STRETCHING OUT

stretchingout the search for homes with large lots near metropolitan amenities may be shorter than you think BY SPENCER GRIFFITH

It’s no secret Wake County’s real estate market is red-hot, setting records seemingly on a monthly basis. As condo, townhome and cottage court developments continue to sprout up in downtown Raleigh and Western Wake, some homebuyers are looking elsewhere. These discriminating house hunters prefer the best of both worlds: neighborhoods away from city centers that offer new homes on large lots with increased privacy, a sense of natural serenity and room to stretch out.

“We’re finding that a lot of buyers are willing to drive a little bit further to not have to make a sacrifice on the type of house they’re getting,” says Gretchen Coley, founder of The Coley Group in Raleigh. She has seen increased interest in areas like Clayton, Fuquay-Varina and northern Harnett County.

“People in Raleigh have traditionally lived in planned unit developments with smaller lots because they want the amenities that come with those neighborhoods—the convenience of the grocery store, or a Target or Walmart [nearby], along with activities for their kids,” she says. But over time, some of those same families begin yearning for an expansive retreat—with more room to entertain guests and a bigger yard for children to play in.

Due to expensive renovations and potentially long wait times for completing them (caused by the current supply chain issues and labor shortages), Coley believes buyers who may have otherwise decided to update their homes now see the appeal of choosing new construction. “The choice becomes very easy when someone starts running the numbers and the only place they can get a brand-new house on an acre lot in the $550,000s is just across the [Wake] county line in Harnett County.”

MODERN COMFORT IN THE COUNTRY

Prince Place, a new development with a Fuquay-Varina address, offers homes starting in the $390,000s less than 5 miles from the Wake County line in Harnett County. Prince Place features wooded lots up to an acre in size on what was formerly a family farm—and the neighborhood is just minutes from Fuquay-Varina’s revitalized historic Fuquay and Varina districts.

The Coley Group represents Halcyon Homes, one of three custom homebuilders in the neighborhood crafting homes with a modern, livable aesthetic that is comfortable and warm. Halcyon Homes also incorporates a variety of natural materials into a home’s overall design, such as cedar accents or reclaimed wood from nearby tobacco barns. “When you can pick anything from anywhere, having a designer to help pull it all together creates an aesthetic where you can see and feel the difference,” Coley says.

BIG LOTS NEAR THE CITY

Buyers seeking spacious homes on large lots near big-city amenities don’t have to travel far to find them. North Raleigh’s Shadow Creek Estates offers homesites averaging 1.25 acres just off Durant Road between Six Forks and Falls of Neuse roads. Shadow Creek Estates offers the best of both worlds: secluded properties just minutes away from popular shopping and dining destinations like North Hills (6 miles away) and downtown Raleigh (11 miles away). Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a quick trip west on Interstate Highway 540 (15 miles away).

Like Prince Place, Shadow Creek Estates sits on a former family farm, with lots that feature mature landscaping and expansive views of rolling hills. “The initial piece of property is absolutely stunning,” says Christina Valkanoff, owner of Raleigh-based Christina Valkanoff Realty Group. “The natural topography is unparalleled—and before we even touch it, there are beautiful views from every lot with the way the land sits.”

Shadow Creek Estates is the first community of homes constructed exclusively by Apex-based Loyd Builders, a luxury homebuilder that has partnered with Valkanoff to offer homes beginning at $2 million. “Loyd Builders has an incredible reputation in our market as one of the best— if not the best—custom builders in the Triangle, and the craftsmanship that goes into one of their homes is really impeccable,” she says.

Loyd Builders is committed to ensuring a consistent style across the neighborhood. “There’s a cohesive plan where every piece of property in the community will be working together to create a vision of classic architecture, with homes that last for generations to come,” Valkonoff says.

These “tried and true” architectural styles, Valkanoff says, will include natural materials such as cedar and limestone, and allow plenty of design flexibility to reflect current trends, like white painted brick. “We’re not trying to build something super trendy, but rather a neighborhood where you drive through 50 years from now and you won’t know when it was developed because the architecture is so timeless,” she says. The homes will also incorporate modern technologies like energy-efficient designs and solar power.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Larger lot sizes offer more opportunities for outdoor living through the addition of recreation and relaxation spaces. Some Shadow Creek Estates plans feature indoor and outdoor sport courts—pickleball is an increasingly popular choice—along with pools and waterslides. After completing a sun study on the property, Shadow Creek Estates designers create an architectural plan that blends outdoor and indoor spaces seamlessly via phantom screens and open porches that integrate with pools, patios and decks.

Prince Place will also afford its residents plenty of space to add customized outdoor recreational spaces—something that has taken on an increased importance during the pandemic, as homeowners everywhere have turned their private outdoor space into a refuge for relaxation where they can experience a sense of normalcy.

So, Raleigh and Western Wake house hunters: Don’t give up on finding that perfect home—and property. The same market trends that are making Prince Place and Shadow Creek Estates such popular communities, won’t be going anywhere soon.

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Halcyon Homes

Photo by Karolina Pora and Staging by Linden Creek Staging

The Sanctuary at Yates Mill

Photo courtesy of the developer

Halcyon Homes

Photo by Karolina Pora and Staging by Linden Creek Staging

The Sanctuary at Yates Mill

Photo courtesy of the developer

BACKGROUND IMAGE

Photo by Annie Otzen/Getty Images

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

BY SPENCER GRIFFITH

With no sign of the Triangle’s real estate market cooling off anytime soon, how should prospective buyers and sellers go about choosing a real estate agent who will best meet their needs? Gretchen Coley of The Coley Group and Christina Valkanoff of Christina Valkanoff Realty Group weigh in with some advice. Here are the skills they believe good real estate agents should have mastered.

Possesses Market Knowledge “The most important thing to look for when choosing an agent is their connection to the industry and knowledge of the market,” Coley says. With a limited supply of inventory, having a database of connections—and knowing when they’re getting ready to move—is of the utmost importance, she adds. “So many transactions are happening off-market now, so if you don’t have an agent who is willing to take the time upfront to see what it is exactly that you’re looking for—and then has the ability to go find that for you—it’s going to be impossible for you to win.”

Valkanoff echoes Coley’s advice to seek out a seasoned veteran in Triangle real estate who knows the market, understands contracts and is a great negotiator. Knowledge of the market—and connections with builders—is even more important when dealing with new construction.

“New construction is not in the database, so if an agent is not in the know with builders and doesn’t know what’s coming on the market, [the clients] don’t even know what their options are,” says Valkanoff— adding that, at the time this issue went to press, Shadow Creek Estates was not yet listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), so clients have only been introduced via knowledgeable agents. Sets Realistic Expectations “It’s going to take longer to build the house than you think, and there are going to be obstacles in the way,” Coley attests. “Making sure you choose someone who has experience [representing buyers in new construction] is going to save you money and help your expectations be properly set throughout the process.”

Willingly Shares Experience Level How can a potential buyer or seller best identify an agent with the experience he or she needs? In Valkanoff’s opinion, they simply need to ask the agent about it. He or she should be able to answer that question— whether it’s how many clients the agent has served, how many multiple offer negotiations he or she has won, or how many sellers he or she has helped navigate multiple offers for within the past year.

“Ask them, ‘What is your advice about the market right now?’” Valkonoff suggests. “Do they know how to guide you, and will they guide you? If they can’t guide you before you even really start the process, how can they guide you through the process?”

“There are so many people who come to us who’ve had a horrible experience because they chose someone who didn’t have the knowledge,” Valkanoff says. “They’re blaming their bad experience on the market—which is tough. But with the right guidance, it doesn’t have to be a negative experience.”

Coley concurs. “Let’s face it: In every industry, there are a lot of experts but there are also a lot of people who aren’t,” she cautions. “Making sure you pick the right agent is going to assure you that you’re going to find a house and you’re not going to overpay for it.”

Stretch Out Here

These Triangle neighborhoods offer larger-than-average lots.

Overlook at Mount Vernon: homesbydickerson.com/communities/ the-overlook

Papillon Park: papillonpark2.com Prince Place: halcyonhomesnc.com/princeplace Shadow Creek Estates: shadowcreekestates.com

The Sanctuary at Yates Mill: sanctuaryatyatesmill.com Sunset Grove: sunsetgrove.com

SHADOW CREEK ESTATES

THE SANCTUARY AT YATES MILL

ABOVE

Photos courtesy of respective developments

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