A Local’s Guide to New Homes in Apex, NC

With its close proximity to high-paying tech jobs in Research Triangle Park and Raleigh, a vibrant downtown, high-quality schools and relatively affordable homes, Apex, North Carolina has become one of the most popular U.S. suburbs to move to in recent years.

A new-construction boom has accompanied that demand. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Apex issued construction permits for 2,241 housing units in 2018. Not only is that the most in the town-turned-city’s history, but also the most per capita of any city with a population above 50,000 last year.

Homebuyers have a fast-growing list of options, but how do you find the best new home in Apex for your needs? Below we’ve highlighted 11 of the most popular new housing developments in Apex, NC.

While there are many other new homes for sale in Apex, these neighborhoods are all conveniently located near Olive Chapel Road, which bisects much of the small city and is close to the schools. There is something for each type of buyer on this list, from new ranch homes to larger single-family homes to new townhomes.

Featuring new two-story homes available in 7 different floor plans, Abbey Run is situated close to Apex’s many shops and restaurants, just off Olive Chapel Road and close to the main freeways. Homebuyers can choose from 3 to 5 bedrooms and from 2.5 to 4 baths, and prices start at around $458,000. The new construction at Abbey Run was built by Garman Homes, which guarantees your closing date at the time of contract or they will give you $1,000 toward your closing costs.

Located in West Apex, the new single-family homes in Arcadia West are currently available in 6 different floor plans with 2 or 3 stories and between 3 and 6 bedrooms. Home prices start at around $358,000.

The homebuilder of Arcadia West is Meritage Homes, which has built 300 new-home communities in 9 states and prides itself on its energy-efficient floor plans and construction.

The new Buckhorn Preserve housing development is just a few minutes from Apex Friendship High School and the Apex Nature Park, but it will soon offer amenities of its own with two saltwater pools and a clubhouse. The new homes in Buckhorn Preserve are divided into three collections, including two-story homes with 3 bedrooms in the Sterling Collection, ranch homes with 2 bedrooms in the Garnet Collection, and ranch homes with 2 to 3 bedrooms in the Diamond Collection.

Starting at around $340,000, Buckhorn Preserve homes are built by Lennar, which operates in 21 states and is one of the 3 largest homebuilders in the Triangle area.

Conveniently located near the intersection of I-64 and NC 540, Chelsea Run features new two-story, single-family homes available in 8 different floor plans. Many of the new homes incorporate stylish use of a front porch, second-story porch or both. Starting at around $380,000, these quick move-in homes range from 3 to 6 bedrooms and include from 2.5 to 4 bathrooms.

Chelsea Run homes are built by Mungo Homes, which became part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies in late 2018.

Built by Meritage Homes like Arcadia West, and also located in West Apex, Deer Creek offers a slightly lower price for its new two-story homes, starting at around $320,000. Available in 5 floor plans, the homes in Deer Creek are generally a bit smaller than those found in Arcadia West, topping out at 2,746 square feet and featuring 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a half bath and a 2-car garage.

Homebuilders: Meritage Homes (Park at McKenzie Ridge, Manors at McKenzie Ridge) and Baker Residential (Manors at McKenzie Ridge)

Meritage Homes features similarly priced homes to Deer Creek in its Park at McKenzie Ridge development, as well as larger, more upscale homes starting at around $540,000 in the Manors at McKenzie Ridge. With a presence in the Carolinas and the Northeast, homebuilder Baker Residential also provides new homes for sale in the Manors, starting at around $455,000. Located in southwest Apex, the McKenzie Ridge neighborhood has spacious natural surroundings, including ponds, wetlands and a play lawn.

A reference to our city motto stating that “Apex is the peak of good living,” Peak 502 grants homebuyers access to a community pool and places them close to shops and the highways. Prices start at around $294,000 for the new townhomes and at around $400,000 for these new single-family homes in Apex. Built by Beazer Homes, which operates in 13 states, the townhomes in Peak 502 range from 3 to 4 bedrooms, while the single-family homes offer 3 to 6 bedrooms.

Built by Apex newcomer Shenandoah Homes and finished in 2017, the large new homes in Saddlebrook offer sophisticated designs complemented by surrounding ponds and greenspaces. Homes are available in three general styles, including The Churchill Series starting in the mid-$400,000s, The Belmont Series starting in the high-$400,000s, and The Buckhorn Series starting in the mid-$500,000s. Saddlebrook is located just off Olive Chapel Road in West Apex.

A new neighborhood full of underway amenities such as a pool with cabanas, a clubhouse, community gardens and dog parks, Smith Farm features a range of new townhomes and single-family homes built by Lennar. Homebuyers can choose from 5 collections, including townhomes in the Frazier Collection starting at around $290,000, and single-family homes priced from around $333,000 to around $507,000.

Stillwater is another more upscale new-home neighborhood with properties built by both Beazer Homes and a collection of custom-home builders. The Beazer homes start at around $410,000 and range from 3 to 6 bedrooms, while the custom homes are generally pricier and include 4 to 5 bedrooms. The Stillwater neighborhood offers a pool, clubhouse, fitness center and walking trail, and is situated just south of Olive Chapel Road in West Apex.

Featuring a six-lane swimming pool and a planned 45-acre commercial center, Sweetwater will soon provide a lot of living essentials within its community connected by its Creekside Greenway Trail. While the initial Townhome Collection has sold out, there are new single-family homes available in six other collections, with starting prices ranging from the $300,000s to the $700,000s.

The homes in Sweetwater are built by Cal-Atlantic — another of the big 3 homebuilders in the area — along with Lennar and some custom builders.

We hope you’ve found this guide helpful in your search for an ideal home in Apex. Our real estate landscape is changing quickly, and it helps to have an experienced local’s point of view. If you would like help with a custom home search, please do not hesitate to contact me, Apex Realtor Drew Ludlow, through the form below.