Exploratory Trip to Raleigh, NC (Cary, Apex: houses, crawl space, to buy)

[wcsquare]

My family is coming to the Raleigh area from LI to look at communities this weekend. We are trying to narrow our search. We are looking to move in 2008/spend $350-450/great schools and fun, young family oriented community. Kids are 12/9/7. We are 40's. Need recommendations. Thanks. KC

[TwoWheelerNC]

There are so many great areas.
Maybe you should narrow the search by asking a couple questions:
Do you know where you/spouse will work?
Do you care to live closer to work or would you rather commute if it meant getting more house for your money.
Do you want to live in a planned community or buy land to build?

North Raleigh, Cary, Apex - there are lots of places.

The school website is www.wcpss.net.
You can get the ratings for the schools there.

You can also find a lot of the builders websites to see where they are building and what you can get for your money.

Toll Brothers, Orleans Homes, Shea, Pulte, K. Hovnanian are just a sample of the big builders. Good luck!

[lovemyguys]

Welcome.

Like I said in a previous post, I think HOlly Springs/Apex is a great place. Like the other poster said....there are so many great places but you probably want to know where you'll be commuting to for work.

I think you're in a good price range to find a great house. Not sure what prices will be like in 2008.

Good luck!

[lovemyguys]

are you going to be looking at houses with a realtor?

I think that is your best bet. They really helped educate us (stick built, slap, crawl space, etc.). Sometimes if you come from other areas of the country you are not aware of how housing is built/sold in different areas. Plus, our realtor educated us on when, in the building process of the development, it is best to buy to allow for the most property value increase in your subdivision.

[leighbhe]

I would have to agree with the previous posters, the area is quite big, and if you are going to commute any place, your living location may change. I have shown a number of families from LI the area, some loved cary, some hated it. Some loved wake forest, etc. It all depends though!

Maybe if you could narrow it down a bit, then I could make suggestions. I do think having a realtor show you around helps. I have met with people who told me after the fact that they really hadn't wanted to commit to spending time with an agent, but in the end they were glad they did because it gave them a much better feel for the area ( and they weren't lost all of the time).

Let me know if you have more questions
Leigh