Cape Cods for Sale in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill 

If you're in the market for a classic American house, you'll automatically be drawn to the Cape Cod. Originally developed by the English colonists, the Cape Cod style still resonates with comfort, coziness and a sense of being right at home.

What Is a Cape Cod House?

These practical structures were designed by the Puritan colonists and first built on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the 17th century. The classic Cape Cod style features a central front door and two windows on each side.

These homes were specially built to withstand harsh New England winters. The houses were heated with a large, centrally located fireplace and chimney that linked to several rooms. The houses often had many south-facing windows to take advantage of “passive solar” heat, and the roof was steeply angled to prevent snow from building up.

The Colonial Revival period that began in America in the 1930s led to an resurgence of Cape Cod-style homes being built along the east coast. In the 1980s, there was a renewed interest in this modest but flexible design.

What to Look for in a Cape Cod Home

The exterior of a Cape Cod is traditionally clapboard or shingles. Interior design elements include wood floors, plus wainscoting to provide additional insulation and prevent moisture damage.

The original Cape Cod style was sturdy and plain, and usually 1.5 stories tall. However, the simple rectangular design made it easy to add on to the home as the family grew. Depending on the configuration, a house might be a "single Cape", "three-quarter Cape," or "full Cape." Modern Cape Cod construction is often a hybrid of styles, combining the classic Cape features combined with Tudor, Ranch, or Craftsman bungalow styles.

If you're considering an older house, there are a couple of common issues to be aware of. Homes built in the 1980s may still have polybutylene piping, which become brittle when exposed to the chlorine from public water systems. Hire an experienced, licensed plumber to determine that there are no imminent problems during your due diligence period.

If the exterior of the home has Masonite siding, check that it was properly sealed and maintained against moisture damage, including mold.

Where to Look for Cape Cod Homes

If you're in the market for a Cape Cod-style home in Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, you have a wide choice!

Durham Cape Cods

Durham has several neighborhoods where you can find your Cape Cod home.

• American Village is located just minutes from downtown Durham and Duke University.
• Hope Valley Farms is a planned community that offers options from modest starter homes and townhomes to large detached family homes. There are many walking and bike paths and a YMCA located in the community.
• Woodcroft is the area's foremost neighborhood featuring Cape Cod homes. Like Hope Valley Farms, it also features walking and bike baths, and direct access to the American Tobacco Trail.
• Woodlake also features some Cape Cod homes, and has a nice pool and clubhouse. The neighborhood has walking trails around a beautiful small lake.
• Willowhaven is a country club community that borders the Umstead Pines golf course in North Durham.

Raleigh Cape Cods

Raleigh Cape Cod neighborhoods include:

• Banbury Woods, just south of Falls Lake, offers homes on wooded acre-plus lots.
• Belvidere Park is an established neighborhood near the heart of Raleigh.
• Historical Bloomsbury was the first county seat for Wake county, and has lovely homes ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
• Budleigh boasts tree-lined streets and easy access to restaurants and shops.

If you're looking for 1980s Cape Cod homes, check out the Stonehenge, the Broadlands, Brittany Woods, and Durant Trails neighborhoods.

Additional Raleigh neighborhoods to explore for your Cape Cod home are Copperfield, Hedingham, Lockwood, and Falls River.

Chapel Hill Cape Cods

Chapel Hill's Downing Creek has Cape Cods that were built between 1980 and 2000. You can also find Cape Cods for sale in Morgan Creek. Although the area has been modernized, it still retains all the charm of the classic style.

You might also find your Cape Cod dream nestled in one of these Chapel Hill neighborhoods.

• Robins Wood
• Herndon Woods
• Southern Village

Who to Contact for New Cape Cod Construction

If you're in the market for a brand-new Cape Cod house, here are the builders we recommend:

• Jordan Built Homes can build your new Cape Cod in Durham, Raleigh, and Wake Forest.
• Triangle Quality Properties builds in Hillsborough.
• Gail Crabtree Spaces builds and renovates homes in Durham and surrounding areas. They build unique homes in the Cape Cod and Craftsman styles.

Cape Cods were designed to be customized to fit your family and your lifestyle. If you can't find the exact home you like from the existing inventory for sale, contact one of these builders to help create your perfect home.

Below is a complete list of Cape Cod style homes for sale in Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and the surrounding areas in North Carolina. Search for your favorite homes, whether you prefer move-in ready or like to do a little fixing up. Contact us today and schedule a visit. We can point out great locations and neighborhoods to help you find your dream home in the Triangle.