Cape May County NJ Property Records & Title Search

Cape May County's property market is defined by its shore economy. Avalon and Stone Harbor (collectively known as "Seven Mile Island") represent one of New Jersey's most exclusive residential markets, with median home values exceeding $1.5 million and teardown-and-rebuild activity driving significant construction permit volume.

Cape May City's Victorian architecture and historic district create a unique market where preservation requirements and tourism revenue intersect. Ocean City, a "dry" (alcohol-free) community, attracts family-oriented buyers and maintains strong property values across its residential neighborhoods and boardwalk-adjacent commercial strip.

The Wildwoods (Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest) offer a more accessible price point with a mix of single-family homes, condominiums, and "doo-wop" era motels. Sea Isle City occupies a middle ground with a growing year-round community and active renovation market.

Mainland communities like Middle Township (Cape May Court House), Lower Township, and Upper Township provide year-round residential markets with more affordable options than the barrier islands.

RegWatch provides comprehensive property intelligence for all 16 Cape May County municipalities. Search any address to access:

• Sales History: Complete transaction records from SR-1A filings including sale prices, dates, grantor/grantee names, and deed references.
• Tax Assessments: Current and historical MOD-IV assessment data including land value, improvement value, total assessment, and property classification.
• Building Permits: DCA Uniform Construction Code permit records for new construction, renovations, demolitions, and certificates of occupancy.
• Deed & Title Records: County clerk recording references for deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments.
• Parcel Data: NJGIN-sourced parcel boundaries, block/lot identifiers, acreage, and property class information.
• Owner Information: Current owner name and mailing address from tax assessment records.

Professional plans include PDF report generation, portfolio monitoring, and bulk data access for title companies, law firms, and real estate professionals working across Cape May County.

RegWatch compiles Cape May County property data from key NJ sources:

• SR-1A Sales Records: Property sales across all 16 Cape May County municipalities, with seasonal transaction patterns visible in the data.
• NJGIN Parcel Data: Parcel boundaries and tax map data for all Cape May County municipalities from the NJ Geographic Information Network.
• DCA Permit Data: Building permits including the high volume of new construction and renovation activity on the barrier islands.
• County Clerk Deed Records: The Cape May County Clerk's office in Cape May Court House maintains deed, mortgage, and lien recordings.
• MOD-IV Tax Assessment Data: Property assessments reflecting the wide range of values from mainland residential to premium beachfront.

Cape May County's 16 municipalities center on the shore economy:

• Cape May City: A National Historic Landmark city with the largest collection of Victorian homes in the US. Historic preservation rules govern property modifications. Strong B&B and tourism market.
• Avalon / Stone Harbor: Exclusive barrier-island communities with premium property values. Active teardown-rebuild market with significant construction permit volume.
• Ocean City: A family-friendly "dry" community with a boardwalk, strong year-round population, and diverse housing from bungalows to beachfront estates.
• Wildwood / North Wildwood / Wildwood Crest: Boardwalk and entertainment-driven communities with a range of property types and price points. Motel conversions and new condo development are active.
• Sea Isle City: A growing barrier-island community with active renovation and new construction. Increasingly year-round population base.
• Middle Township: The mainland center including Cape May Court House. Year-round residential community with commercial services.
• Lower Township: The county's most populous municipality, encompassing mainland areas and the Cape May Canal waterfront.

Cape May County uses New Jersey's block-and-lot system across its 16 municipalities. Barrier-island communities tend to have denser, more uniform lot patterns, while mainland townships have more varied parcel sizes.

Coastal regulations add critical complexity to Cape May County property records. The NJ Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) governs development in coastal zones, and FEMA flood zone designations directly impact insurance requirements and building standards. Elevation certificates, flood damage history, and CAFRA permits are essential components of property due diligence.

Short-term rental regulations vary by municipality and can significantly affect property values and investment returns. Ocean City, the Wildwoods, Sea Isle City, and other communities have specific rental registration requirements and zoning restrictions that should be verified during property research.

MOD-IV assessments in Cape May County reflect dramatic value differences — a beachfront lot in Avalon may be assessed at millions while a mainland residential property trades for a fraction of that. Seasonal occupancy patterns affect how properties are classified and taxed.