Mariners Retreat

Every home in Mariners Retreat was custom built, so no two are the same.
Who built them: the community was developed by Randy Burton of Burton Builders, and buyers could bring their own builder within the architectural guidelines. At least one home was built by Russ Palmer Builders.
Design: homes on the Fourth Street side follow a historic Lewes look, and the rear section has a modern farmhouse look.
Size: listings we have seen run about 3,400 to 3,850 square feet, with four bedrooms.
Recent prices: a home on Virden Way sold for $2,695,000 in July 2023. Prices vary widely with size and finish.
Garages: listings show attached two-car garages.
The size and finish of any home is on its listing, and we will pull it for you.

There is no clubhouse, pool or golf course. The amenities are the land and the walkability.
Walking path: a paved, lighted path runs through the wetlands and links the sections of the community.
Path to Highland Acres: a second path connects Seagull Drive to Sussex Drive in Highland Acres next door.
Streets: sidewalks and streetlights throughout.
Open space: wooded wetlands between the three cul-de-sacs.

Mariners Retreat has two separate street entrances, and that is worth knowing before you tour.
Fourth Street side: 20 homesites enter from Fourth Street.
Seagull Drive side: 14 homesites enter from Seagull Drive.
How they connect: the two sides are joined only by the pedestrian path through the wetlands. There is no road between them, so driving from one side to the other means going back out through town.
Who maintains the path: the homeowners association controls the internal path once the community is complete.
Tell us which side you are looking at and we will show you how it sits relative to downtown.

Mariners Retreat is inside the City of Lewes, a short walk from the historic downtown.
Downtown: Second Street and the canal are less than a quarter mile away.
Beaches: Lewes Beach and Cape Henlopen State Park are within two miles.
Health care: Beebe's main hospital on Savannah Road in Lewes is about a mile away.
Everyday errands: Weis Markets and Redner's Fresh Market are off Route 1 in Lewes, a short drive.
Schools: Cape Henlopen School District. Confirm school assignments with the district for any specific address.

Mariners Retreat has its own homeowners association, with an architectural review committee for new building and changes.
Recent figures: 2023 and 2025 listings show the HOA fee at $750 a year, including management.
What it covers: the common areas, the wetlands open space and the walking path. Lawn care is not shown as included on the listings we have seen.
Architectural review: exterior changes go through the community's architectural guidelines.
Fees change. We will get the current figure and the governing documents for any home you are considering.

The practical details of owning here.
Utilities: inside the City of Lewes, water, sewer and electric are served through the Lewes Board of Public Works. Listings show natural gas as well. Confirm the providers for the specific home.
Lots: your own lot, about a quarter to a third of an acre.
Maintenance: the owner maintains the home and yard.
Walkability: you can walk to downtown Lewes and bike to the beach.
Ask us for the HOA rules before you write an offer.

Read this first: Active Adults Realty is not a tax, legal or financial advisor and nothing below is advice. Confirm every figure with your own tax professional, with Sussex County and with the City of Lewes before you rely on it.
The state picture: Delaware has no state sales tax, no estate tax and no inheritance tax, and Social Security is not taxed.
The local picture: Mariners Retreat is inside the City of Lewes, so the tax bill is county and school tax plus a City of Lewes property tax. Sussex County reassessed every property recently, so older tax figures on a listing may not reflect what you will pay.
Call 302-549-5164 and we will pull the recorded figures for the specific home you are considering.