See the Sunshine in North Carolina
The Tar Heel State offers endless lifestyle possibilities, whether you seek the cultured excitement of Charlotte and Raleigh, the rustic shores of Lake Norman, or solace by the sea in Wilmington.
North Carolina’s motto is “Esse quam videri,” Latin for “to be, rather than to seem” — or in today’s parlance, “keep it real.” And why wouldn’t you? There’s no need to front when your state has some of the best food in the country (who’s in for pulled pork?), natural beauty from the Blue Ridge Mountains to sandy ocean beaches, and two powerhouse metropolitan areas, both of which serve as major economic hubs and are home to numerous celebrated universities. The only topic more sensitive than the state’s college basketball rivalries might be whether Lexington-style or Eastern-style barbecue is more delicious.
If you’ve gone to North Carolina in your mind, the agents of Corcoran HM Properties, serving Greater Charlotte and Wilmington, and Corcoran DeRonja, representing the Raleigh-Durham area, are ready to be your guides. From the Crescent to the coast, here’s a selection of places — and properties — from the Corcoran network. Let’s start our tour, shall we?
Raleigh and the Research Triangle
The Research Triangle, or simply “the Triangle,” is a subregion of the Piedmont Crescent formed by invisible lines between its three anchor cities: Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. It came to be in the late-1950s, when academics at the three major research universities in each city — North Carolina State University in Raleigh, Duke in Durham, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — proposed the creation of a research park to allow the three schools to collaborate. The resulting Research Triangle Park, which borders all three cities, quickly became an enormous success. As a result of RTP’s development, the Triangle has become an incredibly vibrant place to live, attracting newcomers with a combination of historic architecture, Southern charm, and an atmosphere of college town-coolness married to high-tech employment opportunities and investment.
On the Market
101 N. Bloodworth Street, Raleigh
The House: This lovely three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom house in Historic Oakwood was built in 2006, but has the looks to blend in with the nearby North Carolina-style Victorians that dominate the neighborhood — its deep porch even has a traditional haint blue ceiling. Thanks to its recent construction, the house accommodates a modern lifestyle with plenty of storage space for all of the accoutrements of daily life, whether it’s sports gear or seasonal clothing and decorations. And if the home’s many closets aren’t enough, there’s also a detached garage with attic storage. There are three-inch interior shutters throughout the house, along with copper gutters and Nest thermostats to keep the house regulated through every season. Flexible spaces on the first and third floors can be configured as home offices, playrooms, media rooms, or even guest rooms.
The Place: Historic Oakwood, like most of Raleigh‘s neighborhoods, feels like a small town within a city. It’s filled with fun places to grab a bite, green spaces with playgrounds and dog runs, and easy access to the downtown core. Some nearby eateries beloved by Oakwood residents include The Optimist Coffee Shop, Side Street Restaurant, Longleaf Swine, Gringo A Go Go, and Oakwood Pizza Box. And from the front door of this house, it’s just a few blocks to Oakwood Commons Park or the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Listed By: Mechelle Fuquay of Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate.
3847 Stoneridge Forest Drive, Raleigh
The House: There’s plenty of space in this six-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom house to entertain the whole crew, whether it’s for a big party or just for a fun weekend hang or sleepover. The kitchen has two Miele dishwashers and an oversized pantry, which means that cooking and cleaning-up for crowd is a snap, and the open floor plan makes it easy to circulate hors d’oeuvres and cocktails to all the guests. Meanwhile, the finished basement has a rec room with a wet bar and a beverage refrigerator, two bedrooms (one currently being used as a home gym), a bathroom, a second home office, and a media room, if you want to invite friends over to watch the game or host a movie marathon. In the warmer months, there’s a screened-in porch with a fireplace and a deck that is stubbed for gas, ready for a gas grill.
The Place: Stoneridge Place is a newer development that’s close to I-40, meaning about a 20-minute drive to RDU International Airport, Downtown Raleigh, or Research Triangle Park. It’s also a short drive to all the great restaurants and shopping of Raleigh, as well as offering easy access to green spaces like Umstead State Park, just a mile away. Umstead State Park has an extensive network of hiking trails, camping areas, and three lakes that are available for fishing.
Listed By: Sarah Overholser of Corcoran DeRonja Real Estate.
Charlotte
Greater Charlotte represents the fourth-largest metropolitan region in the Southeast and one of the fastest-growing in the entire country. Nearly three million make their home in the 16 counties surrounding the “Queen City.” Countless companies across all industries maintain headquarters, if not a substantial presence, in Charlotte’s thriving urban core, most notably the finance, technology, and higher education sectors. You’ll find everything from historic homes to new construction here, whether it’s in the heart of the city or in one of the many growing suburbs.
On the Market
The House: This notable 1926 Colonial Revival was inspired by the architecture of George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The six-bedroom McNinch House was built for Frank Ramsay McNinch, a former Charlotte mayor. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, the structure even boasts its own version of Mount Vernon’s distinct two-story piazza along its front elevation. The back of the house opens to a beautiful garden, raised rear terrace, pool, pergola, and pool house. There’s also a guest house with a full bathroom, flex room, and living area. Inside, the house has high ceilings, beautiful millwork, three fireplaces, and a grand staircase. There’s a wood-paneled study, complete with built-in bookshelves, as well as a billiards room with more built-in shelving and a chandelier.
The place: The house overlooks Foxcroft Place, an enclave of eight new-construction private residences built on land carved off from the original estate. Part of Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood, the entirety of the former McNinch property has been landscaped to preserve as many of its mature, native trees as possible. SouthPark is the city’s second-largest business district, but smaller communities like Foxcroft offer proximity to great dining and shopping while maintaining a residential feel.
Represented by: Susan May of Corcoran HM Properties.
Coastal North Carolina
North Carolina has 300 miles of coastline, a delightful stretch of sand and sun that includes multiple barrier islands, peaceful beaches, great surfing, mouth-watering seafood restaurants, and summertime delights like roller coasters, ice cream, and long walks on the beach. The most famous beaches are the Outer Banks, but Wilmington, the Topsail area, and the Crystal Coast are just a few of the other coastal communities that offer their own version of a perfect vacation lifestyle.
On the Market
The House: Invite the whole gang to this new construction four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom duplex in North Topsail Beach, located just a block from the beach. The front porch faces the ocean, while the back deck leads directly to a wooden walkway that ends in a community pier for fishing or kayak launching in the inlet, making it easy to go for a paddle whenever the sea calls to you. There’s a large storage room off the foyer so you don’t have to worry about dragging the beach gear in and out of the house, along with an outdoor shower to rinse off the sand and the surf. Bring the entire family for a beach vacation or buy as investment property.
The Place: Topsail Island is a tranquil 26-mile barrier island south of Jacksonville, North Carolina. Legend has it that the pirate Blackbeard once buried his loot here, and though his cache of gold has never been found, treasure-seekers have discovered this jewel of place instead. Beyond its beaches and the water sports opportunities, the island is covered in maritime forests and known as a home to many sea turtles. There are also lots of old-fashioned vacation activities to enjoy, including mini-golf, an arcade, a roller-skating rink that first opened in 1964, and a micro-creamery producing small-batch ice cream right on the island.
