future. It may be the dead of winter to you, but to beach rental agents, the first quarter of the year is the height of the summer rental season... 

Drawing From a Wide Area

Most of Delaware's vacation rental accommodations are located in six beach communities -- from Lewes, at the mouth of Delaware Bay, to Fenwick Island, the state's southern-most beach community. On the 25-mile drive, you'll pass through Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and South Bethany. All six offer rentals on or near the Atlantic beaches, and some also have rentals along protected bays. (Rentals are also available inland, where you'll sacrifice convenience and beach access in return for more affordable rates.)

In fact, says Carol Everhart, executive director of the Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, New York and Pennsylvania are neck and neck as the area's top two markets for Delaware beach rentals. Baltimore and D.C. (along with New Jersey) are close behind, with Ohio also in the running. Percentage-wise, far more Delawareans do come, she adds, but since the state's population base is so much smaller, they represent only a small share of the total seasonal business. "Our market is anyone within a six-hour drive," she adds.

All of that means that a lot of people from a fairly large area are after the same rental property that is the vacation hideaway of your dreams. The message: if you want a wide selection, start your search immediately.

Check Out the Community

Like Meredith Wilson's Music Man, you gotta know the territory. In other words, don't be tempted to pick a rental solely on appearance or price without knowing the community where it's located. Though only a few miles separate them, the six beach communities have distinctly different personalities. That may not make a difference when you're soaking up some rays or frolicking in the waves, but it could be important after dark, or if you're unfortunate enough to have a spot of weather interrupt your vacation. Children are more likely to find playmates in some communities than in others. And some also offer more rainy-day activities that won't entail a long, wet drive.

If you're not already familiar with the communities, here's a quick recap. But the best advice is to take a tour before you make a commitment.

• Lewes. Lewes is the gateway to Delaware's Atlantic Beach communities. Its laid-back ambiance reflects more of its rich heritage than in the beach communities further south. The historic town, whose origins date back to 1631, has a distinctive seaport flavor, and amenities to match -- marinas, beach-oriented shops and restaurants with seafood menus and marine decor. Lewes also has a host of historic attractions. Its bay beach is in town, and the ocean is minutes away, at Cape Henlopen State Park.
• Rehoboth Beach. Rehoboth Beach bills itself as "The Nation's Summer Capital." The most northerly of Delaware's Atlantic shore communities, it is also the largest and best known. It has two distinct personalities. The centerpiece of one is a mile-long boardwalk lined with fast-food outlets and pubs, beach clothing and souvenir shops, arcades and carnival rides. It's vibrant, alive and often crowded -- and nothing else on the Delaware shore can match it. Rehoboth's alter ego is sophisticated and chic, with upscale specialty shops, boutiques and galleries, plus elegant restaurants offering memorable ambiance and haute cuisine. Nearby, on Route 1, are the outlet stores, where famed manufacturers offer exceptional bargains in quality designer merchandise.
• Dewey Beach. Dewey Beach is a popular community wedged between the Atlantic and Rehoboth Bay. With access to both, the community is the first choice for the younger and more athletically inclined set, who enjoy its diversity of watersports. Many of the restaurants and nightspots that line Route 1 in Dewey Beach cater to the college crowd and young singles; Dewey is a place where visitors play hard and work hard to relax afterwards. But it's also known for its spectacular sunsets over the bay.
• Bethany Beach/South Bethany/Fenwick Island. Delaware's three southern beach communities bill themselves as "The Quiet Resorts." Occupying a seven-mile stretch of oceanfront extending south to the Maryland line, they have a more relaxed pace that appeals to families with young children. They offer pristine and uncrowded beaches, along with most of the recreational opportunities available at the better-known Rehoboth to the north (or the far-larger Ocean City, Maryland, just to the south). Bethany Beach also has a long boardwalk lined with shops, arcades and restaurants, but the pace is slower and it's less commercial than Rehoboth. Biking is a popular way to get around; you'll often see families riding along their many bike paths and lanes.

How Much Will it Cost?

Many factors determine rental rates, but location still claims the top three places on the list. Unlike the market for year-round homes, however, it's not so much the community as it is proximity to the beach that's most important. An oceanfront property will command a rental price that's hundreds (or for the largest, perhaps even thousands) more than a comparable home just a block away. Similarly, oceanfront homes will cost significantly more than bay-front properties.

After location, size (the number of people the home can sleep) and the three "A's" - ambiance, age and amenities - all play a role. Amenities may prove more important than you'd expect: Are the bedrooms all air-conditioned? Is there a VCR? Is the kitchen fully or just basically equipped? Does the house have a charcoal or gas grill for cookouts? A deck to sunbathe or enjoy sunsets? An outside shower? Is there a pool or tennis court for renters' use? Even if they add to the price, a few extra conveniences could be well worth the cost.

Generally, you can expect to pay a minimum of $1,800-$2,200 per week in season for a private home, with luxurious new oceanfront properties now commanding rates approaching $10,000/week. Townhouses and condos usually start in the same range, but the top end is far lower. Some properties have a two-week minimum rental, and many are available seasonally -- including a few exclusively on that basis. Rates usually are lower for September and May rentals, and sometimes for June as well.

Where and How to Start

Thanks to the Internet, you can now get a feel for availability and prices even before you leave home. All the large real estate offices handling rentals have comprehensive Web sites featuring color photos and brief property descriptions. (Most agencies also publish seasonal rental guides. A call to their offices will get you a complimentary copy by mail -- but they generally duplicate what's on the Web site, which is also more current.)

Something else to remember: There's no multi-list for rentals -- each agency has exclusive listings. For the best selection, you may want to check out the offerings of several before you decide which properties to see.

Once you've made a selection, expect to make a 50 percent deposit immediately (less for seasonal rentals), with the balance due as much as 30 days prior to occupancy -- the terms vary by rental agent. Remember that the lease isn't binding until it's signed and returned, along with your deposit. (More than one prospective renter has been disappointed to find that a property they like has been rented in the short time since they left the rental office to inspect it.)

Depending on the community, you may also have to pay a local rental tax and/or a fee for a parking permit. Some agencies also charge a non-refundable processing fee. A refundable security deposit, determined by the property owner, is also required. Usually ranging from $200 to $500, it's payable with the balance of the rental fee.

If you must cancel, your rental deposit may be forfeited if the owner is unable to find another tenant. Even if the accommodations are re-rented, you may have to pay a cancellation fee, which also varies by agency.

Chambers of Commerce:

Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. (302) 539-2100, (800) 962-SURF or www.bethany-fenwick.org

Lewes Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. (302) 645-8973, (800) 345-8073 or www.leweschamber.com

Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. (302) 227-2233, (800) 441-1329 or www.beach-fun.com