Home Buying in Raleigh

Lucy and I are excited to be partnering with Zillow today to talk about real estate in the Raleigh area. As recent home owners, both of us have experienced how quickly the Triangle housing market moves.  Depending on where you want to live, you may have as little as a few hours to place an offer on a house before it is off the market.  Popular suburbs like Cary have very little new construction, so the real estate market for older homes is just as aggressive as for newer ones here.  One or two days is a normal listing time before a home is sold if you are looking in the $300k or less range. Because Raleigh is growing so rapidly, having a great real estate agent is key (Eddie Cash for the win!) but you really need to take the home shopping process into your own hands and that's where Zillow is your new best friend.  You can filter homes for particular areas, price points, school zones, and even number of bathrooms.  I found our current home for sale on Zillow, and I'm so happy that I caught it that day because by the time we toured there was already an offer on the house we had to compete with. So in a speedy market like Raleigh's, empower yourself with Zillow's search features and and be ready to move in fast when you've found the one!

Want to know more about the housing styles you can expect in the Raleigh area? Zillow has provided the following post for you East Meets South readers to learn more:

5 Architectural Home Styles You Can Find in Raleigh
By Miriam Bornstein of Zillow                               

Raleigh’s eclectic mix of architecture offers home designs for shoppers of all walks of life. Because the city's architecture varies by neighborhood, you may fall in love with homes in one community but feel disappointed with inventory in a nearby area. If you’re shopping for a home in Raleigh, don’t get discouraged by the vast array of home styles – focus on the plethora of options.

Below are five of Raleigh's most popular home architectural styles.

Craftsman/Bungalow

Source: Brookstone Builders of Zillow Digs™

Craftsman-style homes are known for their elegant simplicity and handcrafted features. These homes are characterized by clean, straight lines, oversized windows and mullion work on windows, porches and terraces. Mullion work is a decorative accent that creates a division between units of a window, door or screen. You can also distinguish Craftsman houses by their transitions to outdoor living, incorporating large decks, recessed porches or terraces with wide overhangs for a shady hangout. When it comes to building materials, most Craftsman-style homes are built from natural materials, such as stone, cedar and wooden lap siding. Craftsmans are most popular in Boylan Heights, Mordecai and Five Points.

Cape Cod

Source: John Willey of Zillow Digs™

If you've ever envisioned living in a house with a white picket fence, you've most likely envisioned living in a Cape Cod. Originally built along the East Coast to withstand the region’s stormy weather, these homes are becoming increasingly popular due to their historical charm and timeless appearance. The exterior of a Cape Cod is distinct, showcasing symmetrical shingles and windows, a central chimney, end gables and a steep-pitched roof. The Brentwood and Country Club Hills neighborhoods feature many traditional Cape Cods.

Modern

Source: ccarchitecture of Zillow Digs™

Modern houses are easy to spot with their contemporary architecture and stark living spaces. Breaking away from traditional aesthetics, modern houses are characterized by their boxy exteriors, flat roofs and industrial building materials, such as metal, concrete and stone. Most modern houses include large window groupings and bare walls. Gaining popularity after World War II, The Triangle holds the third largest concentration of modern-style homes after Los Angeles and Chicago.

Victorian

Source: Joe Paul Reider of Zillow Digs™

Have you seen those homes that resemble sophisticated dollhouses? Victorian-styled homes are known for their detailed exterior, elegant turrets and textured shingles, like dollhouses. Many Victorian houses also feature steep, multifaceted roofs, wraparound porches and vibrant colors such as yellow, green and blue. Victorian homes are among the most popular style of homes in Raleigh and are prevalent in neighborhoods such as Oakwood and Boylan Heights. In fact, Oakwood is famous for representing the only intact 19th century neighborhood in Raleigh, making it the first area in the city to be listed in the National Register.

Ranch

Source: DetailsADesignFirm of Zillow Digs™  

Originating in the 1920s, ranch-style homes are well-known for having low roof lines, asymmetrical design and attached garages to display America's increased use of automobiles. Sliding glass doors, that lead out to a private patio or backyard, are also common and are a direct contrast to the large front or side porches that were prevalent during the late 19^th and 20^th century. With an emphasis on openness, one sure way to differentiate a ranch-style home from the rest is by their long, single-story frames and exterior materials of brick, wood or stucco. Other key giveaways include minimal ornamentation and large, overhanging eaves. You can find ranch-style homes in Cameron Village, Wilmont and Highland Creek, to name a few.

No matter where you decide to settle your roots, Raleigh is sure to offer you a home that reflects individual taste and differences in architectural styles. Whether you're living in historic Oakwood, trendy Fallon Park or residential Cameron Village, you're sure to find a house that best fits your needs.