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Waterfront Listings in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill Area
The Triangle has many good features that make it attractive to home buyers, but waterfront property is one thing that's not in huge supply around here!
Apart from the coast, inland buyers interested in waterfront property are probably thinking about a nice home with views of a lake or river, maybe a dock, but certainly direct access to the water.
While we have multiple recreational lakes with homes surrounding the lakes, there are no "lake-front" properties for sale with docks at our major lakes. The homes that are adjacent to the lakes have a buffer, so while you may get some views you can't walk right down to your boat.
Kerr Lake further to the north does have the ability to have docks, but it's a 45 minute drive from Durham so somewhat of a longer commute.
Two of our most popular lakes, Jordan Lake and Falls Lake, are undeveloped and regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Both are designated as state recreation areas, with multiple access areas, campsites, swimming beaches, and boating ramps. There are hiking and biking trails around the lakes.
So, the communities that include Jordan Lake or Falls Lake in their names simply mean they’re very near. Some have spectacular lake views (but no boat docks) and those homes are often in the high-end luxury home range with prices of $2 million and up.
Raleigh has two good-sized lakes in Lake Wheeler and Lake Johnson. Lake Wheeler has some beautiful homes - $1 million+ - that have great views of the lake, but no direct access to water. Swimming is not allowed in Lake Wheeler although personal boats can be launched with day passes. Lake Johnson Park Lake Johnson Park has a dual designation of metro park and nature preserve. Fishing is allowed but there is no swimming.
Lake Benson, located just south of Raleigh, is also a large lake that has great trails, and allows fishing, but neither swimming or personal watercraft are allowed.
Bottom line? You may be able to buy a home that has a water view of a lake, but no direct access. And the houses with those views are going to be much more expensive because the houses are going to be larger and grander.
Communities with private lakes
One good option is to buy homes in neighborhoods that include private lakes - here are a few notable ones.
The Preston community is a lush golf course community located between Morrisville and Cary. It’s centered around Preston Village, a scenic open park featuring an expansive private lake and playground area. With close access to shopping, dining, and parks, Preston has a wide range of living opportunities - affordable townhomes, spacious single-family homes, high-end luxury homes. Prices start around $400k with some topping out over $1 million.
Lochmere is another Cary neighborhood centered around beautiful lakes and wooded trails. It features single-family homes ranging from $350k to $1.2 million, with sq. feet from 2,303 to 5,675. The houses range in age from 1985 to 2021. A pool, tennis courts, and planned community events and celebrations make Lochmere a great community.
Durham’s Grove Park is a golf community that has two neighborhoods, one on the lake side and one on the golf side. The two sides are split by Route 98 and the southern lakeside neighborhood surrounds a lake with a clubhouse and pool nestled right on the lake. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed in the lake.
Some of the lakefront homes have multi-level decking that provide great water views. Homes in the neighborhood start around $250k and homes on the lake can be priced under $400k when available.
The Parkwood subdivision is a quiet southwest Durham neighborhood located minutes from RTP. Home to nearly 3,000 people, Parklane features 100 acres of shared parkland, playgrounds, ball field, and swim club, in addition to its lake. Single-family homes in this neighborhood can be found under $300k and homes with great views, when available, can be under $400k.
And what about rivers?
The Triangle is not known for its rivers, so it’s no surprise that we don’t really have great riverfront properties. The Eno River, which runs from Durham west through Hillsborough, is a good example. Like the popular Raleigh and Durham lakes, the Eno River has a lot of properties near the river or its expansive state park, but very few direct on the water homes. There are direct access, mostly undeveloped, lots that sometimes come up for sale, but those are more on the Hillsborough end than the Durham side.
What’s the bottom line?
If having a water view is very important to you, you are better off looking at neighborhoods that include their own private lakes within the community. On the other hand, if you want to take advantage of being near a large lake with all the recreational opportunities they offer, you will be best served by choosing the communities surrounding these lakes, even without a water view or direct access.
The good news is that the entire Triangle area has much to recommend to those who are relocating here, to retire or to explore career opportunities. No matter where in the Triangle you’re looking, you can use our advanced search or map search to find your dream home, or contact us for a consultation.
Waterfront Properties for Sale in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill
LARGE building site (TWO SEPARATE LOTS totaling 3.2 PLUS ACRES) on KERR LAKE with plenty space for oversized boat garage, etc. OR building two homes OR ESTATE SETTING wit...
- 2423219 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE: Parcel B is 13.01 Acres with frontage along the U. S. Army Corps land to Kerr Lake. A road is in place & a path from the property thru the Corps...
- 2427677 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE: 18+ Acres with CREEK & frontage along the U. S. Army Corps land to Kerr Lake. SHARED DOCK will enjoy a sandy shoreline & sunsets over the water....
- 2427683 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
NEW PRICE! Don't miss opportunity to build your dream home on private lake with recreational access, in Wake County. Nearly 1 acre double lot fronts on beautiful Bunn Lak...
- 2445229 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT ACREAGE: 3.14 ACRES in the Bluestone area of Kerr Lake. AG ZONE- SO do what you want...have horses or chickens here! BUOY saves your Dock Spot. From your D...
- 2373653 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT LOT overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. Watch sunrise on your SANDY BEACH....toes will truly be "in the sand" here. The perfect place to build your ...
- 2404922 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT LOT overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. Watch sunrise on your SANDY BEACH....toes will truly be "in the sand" here. The perfect place to build your ...
- 2404928 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Wow what a gem in the making.Very secluded 4.9 acre lot with huge pond. Custom built in 1975. Stunning marble flooring brought from Italy. Solid mahogany paneling throug...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2459364 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT ACREAGE overlooking the main channel of Kerr Lake. First time offering of this lake land tract. Build your home with privacy right here. DOCK SPOT has a SA...
- 2403682 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Waterfront Residential New Home Opportunity! Bring your builder or use ours. City Water/Sewer @ street. Enjoy nature w/ freedom to build your dream home. Waterfowl allowe...
- 2431981 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Waterfront Residential New Home Opportunity! Bring your builder or use ours. City Water/Sewer @ street. Enjoy nature w/ freedom to build your dream home. Waterfowl allowe...
- 2436425 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE ACCESS ACREAGE:43+ Acres has over 1,000 feet in common with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land to Kerr Lake. DOCK with a SANDY SHORELINE overlooks the main b...
- 2427393 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Location, Floorplan, On The Pond! This home HAS IT ALL- Enjoy beautiful pond view from deck + rocking chair front porch. Boasting 5BR, 4 Full Bath, open living with larg...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2457124 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
"TO BE BUILT ON YOUR LOT": Tillery plan, includes cost of waterfront lot on Bunn Lake, lot finishing & price of home w/unfinished walk out basement. Prices subject to upd...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2458720 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE WATERFRONT with room for entertaining! Customized 3 Bedroom,2.5 Bath Modular has 2,700 Sq Ft on the main level with gleaming Hardwood flooring, Vaulted Great Ro...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2459291 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Welcome to your Waterfront Residential New Home Construction Opportunity On Vacant Land - The Badin by Caruso Homes! This PRESALE home to be is custom built. Open concept...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2432894 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Less than 20 minutes to Duke University and downtown Hillsborough sits this charming home on an enchanting 5+ acre lot. Boasting of approx 349 ft of exclusive waterfront ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2456720 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Welcome to your Waterfront Residential New Home Construction Opportunity On Vacant Land - The Badin by Caruso Homes! This PRESALE home to be is custom built. Open concept...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2437030 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKEFRONT ACREAGE W/DOCK. This pastoral setting consists of 54+ Acres w/pastures, POND & woods bordering the Corps land to Kerr Lake. Restore the classic Home, which...
- 3 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2322527 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Back on the market! A gorgeous hilltop view overlooking two-acre fishing pond. Open meadows, bordered by forest and streams. So much opportunity for agricultural projects...
- 2437712 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Live your dream with 32+- partially cleared and unrestricted acres with Deeded Access to the Haw River. Executive Homes are being built on adjacent lots with plenty of p...
- 2436616 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
LAKEFRONT Estate on Kerr Lake in the PRESTWOULD II community. BRICK Traditional home set on over 2.4 ACRES has 400 + feet joining the Corps land to Kerr Lake. Located on ...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2425437 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Picturesque setting with fabulous views of University Lake provides living unlike any other home in the area. Just a few minutes from downtown, this recently renovated (2...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2446810 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Lake front property nestled on 59.12 acres, live the dream with 7 acres of lake that reaches 60 ft depth. Enjoy hiking, four wheeling, Fishing, canoe, lake trampoline, di...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2431539 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
"Willow Ordinaire" is the Jewel in the Crown of Kerr Lake Living. The 4 Bedroom, 5.5 Bath home showcases the elegant simplicity of gracious living. The quality & architec...
- 4 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2440546 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Welcome to a Sportsman's Paradise. Working farm that joins Kerr Lake with 3450 ft of feet of waterfront. Plenty of deer and turkeys, and lake access too. Lots of potentia...
- 2388273 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
This IMPRESSIVE Jacob Holt mid 19th-century style 4-BR, 3.5 bath home updated w/ MODERN CONVENIENCES in the late twentieth century is perfectly sited on over 27 ACRES bor...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2451604 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Newly built modern home situated on 3.68 acres overlooking your own private pond in North Raleigh. Featuring concrete insulated siding mixed with reclaimed wood from an o...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2443196 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
LIVE, WORK, PLAY under one roof! UNIQUE, RARE 39 ACRES ON HAW RIVER---CUSTOM multi-use ESTATE property--PRIVATE OUTDOOR OASIS. Covered porches, HEATED POOL, large rec. ro...
- 4 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2424299 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Stunning estate on 5 acres w/pond, pastures! 1313 sq.ft. exquisite 1BR in-law apartment w/elevator, sc porch, pond view! Custom home offers 4+BR, chef’s kitchen w/gas & h...
- 5 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2454630 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Inside Beltline Custom Built All Brick House overlooking the lower Lakestone Lake. This classic house offers a traditional floor plan w/ 1st floor master. All the formal ...
- 6 Beds
- 7 Baths
- 2340992 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
$249,000.00 PER ACRE, Wake County, UNIQUE, PRIVATE, PRICELESS, & CONVENIENT TO: RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Creedmoor.... 3 Parcels: 26 Acres, I...
- 2429031 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Nearly 13,000 SF of custom luxury in Cary’s exclusive Renaissance @ Regency Estates. Created by a dream team of esteemed architect, builder, interior designer & craftspeo...
- 6 Beds
- 9 Baths
- 2433250 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2022 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .