What luxury looks like: $2 million homes in the Triangle

Luxury homes continue to be in high demand around the Triangle area, which is influencing the changing look of the region. Yet, much of the demand for luxury in the Triangle is driven by location, current trends, and the growth of the entire region. If you’re looking for luxury — or curious about what it looks like — keep in mind that $2 million homes in the Triangle can look very different depending upon where you’re located.

While luxury homes typically use elevated materials that are distinct to an upscale home, it’s often the location and amenities that can vary. Here’s what to know about the locations where you can find luxury homes in the $2-3 million price range.

If you purchase a home Inside the Beltline (ITB) or North Hills, you are choosing to live in one of the most coveted spots in the Triangle. Many buyers know that the ITB and North Hills areas offer prestige because of the premium locations in the heart of Raleigh. It’s also where some of the city’s most exciting shopping, dining, and work opportunities is readily available. Most luxury homes currently built Inside the Beltline are infill homes. With infill, a builder purchases an under-utilized parcel of land within an urban area. And in Raleigh, builders are using infill opportunities to build luxury homes, which are in high demand.

Because many of the homes Inside the Beltline are designed to fit Raleigh’s distinct, historic home styles, expect luxury homes in this area to be a traditional style home. Also, because infill is within the city, these luxury homes fit on smaller parcels of land. That means buyers may be trading sprawling land in more rural parts of the Triangle for a city’s convenience and walkability. However, for $2-3 million, buyers can expect exceptional details, like expansive windows, curated finishes, elegant entertainment spaces, gourmet kitchens with sculleries, and spa-like private bathrooms in the master’s suite.

Meanwhile, North Hills is a trendy luxury location centered around an upscale lifestyle. For homeowners looking for opportunities here, North Hills has a blend of modern-meets-traditional that is creating a distinct vibe for the area. A home here features stunning, high-end finishes.A nd like that of the homes Inside the Beltline, they stand out in the details. Yet, these homes tend to come with slightly more land than those within the city itself. That means there may be room to add a pool or larger outdoor entertainment area.

The smaller communities just north of Raleigh are starting to become the most popular destinations for luxury living. While Wake Forest has long been a draw for upscale living, Franklin County — home to smaller communities like Louisburg, Youngsville, and Franklinton — is growing in popularity. These locations are hotspots for those who want more land and specific flourishes within their $2 million homes in the Triangle.

Like most other locations, luxury homes in these locations feature chef’s kitchen with sculleries or butler’s pantries, expansive entertainment areas, a massive owner’s retreat with a spa-like bathroom, and more. However, many of the upgrades in these communities — particularly the ones that add to the homes’ level of luxury — are what many buyers expect. For $2 to $3 million, homes in these locations often come with heated pools, distinctly designed patios, and other outdoor living areas that make the most of these serene, rural communities.

As the Triangle expands, a natural growth spot has been in Chatham County, where Jordan Lake and Pittsboro have been an outstanding location for luxury homes. Luxury homes throughout this area provide an unparalleled mix of benefits. They tend to be traditional estate-style homes with sprawling, wooded acreage near Jordan Lake.

Like the rest of the luxury homes in this price range, these beautifully-detailed homes include gourmet kitchens, full guest suites, flex spaces, formal dining areas, and living areas that open to heavily wooded backyard views. Some of these homes are a short distance to Lake Jordan, and many have inground pools — or plenty of space left to build them. In other words, this area has plenty of amenities for the entire family to enjoy.

Durham and Chapel Hill — the two other anchor cities of the Triangle — are much like the City of Raleigh in that there isn’t a massive amount of land available in the heart of these communities. However, that isn’t preventing luxury home development. Many of the luxury homes in these communities are within master-planned communities built on former farmland or modern golf courses. And because so much former farmland is available throughout Orange County, many builders are taking advantage of this land to build stately homes on acres of land.

From traditional to modern and transitional, these $2 million homes in the Triangle have a variety of facades that depend on location, such as within the city or more rural. However, like other luxury homes throughout the area, they feature distinct tiling, modern finishes, sliding patio doors, gourmet kitchens with sculleries, and stunning outdoor living spaces.

If you have the budget for $2 million homes in the Triangle, there are many options available to help you live comfortably no matter what you’re looking for. Whether it’s the fast-paced life of the city or something more cozy and peaceful, $2 million will give you luxury and all of the amenities — both inside and out — that you’re looking for.