North Carolina Real Estate For Sale

While the rest of the country faces a decrease in the demand for housing, North Carolina's real estate market remains hot. Even better, North Carolina real estate is relatively inexpensive compared to the rest of the United States. The median house price in the country is around $420k, while the median price of homes for sale in North Carolina is around $390k. Some cities and counties in the state are more expensive and more competitive than others. 

Regardless of where you choose to live or buy real estate in North Carolina, you will live in a place surrounded by beauty and kind people. The state's natural resources include white-sand beaches, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, whitewater rafting on its many rivers, and so much more. Meanwhile, its cities, some of the largest in the country, are some of the most diverse, cosmopolitan, and interesting in the entire United States while having the benefit of being lesser known and thus less crowded than other metropolitan areas.

Wake County, home to Raleigh and Apex, among other smaller metropolitan areas, is a little more expensive than the country average, with a median price of $425k. This county is the most populous in the state, and Raleigh, the state capital, is the second-most populous city. Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle metropolitan area, including Durham and Chapel Hill. These three cities contain North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each university is globally famous for its contribution to research, especially in the sciences.

People are also willing to pay a little extra to live in the exciting city of Asheville, North Carolina. Real estate here tends to skew a little higher due to its mild weather all year long, proximity to important places such as the Biltmore, and trendy art scene. Homes in Asheville sell at a median price of $485k. Homes tend to be newer and are often imbued with the same artsy vibe as the rest of the city.

On the other hand, some areas of North Carolina offer more affordable real estate opportunities. One example is Durham, another smaller part of the Research Triangle, where the real estate market is more modest. Homes for sale in Durham, North Carolina sell for around $380k. Winston-Salem, the fourth-most populous in the state, is an even more inexpensive option. It is the seat of Forsyth County, and the median price is $289k. These homes tend to be newer construction. Winston-Salem offers a cost of living that is significantly lower than the rest of the country, allowing those who move there to experience more of the attractions North Carolina offers, such as its state parks and historical sites. Forsyth County is in the state's northwest area, at the outer edges of the Appalachian Mountains. Winston-Salem is the largest municipality in the county, and its West End and Ardmore neighborhoods are especially popular.

The Research Triangle boasts the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district, recognized as the best district in the state for K-12 education. It has a 91% graduation rate for its high schoolers, and students consistently perform above the state average in proficiency for both math and reading. It has a 14:1 teacher-student ratio. The three high schools in the district have each appeared in the top 100 schools list from USNews, although Carrboro High School is the only one still on the list, coming in at number 10.

Parents looking to send their children to an excellent elementary school should pay special attention to real estate trends in Winston-Salem. Both Clemmons Elementary School and Meadowlark Elementary School are the top-rated K-5 schools in the state, with test scores, student progress, teacher efficacy, and teacher-student ratios all significantly above the state average. 

Middle school takes up the smallest chunk of children's school careers, but ensuring your child has a great middle school education can help benefit them in high school and beyond. One such option is Hickory Ridge Middle School in Harrisburg, NC, a suburb of Charlotte, NC, in the southwest part of the state. The Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area and the Guilford County School District also boast their fair share of excellent public school options for sixth through eighth-graders.

The city of Greensboro in the western part of the state has several of the best-rated high schools in the state. Among these are The Early College at Guilford, STEM Early College at N.C. A&T, and the Philip J. Weaver Ed Center. All three high schools have high graduation rates, with more than half of students participating in Advanced Placement courses or in courses that will allow them to earn college credit while in high school. The Early College at Guilford is distinguished among schools in the entire country and has been rated as the #2 best STEM high school in the United States. 

North Carolina real estate has access to the region's most important academic hub among the southeastern states. Duke University and the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill are ranked among the best universities and colleges in the United States and the world. Duke is one of the ten largest research universities in the United States and where massive scientific breakthroughs have occurred.

North Carolina universities are athletic powerhouses as well as academic ones. There are at least 17 NCAA Division 1 schools, including The University at North Carolina - Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill's team, the North Carolina Tar Heels, has won 47 NCAA Division 1 championships in seven different sports.

North Carolina real estate offers so many choices that it can be difficult to know the right answer to this question! It really depends on what you are looking for. Families with younger children will prefer the suburbs of Raleigh, including Morrisville, Cary, and Apex. These suburbs have a small-town feel that will make your family feel safe and welcome but have all the resources of a larger city.

Single adults, especially those in their twenties and thirties, may prefer to buy real estate in Charlotte, the largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. This city has been notable for being one of the fastest-growing in the country, and young professionals have been flocking to it as it has been transformed into a center for financial institutions, among other expanding industries in the city.

Older people and retirees are more likely to enjoy Asheville as the city where they settle down. Its proximity to the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway and its artsy, creative culture come together as a welcoming and dynamic place to experience the twilight years.

One great reason to look into North Carolina real estate is the diversity of the jobs it offers. There are at least ten key industries that employ thousands, and North Carolina is some of the world's largest corporate headquarters. Duke University is the state's 2nd largest employer, after Walmart. You can also find jobs in aerospace and defense, biotechnology, information technology, textiles, energy, and tourism.

The Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT) is the largest airport in North Carolina. Most people fly through there or the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). For a smaller airport experience, some people choose to take commercial flights into and out of the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO), located west of Greensboro.

Arguably the most famous landmark in North Carolina is the Biltmore, a Gilded Age era estate near Asheville known for being the largest home in the country. The Biltmore is a National Historic Landmark site offering stunning architecture, enormous gardens, fine dining, and excellent accommodations for those who stay at its 4-star inn.

North Carolina citizens cherish the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, located in downtown Raleigh. This museum is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. It contains interactive galleries, as well as live animals, huge dinosaur skeletons, and special exhibits throughout the year.

Outdoorsy types may prefer the natural gems hidden throughout the state, particularly the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway is a 436-mile swath of the state that includes the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. Adventurers love this area and its stunning mountain and waterfall views for hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. 

Beachcombers, on the other hand, may prefer the pristine and quiet beaches along North Carolina's coast, such as the family-friendly Emerald Isle or the gorgeous Bald Head Island. While North Carolina's beaches may not be as famous as those further up and down the coast in neighboring South Carolina or Virginia, they provide similar havens of relaxation and fun.

Law in North Carolina states that traditional schools may begin no earlier than August 26th and end no later than June 11th.