Lake Norman is a popular destination north of Charlotte, North Carolina, with luxurious homes dotting its shores.
The lake was built by Duke Energy in the 1950s and 1960s as part of its Catawba-Watertree Hydro Project. The waterway includes 11 lakes and more than 225 miles of river in 14 total counties in the Carolinas, which holds 252 billion gallons of water, according to the utility company.
More than 25,000 people live beside the lakes and 16 million visitors use the waterway for recreation each year, according to Duke.
Lake Norman, the largest in the system, is known for its real estate and the private communities surrounding it that are populated by many NASCAR drivers and other athletes and celebrities.
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Like most of the country, the local real estate market slowed as the coronavirus pandemic kept would-be homebuyers shut in and left sellers wary of inviting house hunters into their homes. However, an increase in pending contracts indicates “that buyers are back in the market and ready to buy,” according to the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors.
In Catawba County, which is on the lake’s western banks, the number of pending sales was up 20.7 percent year-over-year in May, from 184 to 222, according to the Realtors group. The average number of days homes sat on the market was down 19.6 percent from 46 to 37.
While the average sale price was down slightly in May, the year-to-date sale price was up 6 percent compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Realtors.
Here’s a look at what you can get around Lake Norman in North Carolina with a $1 million budget:
Sherrills Ford - $995,000
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This new construction waterfront property includes a new boat slip off a quiet piece on the west bank of Lake Norman.
The 4,516-square-foot home includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms and two half-baths, according to the listing with Maia J. Smith of CK Select Real Estate.
Inside, the home features an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, according to the listing. The kitchen includes an island, wet bar, wine cooler and a hidden walk-in pantry.
Each bedroom includes an ensuite bath. The master suite features a bathroom with a rainfall shower, standalone tub and large walk-in closet.
The property also includes lots of space to enjoy the outdoors. In addition to the private boat slip, there is a deck, patio and a fire pit.
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Catawba - $975,000
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This waterfront home sits along the main channel near the northern end of Lake Norman in a gated community with walking trails and a garden.