Cape May Homes for Sale: Victorian Seaside Property in New Jersey

Cape May's historic district is packed with painted wooden Victorian houses, and the Washington Street pedestrian mall, the beachfront promenade and Cape May Point lighthouse draw large summer crowds. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry links to Delaware, and Philadelphia is roughly two hours by car. Summer rentals are the economic engine, so short-term rental rules matter; check local licensing and occupancy limits before relying on rental income. Winters are quiet, which some owners love and others find isolating. Buyers are mostly second-home owners from Philadelphia, New York and New Jersey, and retirees.

The United States has no general ban on foreign buyers. Under FIRPTA, a buyer must withhold 15% of the sale price when a foreign person later sells, with reduced rates (10% and 0%) for qualifying residence purchases up to $1 million and $300,000. Coastal property needs flood-zone and insurance checks, since premiums can be high, and older wooden houses need inspection for rot and termites. Use a US attorney and title insurance; our US buying guide and financing page cover the process.

There is no coordinate data here, so treat the links as other markets in the state: Ocean City is the nearest Jersey Shore resort, while Toms River, Edison, Newark, Jersey City and Fort Lee are much farther north. The United States page has the full list.