with Jim Arcidiacono, REALTOR® · KW Empower
I'm Jim Arcidiacono, a REALTOR® with KW Empower, licensed in Delaware (RS-0025567), Pennsylvania and Maryland. As a Lewes, Delaware real estate agent, I help buyers and sellers across ZIP 19958, from the bayfront streets of Lewes Beach to the Gills Neck Road communities beside Cape Henlopen State Park. With 8 years in real estate and more than 20 in client service, I have closed 200 career units and more than $75 million in volume. I price from local comps, explain every step in plain language, and stay in touch long after closing.
Redfin, three months ending . See the full 19958 market snapshot · All Lewes homes for sale
Photo: Second Street, downtown Lewes, by Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
Comps, flood zone and HOA checks on every Lewes home you consider.
Pricing from recent 19958 sales and marketing timed to beach season.
Remote tours and a clear read on carrying costs for a home by the bay.
Purchase math, taxes and insurance reviewed before you commit.
A written value range built from nearby sales, not a portal estimate.
The words that come back in Jim Arcidiacono's reviews are patience, availability and follow-through. Clients describe first home purchases, a buy-and-sell done without a single showing, and a remote purchase from Alaska across a four-hour time difference. These excerpts come from reviews published on his Zillow profile.
Brandy Luce
"Jim made the process of buying a new home and selling our old home easy and painless. He was able to get us into the first house we looked at! He was then able to help sell our condo without needing to list it and worry about showings. Jim took a stressful process and made it stress free and easy."
AllieMcClain7
"Jim is amazing to work with. We had originally started our journey before the pandemic, and as a young home buyer at the time (20) we didn't know what to expect. He was very patient with us and even though we didn't buy the first home we saw with him, he kept in touch with us as well as helped us lock down our new home in 2022. Him and his team are amazing to work with, and helped us with any issues we made along the way."
aheinsohn5
"We got so lucky with Jim. As first time home buyers we had no idea what to expect and no idea what we were doing. Jim never got annoyed by my seemingly endless questions and he was always comfortable sharing his opinion which is something we valued. He was also willing to make any day or time work for a viewing which was so important when houses were selling in days. We truly could not have bought a home in this market without his assistance."
James Slattery
"Jim did an exceptional job helping our family purchase a home in the highly competitive Unionville-Chadds Ford school district! We were purchasing a home remotely from Alaska which made the transaction even more challenging. Jim was extremely knowledgeable, flexible, and an excellent communicator which helped everything go very smooth. Jim was always available to talk to us and worked with our 4hr time difference. We would recommend Jim to anyone searching for a home without hesitation!"
Excerpts from reviews published by clients on Jim Arcidiacono's Zillow profile. Read the full reviews and any newer ones there, on his team testimonials page, or on his Google Business Profile.
I have been licensed for 8 years and have worked in client service for more than 20. Today I lead Next Move Delaware Valley, a team at KW Empower, 111 Continental Drive Ste. 305, Newark, DE 19713. I hold active licenses in Delaware (RS-0025567), Pennsylvania (RS-348119) and Maryland (5001082), so I can work with you in Lewes and follow you across state lines when your move starts somewhere else. The designation REALTOR® means I am a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and bound by its Code of Ethics.
My clients come from Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties, the City of Philadelphia, Cecil County in Maryland and every corner of Delaware. A growing share of them are looking toward the coast. In Lewes that means questions my inland clients never ask: which streets sit in a FEMA flood zone, how the Lewes Board of Public Works bills electric and water, whether a home east of Route 1 carries an HOA, and how summer traffic on Coastal Highway changes a commute. I answer those before you tour, not after you are under contract.
I work the way I would want someone to work for me. You get clear communication, pricing built from recent comparable sales, and a steady voice through inspection, appraisal and settlement. My goal is simple: be your agent for life, long after the keys change hands.
Recognition And Production
Last updated: . Verify licensing with the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.
As of September 2026, homes in Lewes 19958 sold at a median of $588,745 over the three months ending August, down 5.8% from a year earlier, while sales held flat at 306 homes. The median home sold in 75 days at 99.3% of list; 14.8% sold above list and 34.2% of listings took a price drop. At the median price with 20% down and Freddie Mac's 7.03% 30-year average, principal and interest run about $3,143 a month, and Sussex County's 0.32% effective tax rate adds roughly $157.
My read: Lewes gave buyers some room this year. Lower prices almost cancelled out the higher rate, so the monthly payment on the median home barely moved. The bigger swing in a beach ZIP is insurance: with 28% of properties rated at severe flood risk, the flood zone can change your budget more than the price.
Part of Lewes, Delaware. See all Lewes homes for sale or jump to the monthly cost calculator.
| Location | Lewes and its surroundings in eastern Sussex County on the Delaware Bay, next to Cape Henlopen State Park · Cape Henlopen School District | Wikipedia |
|---|---|---|
| City housing stock | 3,085 housing units inside city limits in 2020, 45.8% vacant including seasonal homes; median owner-occupied value $826,100 | Census 2020 and ACS 2020 to 2024 |
| Sale prices | $588,745 median · $260 per sq ft (flat) · 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Redfin |
| Typical home value | $592,292, down 0.2% over the past year | Zillow ZHVI |
| Speed and pricing power | 75 median days on market · 99.3% sale-to-list · hot homes pend in about 42 days | Redfin |
| Property tax | About 0.32% median effective rate in Sussex County; homes inside Lewes city limits also pay city tax | Census ACS via PropertyTaxByState |
| Flood exposure | Severe. About 28% of properties (2,833) at risk of severe flooding over 30 years | First Street |
| Mortgage rate | 7.03% 30-year fixed average, week of Sept 24, 2026 (6.30% a year ago) | Freddie Mac PMMS |
Redfin shows 8 closings in 19958 from September 22 to 25, 2026, at a median of $647,500, ranging from a $58,000 home on Clematis Street to $1,110,000 on Broeders Drive. Several sales under $160,000 and two closings recorded well above list price show why a handful of recent sales can mislead.
Figures are third-party estimates as cited, gathered September 2026. They describe homes and sales, not the people who live here. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
19958 Housing Pulse · Updated
Analysis by Jim Arcidiacono, REALTOR®, KW Empower · Licensed in DE, PA and MD · 200 career units
Each year-over-year reading below is tagged by which side it helps. Redfin Compete Score: 43 / 100.
The median home in 19958 sold in 75 days over the three months ending August 2026, one day faster than a year earlier, while the most in-demand homes went pending in about 42 days.
At the $588,745 median with 20% down and a 7.03% rate, principal and interest run about $3,143 a month, and county property tax at a 0.32% effective rate adds about $157, before insurance, HOA dues and any City of Lewes tax.
Down modestly. The median sale price fell 5.8% year over year while price per square foot held at $260 and Zillow's typical value slipped 0.2%, so values are steady and the mix of homes selling has shifted.
| Metric | Now | A year ago | Period | Definition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $588,745 | about $625,000 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | The middle price of all homes that closed in the period. | Redfin |
| Sale price per sq ft | $260 | $260 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Sale price divided by finished living area, median across sales. | Redfin |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 99.3% | about 101.8% | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Final sale price as a percentage of the last list price. | Redfin |
| Typical home value | $592,292 | n/a | June 2026 | Zillow's estimate of a mid-tier home's value across the ZIP. | Zillow ZHVI |
| Homes sold | 306 | about 306 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Count of closed sales recorded in the period. | Redfin |
| Median days on market | 75 | 76 | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Days from listing to accepted contract, median across sold homes. | Redfin |
| Sold above list | 14.8% | about 19.6% | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Share of closed sales where the price exceeded the list price. | Redfin |
| Listings with price drops | 34.2% | about 36.7% | 3 months ending Aug 2026 | Share of listings that reduced their asking price at least once. | Redfin |
| 30-year mortgage rate | 7.03% | 6.30% | Week of Sept 24, 2026 | National average for a conforming 30-year fixed loan. | Freddie Mac PMMS |
| Principal and interest at median | $3,143/mo | $3,095/mo | Sept 2026 | Monthly loan payment on the median price with 20% down, excluding tax and insurance. | Calculated from Redfin and Freddie Mac |
| Property tax at median | $157/mo | n/a | 2020 to 2024 | Sussex County median effective rate (median tax paid over median value) applied to the 19958 median price. | Census ACS via PropertyTaxByState |
| Loan plus tax at median | $3,300/mo | n/a | Sept 2026 | Principal, interest and county property tax on the median price with 20% down. | Calculated from Redfin, Freddie Mac and Census |
| Housing units, City of Lewes | 3,085 | n/a | 2020 | Total housing units inside Lewes city limits, occupied or vacant. | 2020 Census |
| Median owner-occupied value | $826,100 | n/a | 2020 to 2024 | Owners' own estimate of value, median across owner-occupied homes in the city. | U.S. Census ACS |
| Severe flood risk, 30 years | 28% | n/a | 2026 model | Share of properties modeled to face severe flooding within 30 years. | First Street |
| Severe heat and wind exposure | 98% / 100% | n/a | 2026 model | Share of properties with a Severe Heat Factor and a Severe Wind Factor. | First Street |
Cite this: Jim Arcidiacono, KW Empower, "Lewes 19958 Housing Pulse," https://delawarevalleyrealestate.com/#pulse, data as of August 2026, updated September 30, 2026.
Year-ago values are derived from the sources' reported changes where not published directly. Figures describe homes and sales, not residents. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Six Lewes areas buyers ask about most, side by side: the public price figures I can cite against the ZIP median, the monthly payment where a figure exists, and what drives value in each. Filter by home type or by walking distance to the beach.
Showing 6 of 6 neighborhoods
Vintage homes near $1.2M
About $6,406/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.03%, on the figure above
About $1.2M median vintage listing
The oldest streets in town, around Second Street, Front Street and Savannah Road. Many homes sit inside the National Register-listed Lewes Historic District, so exterior changes can need review.
Comps on request
Ask for current compsPriced from the last few closings
Flood zone decides the budget
The strip between the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal and the Delaware Bay, reached by Savannah Road. Homes sit close to the calm bay beach, so flood zone and insurance are part of every search here.
Custom homes, 0.35 to 0.53-acre lots
Ask for current compsPriced from the last few closings
132 acres, former Bay Manor Farm
A community along Gills Neck Road within about a half mile of Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park and downtown. An architectural review committee guides design.
A recent listing at $1,189,900
About $6,352/mo principal and interest20% down at 7.03%, on the figure above
About 2 miles from downtown
A sold-out Schell Brothers community at the end of Gills Neck Road. The Junction and Breakwater Trail borders its southern side.
Comps on request
Ask for current compsPriced from the last few closings
287 single-family, 136 townhomes planned
A Schell Brothers community off Gills Neck Road near the Junction and Breakwater Trail, with single-family homes and townhomes.
Comps on request
Ask for current compsPriced from the last few closings
Across the trail from Senators
A single-family community set between Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park and Rehoboth Beach.
No neighborhood matches that filter. Ask me about nearby options.
Figures reflect public listings at the time of research, September 2026, not closed-sale values, and move constantly. Payment estimates exclude tax, insurance and HOA dues; see the monthly cost calculator. The dark tick on each bar marks the 19958 median sale price of $588,745.
The same numbers point different ways depending on whether you are buying, selling or investing. Pick your goal for the two signals that matter most and the move I would make next.
34.2%of listings cut price
One listing in three took a price drop, only 14.8% sold above list, and the typical home sold at 99.3% of asking.
Why it matters: a price drop means a listing missed on launch. That is where your leverage lives; well-prepared homes near the beach still move.
Redfin, 3 months to Aug 2026 · 306 closed sales
7.03%30-year average rate
The median price fell 5.8%, but the rate rose from 6.30% to 7.03%, so the payment on the median home is still about $48 higher than a year ago.
Why it matters: payment, not price, sets your ceiling. Lock a pre-approval before touring the top of your range.
Freddie Mac PMMS, Sept 24, 2026 · 20% down on the median
306homes sold, flat year over year
Closings were essentially unchanged at 306, and the median home sold one day faster than a year ago.
Why it matters: steady sales at a lower median price mean buyers are there, but they are pricing carefully. Launch price decides whether you get showings or a cut.
Redfin, 3 months to Aug 2026 · 306 closed sales
~38 daysfaster for hot homes
Redfin's hot homes sell for around list price and go pending in about 42 days, versus about 80 days and 2% under list for a typical home.
Why it matters: the gap is roughly 2% of price plus five weeks of carrying costs. Prep and pricing earn it back.
Redfin Compete Score detail · modeled estimate
28%severe flood risk, 30 yrs
First Street rates 2,833 19958 properties at severe flood risk, and nearly all face severe wind and heat exposure.
Why it matters: two homes at the same price can carry very different insurance bills. Quote before you commit.
First Street Foundation via Redfin · 2026 model
0.32%Sussex County effective tax rate
At 0.32%, county property tax on the median home is about $157 a month, and Delaware has no sales tax.
Why it matters: a lower tax line leaves more room for insurance and HOA dues. Homes inside city limits also pay City of Lewes tax.
Census ACS via PropertyTaxByState · county-level median
Jump to: Housing pulse · Neighborhoods · Price trends · Monthly cost calculator · Risk exposure · FAQ
By Jim Arcidiacono, REALTOR®, KW Empower · Updated · Figures carry their source; interpretation lines are mine.
01The 60-Second Overview
Lewes sits where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, beside Cape Henlopen State Park and about seven miles north of Rehoboth Beach. ZIP 19958 reaches from the historic grid downtown out along Route 1 and Gills Neck Road. Four chapters, fifteen seconds each.
Dutch settlers founded Zwaanendael on June 3, 1631. William Penn renamed the town Lewes in 1682, British ships bombarded it in 1813, it incorporated on February 2, 1818, and Fort Miles went up on Cape Henlopen in 1941.
1631
Delaware's first European settlement
The city covers about 5.12 square miles with 3,303 residents at the 2020 census. ZIP 19958 adds the communities along Route 1 and Gills Neck Road, with Lewes Beach, Canalfront Park and the 6-mile Junction and Breakwater Trail close by.
Homes in 19958 sold at a median of $588,745 in 75 days at 99.3% of list over the three months ending August 2026. Inside city limits, Redfin's three-month median ending May 2026 was about $825,000. First Street rates flood risk Severe.
$588,745
19958 median sale, 3 months to Aug 2026
75 days · 99.3% of list · flood risk Severe
Inside one ZIP code, the flood zone, city limits, utility provider, HOA and school boundary can change from street to street. I verify each of these for a specific home before you commit, usually during the inspection period.
1:00Your next sixty seconds
Sources: Lewes, Delaware; Census ACS; Redfin 19958; Redfin City of Lewes; First Street, accessed .
Each chart states its window and sample. Two-point charts compare the same three-month window a year apart; the recent-closings charts use the 8 sales Redfin lists for September 22 to 25, so single homes move them.
Adjust the numbers for your home
Defaults: Redfin's 19958 median price, Freddie Mac's Sept 24, 2026 rate, and a 0.32% Sussex County median effective tax rate. Homes inside Lewes city limits also pay city tax. Add your HOA, homeowners and flood insurance quotes. Estimate only; excludes PMI.
Get A Real Number For A Real HouseHow much of the city's housing is seasonal, and how exposed the ZIP is to flood, wind, heat and fire over the next 30 years.
Sources: 2020 U.S. Census via Wikipedia; First Street via Redfin 19958. Wildfire risk is under 1% of properties. Check FEMA flood maps and get an insurance quote for any specific address.
Whether you are buying a year-round home near Lewes Beach, listing a townhome off Route 1 or adding a rental near Cape Henlopen, I start the same way: I listen, pull the numbers for your exact street, and tell you plainly what they say.
My Services Include
I set up your search around the Lewes areas that fit your budget and the way you want to live, then give you an honest read on every house we see. Before any offer, I pull recent comps, check the flood zone on the FEMA map and confirm HOA rules. When we write, I negotiate price and terms with local data behind every number.
I price your home from the closed sales around it, not a ZIP-wide average. You get a written net sheet, a prep walkthrough and a launch timed to when coastal buyers are looking. Your listing goes to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and Homes.com with professional photography, and I review every offer's terms with you, not just the price.
Beach homes carry costs inland homes do not. I model the full picture before you offer: Sussex County and City of Lewes taxes, flood and wind insurance quotes, HOA dues and utility setup. I also connect you with the KW rental investment resources my team uses, so the numbers are real before you commit.
Moving from out of state, I become your eyes on the ground with live video tours and attended inspections, the same way I have helped military families buy while stationed far away. Staying put but curious, I prepare a written valuation from recent sales near your street so you know where you stand.
Not sure which fits? Tell me what you are weighing or call 302-983-4640.
Lewes buyers shop in waves: second-home buyers who toured over the summer, retirees planning a spring move, and out-of-state buyers searching from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. I build each listing plan around that calendar with staging advice, listing syndication and targeted social campaigns through my Facebook, Instagram and TikTok audiences, so your home reaches the buyer most likely to pay for what it offers.
See The Marketing PlanMost Lewes buyers meet your home on a phone screen, often from hours away. Every listing I take gets professional interior and exterior photography scheduled for the best natural light, so the rooms, the finishes and the setting come through clearly before anyone drives to the coast.
Local Market Expertise
Lewes sits where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, in eastern Sussex County. The city covers about 5.1 square miles, but a Lewes address in ZIP 19958 reaches west along Route 1 to Five Points and south along Gills Neck Road toward Rehoboth Beach. These six questions come up in nearly every first conversation. Hover or tap a card for the answer.
Neighborhoods
6 areas compared
Neighborhoods
Which Lewes areas should I look at first?
It depends on what you want to walk to. Historic Downtown Lewes puts you on Second Street and Savannah Road, Lewes Beach sits between the canal and the bay, and east of Route 1 Showfield, Senators, Governors and Hawkseye line Gills Neck Road near the Junction and Breakwater Trail.
The beach
Bay beach in town
The beach
How close are Lewes homes to the beach?
Lewes Beach is the town's own bay beach at the end of Savannah Road, with calmer water than the ocean. The Atlantic beaches are next door inside Cape Henlopen State Park, and the Junction and Breakwater Trail runs about 6 miles to Rehoboth Beach.
Schools
Cape Henlopen SD · #2 in DE
Schools
Which schools serve Lewes addresses?
Lewes is in the Cape Henlopen School District, which enrolled 6,654 students with a 12.53 student to teacher ratio in 2024 to 2025. Niche ranks it #2 among Delaware districts. Assignments follow the address, so I confirm each one with the state School Locator.
Prices
$588,745 median
Prices
What do homes in 19958 sell for right now?
The median sale price was $588,745 over the three months ending August 2026, down 5.8% from a year earlier. 306 homes sold, the median took 75 days, and sellers got 99.3% of list on average.
By the numbers
3,505 residents
By the numbers
What do the census numbers say about Lewes?
The city counts about 3,505 residents, a median age of 67.2 and a median household income of $96,393, with a median owner home value of $826,100. At the 2020 census, 45.8% of its 3,085 housing units were vacant, a count that includes seasonal and second homes.
Getting around
Rehoboth in 15 min
Getting around
How long is the drive from Lewes to the cities?
Off-peak, Rehoboth Beach is about 15 minutes away, Dover about 50, Wilmington about 1 hour 35 and Philadelphia International Airport about 2 hours. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry crosses to New Jersey in about 85 minutes.
Answers draw on Redfin, the Cape Henlopen School District, NCES, Niche, the U.S. Census and mapping estimates, as linked on each card. Drive times are off-peak estimates. Photography is representative, royalty-free imagery of coastal Delaware from Unsplash, not specific Lewes listings. Last updated .
Weekends here run on the bay beach, bike rides to Rehoboth and Saturday mornings at the farmers market. These are real places my clients use across Lewes and the Cape Region, most within a few minutes of Second Street.
The town's own beach on the Delaware Bay, at the end of Savannah Road across the canal. The water is calmer than the ocean side, and sunset over the bay is part of the evening routine.
Source: WikipediaNext door to town, with Atlantic beaches, dunes and the World War II observation towers of Fort Miles, built in 1941 to guard the mouth of the Delaware Bay.
Source: Delaware State ParksA flat, mostly off-road trail of about 6 miles between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, bordering communities like Senators. The Georgetown-Lewes Trail, opened in 2016, heads west.
Source: WikipediaWaterfront green space on the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal, a short walk from Second Street. Docked alongside is the Lightship Overfalls, one of nine surviving museum lightships in the U.S.
Source: WikipediaThe terminal sits just outside downtown. The crossing to North Cape May, New Jersey, covers about 17 miles in roughly 85 minutes, a popular day trip for Lewes residents.
Source: Cape May-Lewes FerryA producer-only market at George H.P. Smith Park on Saturday mornings from May through September, with a fall market that runs into December.
Source: Historic Lewes Farmers MarketA members-only, fenced off-leash dog park of about 4.5 acres inside Great Marsh Park off Park Road, with separate areas for large and small dogs.
Source: Lewes UnleashedShops, restaurants and the Zwaanendael Museum within a few walkable blocks, many in buildings inside the Lewes Historic District. Cannonball House still holds a British cannonball from 1813.
Source: WikipediaHours, fees and seasonal rules change. Check each link before you go.
Lewes is served by the Cape Henlopen School District, headquartered at 1270 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE 19958. It was created in 1969 by merging the Lewes, Milton and Rehoboth districts and enrolled 6,654 students in 2024 to 2025. Niche ranks it #2 of Delaware's districts. Boundaries were redrawn recently, so check any address with the district's School Locator.
School assignments and boundaries change. Confirm any address with the Cape Henlopen School District before you rely on it.
From most Lewes addresses, a short drive covers the whole list: the beach, a hospital, a full grocery run on Coastal Highway and a museum you can walk to downtown. Here is what sits closest, with sources.
Cape Henlopen State Park borders town with ocean beaches and Fort Miles. In the city, Canalfront Park, Great Marsh Park and George H.P. Smith Park sit minutes apart, and the Georgetown-Lewes Trail opened in 2016.
Source: Lewes, Delaware, accessedFood Lion (302-645-6933) and Redner's Fresh Market are in Lewes, and Coastal Highway adds Safeway at 19283, Giant on Lighthouse Plaza Blvd, ACME at 18578 and ALDI at 19563. Safeway has an in-store pharmacy.
Sources: YellowPages and Superpages listingsBeebe Healthcare was founded in Lewes in 1916 by Drs. James and Richard C. Beebe and marked its 100th anniversary in 2016. Its medical center on Savannah Road is the full-service hospital for the Cape Region.
Source: Lewes, Delaware, accessedThe Lewes Public Library anchors community programs, the Lewes Historical Society runs the Historic Lewestown Campus, and Lewes in Bloom won America in Bloom in 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2015.
Source: Lewes, Delaware, accessedSecond Street and Savannah Road hold most of it: Striper Bites at 107 Savannah Rd, Lewes Oyster House at 108 Second St and Notting Hill Coffee Roastery at 124 Second St. Fisherman's Wharf lines the canal.
Sources: Delaware Today and Lewes ChamberThe Zwaanendael Museum covers Delaware history, the Lightship Overfalls on the canal is one of nine surviving museum lightships in the U.S., and Cannonball House still holds a British cannonball from 1813.
Source: Lewes, Delaware, accessedA sampling of local places, not an exclusive list or paid placement. Hours change, so call ahead.
Delaware Route 1 (Coastal Highway) passes just outside town at Five Points, where it meets U.S. Route 9, DE 404, DE 23 and Plantation Road. Savannah Road, Kings Highway and New Road connect downtown to Route 1. North on Route 1 leads to Dover and Wilmington; US 9 and DE 404 head west toward Georgetown and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for Baltimore and Washington. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry carries US 9 across the bay to New Jersey.
| Destination | Distance | Typical Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal | 1.5 miles | 5 min |
| Rehoboth Beach | 7 miles | 15 min |
| Georgetown (Sussex County seat) | 17 miles | 25 min |
| Dover (state capital) | 43 miles | 50 min |
| Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY) | 45 miles | 60 min |
| Wilmington | 87 miles | 95 min |
| Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) | 110 miles | 120 min |
Approximate off-peak estimates from downtown Lewes using mapping tools, . Summer weekend traffic on Route 1 can add significant time. Ferry crossing time from Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
Lewes sits at the cape where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic, and much of its open space follows that shoreline. In 19958 that means a state park larger than the town itself, a bay beach at the end of Savannah Road and two rail trails you can ride for miles.
Sources: Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware (5.12 sq mi, converted at 640 acres per square mile), Gordons Pond overview, TrailLink and Lewes Unleashed, accessed .
Established as a state park in 1964, the park covers 5,193 acres of dunes, pine forest and beach on both the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay. William Penn declared its beaches public land in 1682, one of the earliest public lands in what became the United States.
Inside are the Fort Miles historic area and a restored World War II observation tower you can climb, a long fishing pier, campgrounds and about 10 miles of biking trails.
Sources: Cape Henlopen State Park and park overview, accessed .Running about 3 miles one way along the western edge of the 900-acre Gordons Pond, this crushed-stone path links Herring Point in the park with the Gordons Pond day-use area at the north end of Rehoboth Beach.
Its highlight is a section of elevated boardwalk over the salt marsh, with views of two of the concrete World War II towers along the coast.
Sources: Travel with Lolly and trail report.The Junction and Breakwater Trail runs about 6 miles along the park's western edge between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, bordering communities such as Senators and Hawkseye.
The Georgetown-Lewes Trail, opened in 2016, starts on Cape Henlopen Drive and now extends nearly 9 miles southwest toward its planned end in Georgetown.
Sources: Lewes, Delaware and TrailLink.In town, Lewes Beach is the calm bay beach at the end of Savannah Road, and Canalfront Park lines the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal beside the Lightship Overfalls. George H.P. Smith Park hosts the Historic Lewes Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May through September.
Great Marsh Park off Park Road is home to Lewes Unleashed, a members-only fenced dog park of about 4.5 acres with separate areas for large and small dogs. Cape Henlopen is also the eastern end of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail.
Sources: Lewes, Delaware, Lewes Unleashed, Historic Lewes Farmers Market and komoot trail guide.Lewes was a working port long before it was a beach town, and much of its story still stands within a few blocks of Second Street. Six moments that shaped the place you would be buying into, and what each one still means for a buyer today.
On June 3, 1631, Dutch settlers founded Zwaanendael, "Swan Valley," a whaling and trading post on the shore of the Delaware Bay. The colony lasted only until 1632, but it was the first European settlement in what became Delaware.
It is why Lewes calls itself the First Town in the First State. The Zwaanendael Museum on Kings Highway, a short walk from Second Street, tells the story today.
Arriving in 1682, William Penn renamed the Hoernkills settlement Lewes and the county Sussex, after the town and county in England. The same year he declared the beaches of Cape Henlopen public land.
Lewes remained the county seat until 1791, when it moved to Georgetown. That is why Sussex County tax, deed and permit offices are about 25 minutes west of town today.
On April 6 and 7, 1813, Royal Navy ships led by HMS Poictiers bombarded Lewes after the town refused to supply them. The shelling did little damage.
A British cannonball is still lodged in the foundation of Cannonball House on Front Street, now a maritime museum in the historic district.
Construction of the Delaware Breakwater off Cape Henlopen began in 1828, creating a protected anchorage for ships waiting to enter the bay. The offshore National Harbor of Refuge and its Harbor of Refuge Light followed.
The breakwaters are one reason the water at Lewes Beach is calmer than the ocean side, and the Harbor of Refuge Light is still part of the view from the bay beach.
The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse, a landmark at the cape since colonial times, collapsed into the sea on April 13, 1926 after years of beach erosion undermined it.
Shifting sand is still a fact of life here. First Street rates about 28% of 19958 properties at severe flood risk, which is why I pull the flood zone and an insurance quote for every coastal home.
In 1941 the U.S. Army built Fort Miles on Cape Henlopen to defend the bay, its refineries and Philadelphia, with gun batteries and concrete observation towers along the coast. It closed in 1991 and was deeded to the State of Delaware.
The land became Cape Henlopen State Park, now 5,193 acres of public beach and trail next door to downtown. You can still climb a restored WWII tower for a view of the whole cape.
Downtown Lewes packs its restaurants and independent shops into a few walkable blocks of Second Street and Savannah Road, with the canal and Fisherman's Wharf a short stroll away. For big-box errands and outlet shopping, Coastal Highway toward Rehoboth Beach covers the rest.
A cottage-style nautical bistro a block from the canal, with fresh seafood, burgers and a patio. Lunch runs 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 4 p.m., with happy hour daily.
Upscale farm-to-table cooking with artful plating, served in a white Victorian house on Savannah Road. A favorite for anniversaries and closing-day dinners.
Regional Mexican cooking with an emphasis on local seafood and a deep tequila list. Regulars order the homemade guacamole.
A Second Street raw bar and seafood spot in the middle of the downtown shopping blocks, steps from the canal.
A downtown pub on Second Street, an easy stop for a casual dinner after an afternoon at Lewes Beach.
Shares its space with the Lewes Bake Shoppe, serving espresso, breakfast sandwiches and pastries every day on Second Street.
A Second Street bookstore for used books, rare finds, art and gifts, one of the most reviewed shops downtown.
Saturdays from May 2 to September 26, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon, then a fall market from October 3 to December 5. Farmers sell directly to shoppers.
Brand-name outlet shopping on Coastal Highway, about 15 minutes from downtown Lewes. Delaware has no sales tax.
Handcrafted souvenirs and gifts on Second Street, handy for a hostess gift or a first-weekend welcome basket.
An independent boutique on Second Street, part of the cluster of shops between Savannah Road and the canal.
The walkable heart of downtown Lewes, where boutiques, galleries, restaurants and the Zwaanendael Museum sit within a few blocks.
A sampling of well-regarded local spots, not an exclusive list or paid placement.
These are the practical questions buyers ask once the tour is over. Lewes is unusual: inside the service area, one city-owned utility handles your electric, water and sewer. Rates and programs change, so verify current figures with each office before you budget.
Sussex County bills county and school taxes together; about 10% of a typical residential bill is county tax and most of the rest funds the school district. Homes inside city limits also pay City of Lewes tax. County billing: (302) 855-7871. City Hall: 302-645-7777.
Source: WGMD, Sussex County noticeOwners 65 and older can apply for Delaware's Senior School Property Tax Credit, with a statewide deadline of April 30. There is also a Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit and a Sussex County property tax subsidy program.
Source: Sussex County property tax summaryThe tax year runs July 1 to June 30. Bills go out in August and are due September 30; unpaid balances accrue monthly interest. Escrowed bills go to your lender. Sussex County Treasury: (302) 855-7760.
Source: Sussex County Tax FAQThe Lewes Board of Public Works, 107 Franklin Avenue, has provided electric since 1901 and serves about 4,200 customers: 302-645-6228. Outside its area, Delmarva Power or Delaware Electric Cooperative serves. Gas: Chesapeake Utilities.
Sources: Lewes BPW and Lewes, DelawareInside its service area, the Lewes BPW supplies water and sewer together as a combined service; customer service runs weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 302-645-6228. Elsewhere, Sussex County sewer and water fees appear on the county tax bill where they apply.
Sources: Lewes BPW and WGMDInside city limits, the City of Lewes handles trash cans, trash removal, recycling and yard waste, along with street cleaning and snow removal. Call City Hall at 302-645-7777. Outside the city, service is usually arranged with a private hauler.
Source: Lewes BPW FAQLast updated: . Always confirm current rates, schedules and provider details directly.
You will always know where things stand. I explain each step in plain language and answer the same day, whether you are local or six states away.
Promise · 01
Every price and recommendation comes with the comps, the flood zone and the tax numbers behind it, so your decisions rest on data.
Promise · 02
Closing is not the finish line. I want to be your agent for life, the first call for your next move, a contractor referral or a quick value check.
Promise · 03It should feel steady. Buying or selling near the beach brings extra moving parts, from flood insurance to seasonal traffic to out-of-state paperwork, and my job is to keep all of them in view so you do not have to. I build a plan with you, check in before you have to ask, and tell you plainly when something does not add up.
For sellers, that means a researched price, a launch timed to the Lewes calendar and a clear view of your net proceeds. For buyers, it means an honest read on every house and firm negotiation once you choose.
Let's Talk About Your MoveFour stages from the first conversation to the closing table. Each one starts only when you are ready, and each comes with a clear plan in writing.
First conversation
Call, text or send the form. I listen to what you want and when, with no pressure. If now is not the right moment, I will tell you so.
You getA straight answer on timing
Before we tour
A lender introduction and a search plan with a real monthly budget, taxes, insurance and HOA included. We map the Lewes areas that fit.
You getA written search plan and budget
In the market
In person or by live video, I give you an honest read on each home, then pull comps before every offer and negotiate with you.
You getA comp review before every offer
Under contract to keys
Inspections, appraisal and settlement with a Delaware attorney, with me tracking every deadline. After closing, I stay in touch.
You getDeadline tracking through settlement
First conversation
Call, text or send the form. I listen to your timing and goals and tell you honestly whether listing now makes sense.
You getA straight answer on timing
Before we list
Pricing from recent Lewes sales near you, a room-by-room prep walkthrough and a launch date timed to buyer demand.
You getA written net sheet and plan
On the market
Professional photos, then Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin and Homes.com. We compare every offer's terms side by side.
You getA side-by-side offer comparison
Under contract to keys
Inspection responses, appraisal and settlement, with me tracking every deadline. After closing, I stay in touch.
You getDeadline tracking through settlement
Fifteen questions I hear from buyers and sellers, answered the way I would answer them on the phone.
There is no official ranking of Lewes real estate agents, so the best agent is the one who knows the coastal details that change your costs: flood zones, Lewes Board of Public Works utilities, HOA rules east of Route 1 and Sussex County taxes. I am Jim Arcidiacono, a REALTOR® with KW Empower licensed in Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
My career includes 200 units and $75 million in volume, plus Keller Williams Market Center Rookie of the Year and Market Center MVP 2025 recognition. Interview two or three agents and ask each for recent Lewes comps on a home you like.
Buying in Lewes follows the standard Delaware process: get pre-approved, tour homes, write an offer with contingencies, complete inspections and appraisal, and settle with a Delaware attorney. A contingency is a condition, such as a satisfactory inspection, that lets you cancel without losing your deposit. Most purchases take 30 to 45 days from contract to settlement.
Near the water, I add a FEMA flood zone check and an early insurance quote to every search. Deposits and documents are held in escrow, meaning by a neutral party, until settlement.
The best price in Lewes comes from pricing against recent comparable sales, called comps, near your street, then launching with professional photos and wide syndication when coastal buyers are shopping. In ZIP 19958, 34.2% of listings took a price drop over the three months ending August 2026, so the launch price matters more than anything else.
I prepare a written net sheet before we list so you know your proceeds, and I review every offer's terms with you, including contingencies and settlement dates.
Lewes 19958 is a somewhat competitive market, with a Redfin Compete Score of 43 out of 100 in August 2026. The median home sold in 75 days at 99.3% of list, and only 14.8% sold above asking, which gives prepared buyers more room to negotiate than they had a few years ago.
The median sale price was $588,745, down 5.8% from a year earlier, while the number of sales held flat at 306. Timing still depends on your rate, budget and how long you plan to stay.
Delaware charges a realty transfer tax of up to 4% of the sale price at settlement, customarily split between buyer and seller, and first-time buyers may qualify for a reduced state share. Other costs include lender fees, title insurance, settlement attorney fees and prorated taxes. Real estate commissions are fully negotiable.
Delaware has no sales tax, which helps with furnishing a new home. I give buyers a cost estimate and sellers a net sheet before any contract is signed.
Lewes addresses are served by the Cape Henlopen School District, headquartered at 1270 Kings Highway, with 6,654 students in 2024 to 2025. Cape Henlopen High School at 1250 Kings Highway is the district's comprehensive high school, and Beacon Middle School and Lewes Elementary School are also in Lewes.
Boundaries have been redrawn recently, so confirm any address with the district's School Locator. Niche ranks the district #2 in Delaware.
Yes, and many Lewes buyers do. I run live video tours, attend inspections on your behalf and coordinate with your lender and settlement attorney so you can buy from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington or farther away. One client moved from 700 miles away using weekend and virtual tours, and another bought while stationed in Alaska with the military.
For second homes, I also help you budget for flood and wind insurance, HOA dues and utility setup with the Lewes Board of Public Works or Delmarva Power.
First-time buyers in Delaware commonly use conventional loans with as little as 3% down, FHA loans with 3.5% down, VA loans for eligible veterans with no down payment, and assistance programs through the Delaware State Housing Authority. First-time buyers may also qualify for a reduced state share of the realty transfer tax.
Get pre-approved before you tour so your budget includes taxes, insurance and any HOA dues. I can introduce you to local lenders who know these programs.
Lenders require flood insurance for homes in a FEMA special flood hazard area, and many Lewes buyers carry it even when it is optional. First Street rates about 28% of properties in ZIP 19958, or 2,833 homes, at severe flood risk over the next 30 years, so flood risk is a real factor in this market.
Check the FEMA flood map and get an insurance quote during your inspection period, before you are committed. I flag the flood zone for every home we consider.
Showfield sits along Gills Neck Road within about a half mile of Lewes Beach, Cape Henlopen State Park and downtown restaurants and shops, so most trips to Second Street take about 5 minutes by car. Many residents walk or bike, and the Junction and Breakwater Trail nearby connects to Rehoboth Beach.
Summer weekends slow traffic near Savannah Road and Kings Highway, so allow extra time in July and August.
Yes. Lewes Unleashed is a members-only, fenced off-leash dog park of about 4.5 acres inside Great Marsh Park off Park Road in Lewes, with separate areas for large and small dogs. Membership has been about $60 a year. Some beaches inside Cape Henlopen State Park also allow leashed dogs.
Beach dog rules change by season, so check current state park rules before you go.
Grocery stores near Five Points and Route 1 include Food Lion and Redner's Fresh Market in Lewes, plus Safeway at 19283 Coastal Highway, Giant on Lighthouse Plaza Boulevard, ACME at 18578 Coastal Highway and ALDI at 19563 Coastal Highway toward Rehoboth Beach. Safeway has an in-store pharmacy.
From May through September, the Historic Lewes Farmers Market at George H.P. Smith Park adds local produce on Saturday mornings.
The Junction and Breakwater Trail borders Senators, connecting to downtown Lewes and running about 6 miles to Rehoboth Beach. Cape Henlopen State Park, with its ocean beaches and Fort Miles, is minutes away, and Lewes Beach on the Delaware Bay is a short drive or bike ride from the community.
In town, Canalfront Park, Great Marsh Park and George H.P. Smith Park round out the options.
Downtown Lewes restaurants cluster on Second Street and Savannah Road. Options include Striper Bites at 107 Savannah Road, Heirloom at 212 Savannah Road, Agave Mexican Restaurant at 137 Second Street, Lewes Oyster House at 108 Second Street, Rose and Crown at 142 Second Street and Notting Hill Coffee Roastery at 124 Second Street.
Fisherman's Wharf along the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal adds waterside dining in season.
Philadelphia International Airport is about 110 miles from Lewes, roughly 2 hours by car off-peak, heading north on Delaware Route 1 and then Interstate 95. Salisbury Regional Airport is closer at about 45 miles, roughly an hour, and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry connects to New Jersey in about 85 minutes.
Summer weekend traffic on Route 1 can add significant time, so plan airport runs early.
Call, text or send the form. I answer my own phone. Whether you plan to move in three weeks or three years, an early conversation costs nothing and usually saves money later.
Moving To Lewes, Delaware 19958: The Home Buyer Guide
Check your downloads folder. Questions in the meantime? Call or text Jim at 302-983-4640.
Brokerage office
KW Empower
111 Continental Drive Ste. 305, Newark, DE 19713
Office hours
By appointment, seven days a week
Licensed
DE RS-0025567 · PA RS-348119 · MD 5001082 · Equal Housing Opportunity
