Can't Find the Right Home in the City? Widen the Map

If you've been searching inside the city limits and can't find the right home in your budget, it might be time to widen the map. Some of the best opportunities I see are just outside the Triangle's biggest cities, in towns and neighborhoods that offer more space, a different pace and an easy drive back to everything you love.

Why buyers are looking beyond the city

• More home for your money. Moving a little farther out can open the door to more square footage, a bigger yard or a newer home.
• Flexible work. If you work from home some or all of the week, a longer drive on the days you do commute may be a trade-off worth making.
• Room to grow. Space for a home office, a garden, pets or a growing family.
• Community. Many surrounding towns have walkable downtowns, parks and events that give them a small-town feel.

Where to look around the Triangle

Wake County is ringed by growing towns such as Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Knightdale and Rolesville. Just beyond, Johnston County (including Clayton and Smithfield), Franklin County and Harnett County are worth a look, as are Chatham and Orange counties to the west of Raleigh and Durham.

Each one has its own personality, so it's worth spending a weekend driving through the areas on your list, grabbing lunch downtown and doing a test run of your commute at rush hour.

Questions to ask before you move out

• What will my real commute be, at the times I'd actually be driving?
• What are the schools like, and which school assignment comes with a specific address?
• What are the property taxes and HOA fees, and are there utility differences such as well and septic?
• What's planned nearby? New roads, shopping and development can change an area quickly.
• How does the home fit your life five or 10 years from now?

Start exploring

You can search homes by county: Wake, Johnston, Franklin, Harnett, Durham and Orange. You can also check current numbers in my local market reports, or read my guides to Raleigh and Durham.

When you're ready to compare areas side by side, let's talk. I'll help you find the spot that fits your budget and your life.

Source and further reading: “Can't Buy the House You Want? Consider Moving Out of the City”, originally published by NerdWallet, via Trending Home News.