The first seaside resort in the United States, Cape May, New Jersey is known as one of the best beaches on the mid-Atlantic coast. A spacious, paved promenade runs parallel to nearly two miles of coastline and the entire city is a National Historic Landmark due to its high concentration of Victorian homes and buildings. Along with rich history and architectural landmarks, Cape May offers fantastic shopping, dining, entertainment and recreational opportunities and you can walk or bike almost anywhere on the island.
Cape May, NJ (Photo: Chris Morris via Flickr/ CC BY 2.0)
Cape May is only a few miles long and a few miles wide, so the island’s neighborhoods flow together. There are some distinct sections, though. The beachfront has large historic homes mixed with new custom homes that can be good investment properties. West Cape May is more residential with smaller homes and cottages and excellent shopping and restaurants. Cape May Point is where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay, and home to the Cape May Lighthouse, a popular tourist attraction. The “Center of Town,” as locals call it, is within walking distance to beaches, but still in the midst of the quaint business district, stores and restaurants.
New Jersey requires real estate agents to be licensed by the state via a rigorous examination process. You will also need a real estate attorney, preferably one who specializes in residential real estate. Any negotiations regarding the property or terms should be noted in your contract and thoroughly reviewed. Typically, you will not meet the attorney until closing day, so make sure you are comfortable speaking with him or her over the phone. Below, we’ve outlined three reputable real estate agencies who can help you purchase houses and vacation homes in Cape May.
Coastline Realty
Whether it be an investment property or your primary residence, this locally-based agency can help you find the perfect Cape May house or vacation home. Their website is chock full of helpful information, including real estate market reports for Cape May (which can be helpful in determining the neighborhood you’d like to purchase in), area information and a page to educate potential buyers on the process of purchasing real estate in New Jersey. There’s also an Agents page with short biographies of agents so you can get to know the person you’ll be working with. Besides accommodating sales, they also offer an extensive selection of vacation rentals and offer property management services so you can rest easy knowing your property is taken care of when you’re not there.
Weichert
Headquartered in Morris Plains, New Jersey, Weichert is a popular real estate brokerage firm in the Northeast U.S. The family-owned agency has been in business since 1969 and is led by co-presidents (and father/son team) Jim and James Weichert. Weichert’s website is not as flashy as some agencies, but it is easily navigable, offering detailed descriptions, maps and a directory of open houses. You can search the number of homes currently on the market by size, type (such as single or multi family, townhomes, condos, land and even farms) and other filters. You can also search the “Just Listed” section to keep up with the latest homes to hit the market. Weichert can also connect you with local partners such as lenders, appraisers and inspectors to make the home-buying process as streamlined as possible.
Sothebys
If you’re searching for a luxury home in the Cape May area, you’ll definitely want to check out Sotheby’s. The storied auction house has an impressive selection of elegant homes available in the region. You can search their website for a list of Cape May agents and reach out to them directly via their personal apps or contact forms. There’s also a luxury living blog and links to Sotheby’s lifestyle magazine and podcast, both named RESIDE. Due to Sotheby’s extensive global network, this is a great option for international buyers. Many of the homes listed in Cape May also have virtual reality tours available.