Real Estate in Durham | Durham Homes For Sale
Those of you who are buying condominium real estate in Durham, North Carolina after having lived in Charlie Condos in Toronto will find many things about the city familiar. However, if you are not one of these privileged few, you may need a bit of help understanding Durham, NC and its real estate market before you jump in. This site was made by Durham real estate agents specifically to provide you with the overview you need. Feel free to browse its pages of helpful information on everything the city has to offer and when you're finished, you know who to turn to when you want to jump into the housing market.
Durham, North Carolina: The Bull City
Located in central North Carolina, the city of Durham is one of the three principal cities in the Piedmont region that make up the Piedmont Triangle. The city was founded in 1853 as a refueling stop on the North Carolina railroad and named for Bartlett Durham, the doctor who donated the land upon which the original railway depot was built. Its nickname, "The Bull City" stems from the Bull Durham Tobacco Company, which dominated the city's economy during the post Civil War period. Its current population is around 217,000, making it the fifth largest city in the state.
Durham, NC's economy is no longer dependant upon tobacco. Rather it, along with its partner cities of Raleigh and Chapel Hill, has established itself as a major center of health care education and research. Research Triangle Park, which Durham shares with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, is one of the largest in the country and is home to facilities run by major players like GlaxoSmithKline and General Electric. Over 49,000 people work in the park, making it the city's largest employer, just behind Duke University, which employs 39,000 and is one of the top schools in the country for academics, athletics, and research.
Durham, North Carolina's Bull City tobacco fame is showcased in city parks and museums. The historic Stagville Plantation gives visitors a glimpse into life on an antebellum tobacco plantation while the old American Tobacco Company location has been turned into shops. The tobacco railroad is now the American Tobacco Trail, a walking, biking, and horseback riding path.
Neighborhoods and Home Styles in Durham, NC
There are many reasons an individual or family might choose to relocate to Durham, North Carolina. Perhaps they have secured a job at one of the medical technology firms in Research Triangle Park, or they will soon be furthering their education at Duke. Whatever your reason for moving, you'll be able to find a place to live that fits your budget and lifestyle. As a prosperous city of many white-collar professionals, Durham, NC has a wealth of quiet suburban neighborhoods like Audubon Park in which you might find a brand new modern home. These subdivisions often feature community amenities like swimming pools and playgrounds for the kids.
Those who are interested in a home with historic charm and great access to downtown have a number of neighborhoods to choose from in Durham, NC, each of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bungalows are the order of the day in Morehead Hill and Fayetteville Street. Morehead Hill is known for its Queen Anne and Colonial Revivals while Fayetteville has some rare examples of Sears Catalog homes. Old West Durham has small, affordable row houses in the Queen Anne style while Forest Hills' Tudor and English Cottage homes are popular with families. Students and artists may have luck finding a place in the eclectic Cleveland-Holloway or Trinity Park neighborhoods.
The cost of living in Durham, North Carolina is 86.1, less than the national average of 100. The average detached home costs about $218,000 while the average town home costs about $150,000. Condos range on average from $113,000 to $172,000 and average rents are about $720 per month.
Contact a Durham, NC Real Estate Agent
The best way to introduce yourself to a new real estate market is to take a fact-finding trip to the city in question. If you're going to be in Durham, North Carolina, contact our offices to set up an appointment with a real estate agent who can give you the lowdown and provide personalized assistance as you look for the home of your dreams. However, we recognize that time and budget constraints may not always allow for a reconnaissance trip, so we have also made sure there is a real estate agent available to answer any of your inquiries by phone or email.
