Historic Homes for Sale in Raleigh

Raleigh, North Carolina has a rich history going back over 250 years, so it’s not surprising that there are historic homes for sale in Raleigh. The state capital since 1791, some of the homes date back to that era and have distinctive Colonial and Federalist styles. 

Have you considered living in a historic home? From a real estate point of view, there are pros and cons to becoming a historic homeowner. On the plus side, buying a home in a historic district means you’ll usually join a community of folks interested in preserving the history of the area and taking care of the neighborhood - great for ongoing real estate property values! 

In general, the resale value of homes in historic neighborhoods is higher. Finally, there may be tax credits available to you depending on which “type” of historic district you’re part of. 

In Raleigh, there are two types of designations for historic areas and homes: Raleigh Historic Districts and the National Register of Historic Places. These designations have different requirements and benefits.

The Raleigh Historic Districts consist of eight local historic districts, each with its own unique ambiance: Blount Street, Boylan Heights, Capitol Square, Moore Square, Oakwood, Prince Hall, Glenwood-Brooklyn, and Oberlin Village.

Historic Oakwood, the Oak City’s oldest neighborhood, is north and east of downtown Raleigh and features beautiful homes built in the late 19th century. The older Oakwood homes were built in a variety of architectural styles,  including Victorian, Bungalow, Craftsman, and Traditional. 

The oldest house in Raleigh lies in Mordecai, a community made up of several different neighborhoods: Oakdale, Historic Mordecai, East Mordecai, Pilot Mill, and Capitol Park.

Other historic homes can be found in three prominent Raleigh suburbs that were developed in the early twentieth century: Forest Park, Boylan Heights, and Glenwood-Brooklyn. 

Each of these neighborhoods features the hallmarks of pedestrian-friendly planning: tree-lined streets, sidewalks, alleyways, and smaller lots. A second wave of suburban development brought about neighborhoods in the Five Points area, including the prestigious Hayes Barton.

The Moore Square and Prince Hall historic districts encompass some of Raleigh’s historically black neighborhoods, with roots that are planted firmly in the Reconstruction era. Shaw University, established in 1865, attracted newly freed slaves and other blacks. It is one of the oldest HBCUs in the country along with Saint Augustine University (founded in 1867), also located downtown. 

Homes in Prince Hall are modest one and two-story homes, featuring styles such as Craftsman, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival hybrids, Neoclassical, and Minimal Traditional. Historic neighborhoods include Idlewild, College Park, and South Park.

Other neighborhoods near downtown Raleigh that developed in the 1940s through 1960s include Cameron Village, Battery Heights, Longview Gardens, and Rochester Heights. These neighborhoods feature mostly ranch-style and split-level houses, as well as some Colonial, Minimal Traditional, and Cape Cod. Some of the floor plans in these houses are original to the style; other homes have been modernized and updated with more open concepts. 

As a homeowner in a historic district, any exterior changes made to the house may be subject to design review by the Raleigh Historic Districts Commission. 

And while many local review boards have a reputation for being heavy-handed in vetoing changes, the reality is that most applications are approved. As is so often the case, it’s the tiny percent of difficult approval cases that make the news and make people think that it’s impossible to change their homes in historic districts. 

Raleigh also boasts many areas on the National Register of Historic Places, administered under the National Park Service in conjunction with state governments. The National Register names both neighborhoods and individual homes to the National Register; these properties are not subject to any restrictions unlike those in local historic districts. 

There are a few benefits to owning a National Register home. Owners are eligible for a 20% federal investment tax credit that can be claimed against the cost of a certified rehabilitation of an income-producing historic building.

In addition, there is a 20% state investment tax credit for income-producing historic properties, and a 30% state credit for non-income-producing historic properties. For more information about these real estate tax credits, please visit NCDCR for the information on tax credits.

Find Historic Homes for Sale in Raleigh, North Carolina

Below is a complete list of historic homes in Raleigh. Whether you’re looking for a listing firm or someone to help you find that perfect home, please contact us if you have questions about any of the real estate listings, or about the Raleigh area in general.