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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
Waterfront Lot with good view of water, gated community, with paved roads, street Lights, restrictive covenants to protect property values. Stick built homes only. Yo...
- 2386276 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Waterfront Lot with good view of water, gated community, with paved roads, street Lights, restrictive covenants to protect property values. Stick built homes only. Yo...
- 2386278 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Waterfront Lot with good view of water, gated community, with paved roads, street Lights, restrictive covenants to protect property values. Stick built homes only. Yo...
- 2386291 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
LIVE & WALK BESIDE THE NEUSE RIVER!! Beautiful historic RIVER MILL top-floor end-unit w/ bright open floor plan, massive granite walls & soaring 12 ceilings! Entry foyer....
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2408616 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
GREAT WINTER PANORAMIC LAKE VIEW in flowage easement subdivision with sandy beaches. Offering a 3-BR, 2-bath home with large eat-in kitchen & vaulted ceiling living room ...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2406100 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
Unit in construction - move in ready mid April! Enjoy a large family room with 2 story casement windows, open concept and open air loft. Beautiful river views! Family ro...
- 1 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2188241 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
They don't build them like this anymore!! Strong boned and handsome 1.5 story Ranch with master down, 2 oversized beds up, perched on one of the prettiest homesites in C...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2396238 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
GREEN BUILT HOME ! Waterview on an oversized lot with peace and quiet all around. This three bedroom, two bath home has 1905 square foot of heated living space and almost...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2347200 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Looking for a quiet retreat! How about 54.22 acres with over 5500 feet on John Kerr Reservoir land, beautiful three open fields, wooded areas, access to Butcher Creek wa...
- 2351184 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Stunning home with gorgeous views of the sunset over the river in fall and winter seasons. Open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, breakfast room, family room with gas log...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2402763 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
MERIFIELD ACRES LAKE HOME over a full Basement (unfinished waiting for your good ideas) with a private DOCK that enjoys sunset views over Kerr Lake. Gorgeous Hardwood flo...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2403585 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Coming Soon! Amazing lake views! Two-story family room opens to the spacious kitchen and bright breakfast area with breathtaking views of the beautiful lake. Fresh paint ...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2408010 MLS
- COMING SOON Status
Rare 2.54-acre lot on Lake Wheeler. Spectacular building site nestled in a secure, buffered, peaceful setting. Minutes to shopping, downtown Raleigh, I-40 and I-440.
- 2406486 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Sunset Lake Estates One Acre Lot on a Cul-De-Sac. This home has been impeccably maintained. 1st Floor Master Suite & Laundry Just Painted Exterior & Just Re-Finished Sa...
- 5 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2405394 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
~44.75 acres of land in Chatham County with 1,531 feet of water frontage to the Haw River all for under 1 million dollars. Land is consisted of 4 different parcels. Elect...
- 2360721 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
This elegant MERIFIELD ACRES home includes a LAKE LOT with your own reserved DOCK SPOT! Set on 3.8 ACRES ,this stunning 3 Bedroom/4 Bath BRICK home is is an expanded Will...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2376694 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
KERR LAKE WATERFRONT PACKAGE. FURNISHED, well-maintained QUALITY HOME, plus BOAT. Cherry cabinets, granite tops, cherry flooring in all living areas, 10-ft ceilings 1st f...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2400598 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
8+ acres w/ pond. This log cabin has the following: whole house generator, 80x40 workshop w/ 10-ton car lift. Home has a 2-story living room with stone fireplace. Kitchen...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2401844 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Great Site for an event venue, flat, two parcels, adjacent to Hampton Pointe subdivision, 172 feet of road frontage, currently on well and septic The building on site is...
- 2375542 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
THIS ONE has it all..AMAZING PANORAMIC close-to-water VIEWS. Gentle slope to water. Covered alumadock. Over 5700 sq.ft of move-in-condition living space; offering 4+ BR's...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2368609 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Builders personal residence with many custom features. Overlooks a 6-acre lake, custom millwork, mahogany built-ins, heart pine floors, 6 HVAC zones, designer kitchen w/W...
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 2407994 MLS
- COMING SOON Status
Elegant private French Chateau on 2.6ac gated estate min to Raleigh & Cary. Well appointed Grand DR & Piano Parlor boast soaring ceilings/antique FPL mantles & mirrors/Ba...
- 6 Beds
- 9 Baths
- 2387760 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Lakefront Peace and Tranquility in the Heart of Chapel Hill. Timeless Mid-Century Modern Design. A rare opportunity to own the best centrally located waterfront lot that ...
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2408428 MLS
- COMING SOON Status
Last buildable lot on private 48 acre lake in the heart of Chapel Hill's coveted Lake Forest neighborhood featuring the most revered south west lake view w spectacular su...
- 2372502 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Water Front Home! Full Basmt w/Theatre, WineCellar, FamRm, Billiards/Game Area, ExerciseRm, GuestRm/Bth! Outdoor Livng w/StoneFP! Gourmet Kit w/Wolf Appls, SubZero Fridge...
- 4 Beds
- 7 Baths
- 2389518 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Georgian Manor Estate: Builder's own home on arguably the prettiest land in Orange Cty! Secluded w/gated entrance on 26 acres along the Eno River surrounded by a Conserva...
- 4 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2406832 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Les Acres Mysticales: Lush, green, quiet, seclusion by a lake. 37+ acres of land with 4 cabins and a farmhouse supporting a solid rental history since 1945. Farmhouse has...
- 11 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 2404396 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Welcome to a Sportsman's Paradise. Working farm that joins Kerr Lake on two sides, with thousands of feet of waterfront. Plenty of deer and turkeys, and lake access too. ...
- 2388273 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
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2021 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .