Kent County, Delaware
Buying a home near Dover Air Force Base
Dover Air Force Base sits just southeast of Delaware’s capital, and several Kent County towns are within an easy drive. If you have a base commute, start with the drive and work outward. Here is how the towns around the base compare and what to know if you are buying with a VA loan.
The towns around the base
| Town | Where it sits | Main roads | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | The capital, just northwest of the base | Route 1, US-13 (DuPont Highway), Route 8 | Dover |
| Camden and Wyoming | Just south and west of Dover, close to the base | US-13, Route 10, Route 1 nearby | Camden |
| Magnolia | South of Dover; the base is close | US-13, Route 1 nearby | Magnolia |
| Smyrna | North, on the New Castle and Kent county line | Route 1, US-13, Route 300 | Smyrna |
| Milford | South, on the Kent and Sussex county line | Route 1, US-113 | Milford |
Dover has older homes near the Green and downtown, townhomes and single-family communities on the north and west sides, and newer builds still opening. Camden and Wyoming have older town centers with mature trees, and newer subdivisions and country lots around them. Magnolia is a small town surrounded by farmland, with single-family homes on larger lots and many properties on a well and septic system. Smyrna and Milford each sit on a county line, so taxes and services follow the exact address.
Drive the route at the hour you would actually commute before you choose. Route 1 and US-13 carry most of the traffic in and out of Dover.
New homes near the base
Several builders are selling new communities in Kent County. Prices, incentives and available homes change often, so we check the current details with each builder before you visit. A builder’s starting price is for the base home; lot premiums and options are added.
Bring your own agent on your first visit to any model home; some builders require it to work with your agent later.
Buying with a VA loan
A VA loan can let eligible buyers with full entitlement purchase with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. The VA appraisal also checks the home against the VA’s minimum property requirements, so homes in good repair move through faster. Read the full guide: buying a home in Delaware with a VA loan. If this is your first purchase, the first-time home buyer guide for Delaware walks through every step.
Buying on a timeline
If you are arriving on a set date, a few things help:
- Get pre-approved before you arrive, with a lender who closes VA and other loans often.
- Narrow the list early. Send us your must-haves and we send matching homes as they hit the market, so you arrive with a short list.
- Ask about settlement dates early. New builds can take months; resale homes and builder quick move-in homes can close on a normal financed timeline.
- Think about later. If you may move again in a few years, ask how the home might resell, and what owning it from a distance would involve.
Wells, septic and country lots
Outside town limits, many Kent County homes use a private well and septic system. Those homes have extra inspection steps before settlement. See buying a house with a well and septic in Kent County.
Frequently asked questions
Which towns are closest to Dover Air Force Base?
Dover, Camden and Wyoming, and Magnolia are all close to the base. Smyrna to the north and Milford to the south are a longer but straightforward drive on Route 1 or US-13.
Can I buy a home near Dover Air Force Base with a VA loan?
Yes, if you are eligible. VA loans work for resale homes and for new construction, as long as the home meets the VA’s minimum property requirements and appraises.
Are there new construction homes near the base?
Yes. Several builders are selling new communities in Kent County. Prices and available homes change often, so we confirm the current details with each builder before you visit.
Ready to start looking?
Tell us what you want in a home and where. We send matching homes as they hit the market and help you plan the costs. No pressure and no obligation.
Related guides
- Buying a house with a well and septic system in Kent County, DE
- What buyers pay at closing in Delaware
- Dover, DE area guide
- Camden, DE area guide
- Magnolia, DE area guide
- Smyrna, DE area guide
- Milford, DE area guide
- First-time home buyer guide for Delaware
- Buying a home in Delaware with a VA loan
- Already own a home? Get a free home value
- Selling first? How we sell a home, step by step
The Key Group of Real Broker LLC · Jordan Brown with Real · Brokerage 855-450-0442 · Equal Housing Opportunity.
This page is general information, not legal, tax or loan advice. Talk to your settlement attorney, lender or tax advisor about your own purchase.
Last updated November 2026. General information only; your settlement attorney or title company will confirm taxes and costs for your purchase.