Your Sanford, NC Real Estate Questions Answered

Looking for a small-town living but need to be near the Triangle area? Try Sanford, NC. This historic industrial center is a part of the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area, about 30 miles southwest of Raleigh. Sanford is known for its pottery, walkable downtown area, and peaceful suburban neighborhoods. It’s also one of the more affordable areas in the Triangle metro based on the overall cost of living.

Are you thinking about moving to Sanford? Learn about the Sanford real estate market and some frequently asked questions homebuyers have about the area.

What is the average price of a home in Sanford, NC?

The median list price in Sanford, NC, was $269,900 in February 2022. This is a 19% increase from the previous year.

Sanford has a range of architectural styles, from historic cottage homes to more contemporary suburban styles. There were 380 homes for sale in Sanford, NC, ranging from $10,000 for undeveloped quarter-acre lots to $1.9 million for a 1,650 sq ft home with 72 acres. The average home spent 41 days on the market.

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Sanford, NC? 

Townhomes and condos are typically more affordable than single-family homes. Sanford does have options for you, ranging in price from $199,900 to $212,900 in April 2022. Only three homes were on the market, primarily as duplexes.

What is the property tax rate for Sanford, NC?

The City of Sanford’s property tax rate for 2021-22 was $0.62 per $100 assessed valuation. The Lee County Government collects taxes for residents living in Sanford’s city limits.

Lee County assessed $0.77 per $100 property tax in 2021. There are also several fire districts to that you may owe tax.

Residents pay a $310 sanitation fee that covers the cost of lawn waste collection, garbage removal, and the compost facility’s operation.

What county is Sanford, NC, in?

Sanford is in Lee County. The county prides itself on traditional values like family, faith, and country. In 2022, it had a population of about 63,000 people. The county seat is also Sanford. 

The county’s largest employers are Central Carolina Hospital, Lee County Schools, and General Dynamics. Lee County operates 29 public schools, including 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, and eight high schools. 

If you’re looking for outdoor activities, Lee County has plenty. Check out the Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River or one of the many golf courses in Sanford. Attend the Poetry Out Loud Festival or one of Sanford’s weekly town square concerts. Or, take a short drive to the Carolina Tiger Rescue to learn about the big cats.

What is the cost of living in Sanford, NC?

Based on the Cost of Living Index, the cost of living in Sanford is about 20% below the national average and 10% below the state average. Residents spent below average in each category, with housing prices falling 39% below the national average.

Is Sanford, NC growing?

According to the U.S. Census, the population of Sanford grew by 7% from 2010 to 2020, or just over 2,000 residents. The median age in Sanford is 34.1 years, and about 52.6% of the population is female. 

Lee County is growing, and it is expected to have 12.5% more residents by 2030. It had 63,285 residents in 2020.

What neighborhoods are in Sanford, NC?

Sanford offers an eclectic choice of housing in its neighborhoods and subdivisions, each with its own amenities and price range.

The most expensive neighborhoods were Falling Waters, Westlake Valley, Wildwood, Sprout Springs. Most listings here in April 2022 had prices or home values over $700,000.

The most affordable neighborhoods were Cedar Lake, Longview Acres, and Olde Jonesboro. Prices in these neighborhoods were in the $100,000s-$200,000 range.

Carolina Trace had the most available listings with 12 homes on the market for an average $154 price per sq ft. Carolina Trace is a more established neighborhood with many sub-sections.

For new construction, the communities under development in 2022 were 78 South, Brantley Place, Hayden Villas, and Autumnwood.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Sanford, NC? 

Several creeks run through Sanford, providing some waterfront options. These include Little Buffalo Creek, Big Buffalo Creek, Persimmons Creek, Skunk Creek, Carrs Creek, and Masters Creek.

To live with access to Lake Holiday, look in Westlake Valley. Lake Trace has the largest waterfront near Sanford and is part of the Carolina Trace community. Only human-powered craft and electric motors are allowed on the lake. 

The landscape is dotted with small lakes and ponds that add to your waterfront options. The McCracken Heights, Bridge’s Pond, and Muirfield areas have a few ponds and a creek for more options.

How is golf in Sanford, NC?

Sanford is home to the Carolina Trace Country Club and its two 18-hole golf courses. The semi-private club has three membership plans: social, sports, and golf. Social members have access to all dining and event spaces, the pool, and tennis courts. Sports members can use the fitness center, basketball court, and sand volleyball court in addition to the social amenities. Golf members have access to all areas of the club, including the course.

Sanford Golf Course is a municipal course. Donald Ross designed this 18-hole course in 1934. This is North Carolina golf at its finest, with fairway-lined pine trees, lovely azaleas, and a stunning view of Buffalo Creek on the back nine.

South of town is the Tobacco Road Golf Club, ranked by Golf Course Architecture as no. 50 of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. Tobacco Road is a relatively young course, founded in 1998. Mike Strantz allowed the rolling landscape to develop into one of golf’s most demanding layouts. A player’s mental and physical abilities will be tested on this course.

Are there golf course communities in Sanford, NC? 

Carolina Trace is a gated golf course community south of Sanford along Lake Trace. Carolina Trace has been selected as one of America’s 100 Best Master-Planned Communities by Where to Retire Magazine for the fifth consecutive time. There are over 1,600 homes divided into various communities with different home styles and prices.

Community amenities include two championship courses and a clubhouse with fine and casual dining, a full-service Pro Shop, tennis courts, swimming pool, a fitness center and exercise rooms, walking trails, boat storage, and a boat launch.

What areas are near Sanford, NC?

Sanford is located in central North Carolina between Raleigh and the Pinehurst area. The closest large city is Raleigh, which is about 45 minutes away. Durham, home of Duke University, is also about 45 minutes and makes for a great day trip for shopping or live shows.

Pinehurst and Southern Pines, about 30-40 minutes away, are known as the home of golf in North Carolina. These golfing resorts have over nine golf courses. Pinehurst was the site of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open Championships. In addition to golf, there are many shopping and dining options in Pinehurst and Southern Pines. 

Fayetteville and Fort Bragg are under an hour away. Fayetteville is home to the Airborne & Special Forces Museum and the Museum of the Cape Fear. Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world, is also accessible through Spring Lake.

Just east of Sanford is Raven Rock State Park. This park offers hiking, camping, fishing, and picnicking opportunities. The park also has a rich history dating back to the Civil War.

Jordan Lake is about 30 minutes northeast of Sanford. This lake is a great spot for fishing, swimming, and boating. There are many camping and picnicking sites around the lake.

What to know about living in Sanford, NC

Sanford is a great place to live if you love golf, the outdoors, and a small-town feel. There are many recreational and entertainment options for all ages in its central location.

Sanford is located in central North Carolina, making it a convenient drive to Raleigh, Durham, and Pinehurst. Residents have access to small-town living with the amenities of a larger city nearby when needed. Day-to-day living is quiet and peaceful without urban congestion. The town has a historic downtown area with shopping and dining options. There are also many parks and recreation areas and golf courses.

If you’re looking at living in Sanford, contact a local real estate agent to find the right neighborhood for you.