Costs and loans
What does it cost to build a house in the Triangle, and what do families forget?
National and regional build prices, where the money goes, and the Wake, Johnston and Raleigh fees to budget for.
Costs and loans
What it takes to get a lot ready, and how people pay to build.
Costs and loans
How does a construction loan work when you build a home in the Triangle?
How construction loans and one-time close loans differ, how the builder gets paid, what FHA, VA and USDA allow, and a North Carolina rule to know.
Costs and loans
How to hook up to city water and sewer near Raleigh and in Johnston County
The steps, offices and rules for connecting a new home to public water and sewer in six Wake towns and Johnston County's system, with Raleigh's 2026–27 connection fees and Johnston County's new monthly rates.
Costs and loans
How to get electricity to an empty lot in the Triangle, and who pays for the line
How to find out which utility serves your lot, how to apply for new service, and what two local co-ops' posted rules say about line-extension costs.
Costs and loans
What property tax will you pay on a new home in the Triangle?
How January 1 sets your tax, this year's county, town and fire rates in Wake, Johnston, Chatham and Durham, last year's county rate in Franklin, and when each county plans to reassess values.
Costs and loans
Buying land taxed at present-use value? What rollback taxes mean for you
How North Carolina's farm and forest tax deferral works, what comes due when you buy or build, who usually pays, and how to check a parcel first.