North Carolina is not only known for being “First in Flight,” as its motto (and a license plate) reminds everyone that the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight was achieved at Kitty Hawk, NC in 1903. The state is also said to have had the first New World colony, in 1583, on Roanoke Island, just off the coast of North Carolina. The colony did not survive, however, so Jamestown, VA became known as the first colony.

In 1606, King James I granted to the Virginia Company of London land that included present-day North Carolina. Although evidence of condos go back as far as the Middle Ages in Europe, they were not copied in the early settlers’ buildings in any of the New World colonies. Life was harsh in the colonies, and it was all the early settlers could manage to build a small hut or log cabin on their plot of land. 

Condo development in the U.S. took off when Congress passed amendments to the National Housing Act in 1961. This allowed the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to insure condo mortgages, which had been one of the problems with condo sales. In 1963, the NC legislature passed its own statute, the Unit Ownership Act, which was basically the federal act with minor modifications. This act caused the sale of North Carolina condos to take off.

These acts didn’t solve all the problems with condo sales, however, according to the conducted by the UNC School of Law. Unlike typical real estate sales between two parties, the seller and the buyer, condo sales require cooperation between three parties: the developer, the individual buyer, and the condo association that collects fees from the owners and is responsible for upkeep of the common areas that all owners share. Although the three parties have many similar interests, each also has its own goals, which can be conflicting. In 1987, North Carolina was one of nine states that passed Uniform Condominium Acts to resolve many of the issues of North Carolina condo sales. North Carolina Law Review

North Carolina had a population of 10,701,022 people as of 2021. Charlotte is the state’s largest city, with 827,097 residents, according to World Population Review. Historically a mostly rural state, its urban areas experienced tremendous growth over the past 30 years so that most NC residents now live in cities and suburbs, with a fairly high population density of 197 people per square mile.

The state’s racial makeup as of the 2020 census was 68.68% white, 21.44% Black or African American, 2.85% Asian, 2.66% two or more races, 1.21% Natige American, and .07% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.

If you’re looking to buy a condo in North Carolina, you will find them throughout the state, from the mountains in the west to the ocean in the east, the large cities and the smaller towns. 

Even highly sought, North Carolina beachfront condos can be found at many price points all along the NC coastline, ranging from $162,000 for a 1 BR/1BA condo on North Topsail Beach, to condos in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina priced at $4.8 M for a 7BR/7BA oceanfront unit. Wrightsville Beach also has waterfront condos on the Intracoastal Waterway, with docks to keep your boat and unparalleled views from your back deck.

Across the bridge from Wrightsville Beach, in Wilmington, condos are more affordable at $135K for a 2 BR/2BA and $192K for a 3BR/2BA. Meanwhile, three-bedroom condos in Charlotte are offered for sale from $200,000 to $1.5M. Amenities like a pool and beautiful grounds add to the price, while fixer-uppers might be bargain-priced for someone who is handy and can take on the renovation project. 

Raleigh is the state capital, and the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill region is known as the Research Triangle for the hundreds of businesses surrounding Research Triangle Park, and the three top universities there: Duke University, NC State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Most condos for sale in Raleigh are priced from $200,000 to $550,000. North of Raleigh is Durham, where condos are priced comparably to Raleigh. Winston-Salem, in the northwestern part of the state, has condos priced from the low $100Ks; nearby High Point has some even less, for just under $100K. Way to the west in the Blue Ridge Mountains, 2 BR/2BA condos can be found in Asheville for the mid-$200s.

When pricing condos, be prepared to pay Homeowners Association (HOA) dues monthly, which can be expensive. These dues are collected and saved to pay expenses like the upkeep on a pool and tennis courts, salaries for landscapers and replacing trees that die in common areas, and long-range expenses like a new roof. HOA fees can range from a modest $100/month to $1,000/month. 

Before agreeing to buy a condo, ask what the HOA dues cover; at some condo complexes dues might pay utilities like heat and water. HOAs also set a slate of rules that all owners must follow, and these differ widely from one HOA to another. Be sure to ask for a copy of the HOA rules—even if you have to pay for them—and read them. Better to find out that your hand painted flower pots are not permitted where they can be seen on your deck before you sign on the dotted line.

North Carolina is a part of the Southeastern U.S. and has a subtropical climate in most areas. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold and wet, with occasional snow. 

The state’s three geographical regions are the swampy, gently sloping Coastal Plains, the Piedmont Division with its hard rock, sloping hills and steeper area leading to the mountains, and the Mountain Division of western NC. The state’s average elevation is 500 meters above sea level.

Summer temperatures rarely go above 80 degrees F, and nights are cool. Winters are usually mild, with temperatures ranging from 20 degrees F to 45 degrees F. Average precipitation is 45 inches and is spread out throughout the year, although summer is the wettest season and autumn is the driest. Snow, when it does fall, is usually no more than 2 inches, except for the high mountains, which can average as much as 16 inches annually.

From Appalachian State University to Duke, Wake Forest and UNC Chapel Hill plus its five other campuses, North Carolinians can attain a world class education without leaving the state. NC is also home to a vast system of community colleges where you and your family can learn a skill for employment or get a head start on a four-year degree.

If you’re not quite sold on buying a North Carolina condo, or aren’t sure where in the state to buy it, consider this:

• The east coast of NC is lined with beaches big and small.

• The west coast of NC is lined with mountains for skiing, fishing, and breathtaking views to ponder.

• NC condos come in sizes and prices to fit every budget.

Now all you have to do is decide where in NC you want to learn, explore, and live. It’s all here. The choice is up to you.