Experts to take deep dive into Cape May County housing market

Just how hot is Cape May County’s housing market? Will it stay hot?

Real estate experts will analyze trends in the marketplace and the broader impacts on the local economy during a panel discussion sponsored by the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber is inviting real estate professionals, industry partners and community stakeholders to attend the panel discussion, “Cape May County Real Estate: Continuing the Conversation: Realtor Insights on Today’s Market,” on May 7 at The Grand Hotel in Cape May.

For the second straight year, the event will bring together real estate professionals to share insights on current market conditions, emerging trends and the factors shaping homeownership in New Jersey, the Chamber said.

“Building on the success of last year’s discussion, the panel offers updated analysis and expert perspectives on housing, lending, and consumer behavior, helping to foster informed conversations and confident decision-making.” the Chamber said in a news release.

Cape May County’s housing market, particularly in the shore communities, has been strong ever since the COVID-19 pandemic sent demand and prices soaring.

The latest Zillow data, reported Thursday by NJ.com, shows some of the Cape May County beach towns in the top levels of housing values in New Jersey.

For instance, Avalon has the third-highest housing value in the state at an average of nearly $2.7 million, although that is down slightly from the same period in 2025.

Stone Harbor is No. 4 in the state with an average housing value of a little more than $2.5 million, up 6 percent compared to the same period in 2025.

    Upscale homes are a hallmark of many of Sea Isle City's neighborhoods.
  

Strathmere, Cape May Point and Sea Isle City are also within the top 25 highest housing values in the state, generally from about $1.4 million to $1.5 million, according to Zillow. All three towns have showed strong gains in housing values so far in 2026, compared to the same period in 2025.

Ocean City is another Cape May County town with million-dollar values, coming in at nearly $1.1 million in 2026, a 3.5 percent increase over the same period in 2025.

The Chamber’s panel discussion will examine whether those upward trends will continue in Cape May County through 2026, how the housing market is evolving and its broader impact on the local economy, including jobs, spending, and workforce stability.

The discussion will continue the expert panel’s tradition of delivering professional, grounded expertise while highlighting both the opportunities and challenges within today’s ever-changing market, the Chamber said.

Panelists will include Dutch Dechert, broker-owner of Ferguson Dechert Real Estate, Rachel Mammele, broker-associate at Freda Real Estate, Kathleen Satt, broker-associate at deSatnick Real Estate, and Micah Yerk, managing broker at deSatnick Real Estate. The moderator will be Patricia Gray Hendricks, president of the Cape May County Association of Realtors.

Barbara Stafford Jones, president of the Chamber of Commerce, characterized the county’s housing market as “constantly evolving.” She noted that the panel discussion will help real estate professionals and others to keep abreast of the changes.

“The market plays a vital role in the strength of our local economy and bringing together experienced professionals to share insight and perspective helps ensure our business community remains informed, prepared, and confident in the decisions ahead,” Stafford Jones said.

Tickets are $10 per person with all proceeds donated to the Cape May County Chamber Education Foundation, supporting scholarships and professional development programs for local students and residents.

Pre-paid registration is required. The Grand Hotel is located at 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May. Check-in and a light breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. with the panel discussion following at 9 a.m. Visit www.CapeMayCountyChamber.com/RealEstate to register and for more information.