The Raleigh suburbs have a lot to offer. Live close to this vibrant city while enjoying the benefits of suburban life If you’re trying to decide which one will be your new hometown, New Home Inc. offers this guide to buying a new home in Lillington, NC, a small town with big advantages.
Explore the benefits of living in Lillington, NC
Living in Lillington, NC, presents an appealing choice for homeowners who like the advantages of a small town—and one that’s growing and keeping up with changes. Here are some of the benefits of living in Lillington, NC.
Convenient, commutable location
Lillington is halfway between Raleigh in the north and Fayetteville and Fort Liberty in the south, making it one of the best Raleigh suburbs for commuters. The town is ideal for the family that wants easy access to either or both locations.
Quality of life
With a population of about 4,600 people, Lillington is a modern small town, one that’s invested in growing to meet the needs of everyone living there. The abundance of hospitality, community pride, schools, and things to do are among the many other factors that contribute to its overall Livability rating of an “A+”.
If you’re looking for a quiet place that takes you back to the simple pleasures in life—like a walkable downtown where you feel right at home and an active day in the great outdoors—Lillington is the place to live.
Family-friendly
Living in Lillington is particularly pleasing for families with children. In addition to the great schools, you can educate and entertain your kids (and the kid in you!) in many ways.
Cape Fear River Adventures takes you out on the famous river that runs through Lillington, with your choice of river tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and other wet and wonderful experiences.
Nearby Willow Oak Farm is a working farm that welcomes visitors all year, for special events, fresh-picked produce, and getting up close and personal with the goats, pigs, horses, rabbits, sheep, and alpacas. There’s an outdoor playground and an indoor barnyard play area. And The Scoop @ Willow Farms is the place to go for ice cream treats (including reduced fat, sugar-free, dairy-free, and vegan options) and handspun milkshakes.
The Town of Lillington hosts community events that bring together all the residents of all ages in the spirit of fun and festivities.
A hub of outdoor activity
Lillington is a nature lover’s paradise. Whether your recreation of choice is hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, glamping, riding a horse or a bike, enjoy your sport right in Lillington. Raven Rock State Park caters to all of the above! Cape Fear River runs through the town (and the state park), offering every water sport you can imagine. Living in Lillington also gives you the benefit of a network of well-maintained parks and recreational facilities.
Shop-filled downtown district
Walk down Main Street and explore the wide variety of locally owned businesses, like The B Hive on Main, a modern take on the general store, filled with things you never knew you couldn’t live without. Zenciety Holistic Boutique and Main Street Market also give you reasons to browse regularly.
And no downtown is complete without the local hardware store. J.E. Womble & Sons has been around for generations. The store has some of just about everything. Their motto boasts, “If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” From an obscure “whatchamacallit” tool to advice on how to fix a leak, J.E. Womble is the place to go.
Dining delights
You might not expect a small town to serve up a broad menu of restaurant choices. If so, Lillington will surprise you. This growing Raleigh suburb is home to eateries for every taste.
Bringing a taste of Jersey to the South, The Garden State Grill is another popular place for lunch and dinner. Check out some of the unique items, like fried pickle sticks and Boardwalk fries, and then choose from a menu filled with amazing burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, seafood, and don’t forget the dessert. If you like your southern flavor from farther south of the border, Tacos Oaxaca is another Lillington restaurant that never disappoints. And of course, every town needs its hometown pizza place. In Lillington, that’s Lost Paddle Pizza on South Main Street, where you can dine on brick oven pizza with a view of the Cape Fear River. And the Lillington SportsZone is the town’s bar and grill that satisfies an appetite for sports and great food in one place.
Tips for Relocating to Lillington
Are you ready to relocate to this appealing Raleigh suburb? Here’s a guide for finding and buying a home in Lillington.
Visit the town
The best way to feel the quality of life in Lillington is to see it for yourself. Drive around the area to see the neighborhoods. Walk through Downtown Lillington and stop in at the shops, restaurants, and businesses, where you can chat with the locals.
Lillington is one of the best Raleigh suburbs for commuters. If you’re planning to commute from your new home, test drive it. Check the route during the time you’d be traveling to see how it fits with your plans.
Also, visit Lillington at different times of the day and evening, and on a weekend.
Plan your homebuying budget
Another benefit of buying a new home in Lillington, NC, is the cost of housing. It’s more affordable here than in Raleigh and other larger suburbs, about 6% less than the average in North Carolina and 14% less than the national average. Your homebuying budget stretches farther in Lillington, NC, so you can afford more home for your money.
If you’re considering a resale home, be sure to factor in the costs for renovation, repairs, and remodeling. Will the roof need to be replaced soon? How about large appliances like the furnace, water heater, and air conditioning system? Budget for these expenses in advance so you don’t become “house poor”, spending all of your money on the purchase of the resale home and having nothing left to transform it into what you want.
There’s also the potential risk involved in buying a resale home. People who flip homes might cut corners to turn the home around faster. And there are numerous safety risks that might not show up in a home inspection.
These extra costs and safety risks are the biggest reasons that homebuyers look at new construction. The entire home is covered by a warranty, including all of the appliances. You’re buying a home that is built to today’s current quality standards, including energy efficiency and indoor air quality. You also don’t need to deal with outdated wiring—like phone jacks and cabling that doesn’t meet today’s standards for fast, reliable connections.
Find new homes for sale in Lillington
Some simple online searches will show you MLS listings as well as homebuilders with new homes for sale in Lillington.
Find the right location
Do you want to be in or near Downtown Lillington or would you prefer something a bit more rural? If you’re commuting, you might want your home with easy access to major roads. Explore those areas and then narrow your new home search.
Identify the must-have features
Before you start shopping for a new home, make a list of the features that you must have, then those that you’d like to have. Use these priorities to evaluate your options when browsing homes for sale in Lillington, NC. Here are a few things to consider for your list:
- Number and types of rooms, including bedrooms, bathrooms, and flex space
- Proximity of owner’s suite to other bedrooms, particularly important for families with young children
- Outdoor living space, such as front porch and rear patio or deck
- Yard size
Once you’ve created this list, stick to it. Don’t be tempted to compromise on items you’ve already determined as important. You might think you can live with that concession now, but then live to regret the decision later!
Meet with homebuilders
Talk with a variety of homebuilders to learn their strengths, offerings, and pricing, so you can choose the best homebuilder for your new home.
Review their homes and building schedule
Talk to homebuilders who are building homes in Lillington. Find out what they have currently available along with their plans for future homes and communities. Move-in ready homes present the best choice for a homebuyer who’s on a tight schedule. Maybe you’re relocating to Lillington and want to get into a home before school starts. Or you’ve already sold your home and need to quickly make your move.
Research the builders
Talk to people who have bought and lived in the homes built by this company to learn their satisfaction. Check online reviews.
Ask the builder what distinguishes them from the other companies. What is their “brand”?
Tour several homes from this builder
Look closely at the quality of visible items, like doors, cabinets, windows, flooring, and finishes. Is the trim carefully applied so there are no gaps in the corners? Is the paint applied well? Look for ways that the builder either took extra care or, conversely, shortcuts.
Never compare price-per-square-foot
That’s like asking someone, “How much does it cost to go to dinner?” The answer depends on the type of place you want to dine at, the meal you order, whether you get appetizers and dessert, and many other factors. Price-per-square-foot is not an accurate measurement of a home’s value!
New homes for sale in Lillington, NC
New Home Inc. is building new homes for sale in Lillington in 2 communities right now.
Duncan’s Creek
Duncan’s Creek is nestled in a scenic location just outside Downtown Lillington. New construction single-family homes start at $299,700, and the homesites are at least a half-acre and as large as 1.3 acres—another benefit you won’t find in cities.
Our curated portfolio of Duncan’s Creek floor plans includes ranch-style and two-story homes, with up to 5 bedrooms for the 174 homes to be built here. You’ll have a variety of exterior styles that have been designed to complement one another while also giving your home a unique style. Every home design comes with options for personalizing the exterior and interior so you can distinguish your home.
Ready to move right away? Check out these quick move-in homes at Duncan’s Creek.
Heritage at Neill’s Creek
Heritage at Neill’s Creek is a rare find. We’re developing this new community with just 24 homesites, with lots sized from 0.5 to more than 2 acres. The community is designed with 2 cul-de-sacs, enhancing the privacy. Heritage at Neill’s Creek gives you the benefits of country living in a modern home!
Home prices start at $354,70, so affordable for brand new homes with large yards! We’ve assembled Heritage at Neill’s Creek floor plans with choices that give you a multitude of options for your new home. French Country, Craftsman, Traditional, Low Country, Modern Farmhouse, and English Country are some of the architectural styles available to you. And with our thoughtful design process, curb appeal is easily maintained from one home to the next.
You can choose one of these floor plans and let New Home Inc. build your dream home. Or browse our quick move-in homes at Heritage at Neill’s Creek—brand new construction with New Home Inc.’s elevated standard for standard features.
New Home Inc. gives you more
A new construction home is exciting. But not all new construction homes provide the same features.
As you’re looking at new homes for sale in Lillington, factor in all the extras that New Home Inc. includes:
- Smart home automation package
- Electric vehicle charging station rough-in
- ecoSelect Home Efficiency Program
- Whole home air filtration system
- Oversized kitchen island
- “Messy kitchen” service pantry
- Flex rooms
- Fully enclosed, secured smart home delivery zone
- CAT6 cabling for strong, reliable connections without dead zones
New Home Inc.’s “Future-Proof” homes are designed to meet your needs now and in the years ahead. Talk to us at New Home Inc. to explore restarting your life and buying a new home in Lillington, NC!
