Lake Norman, NC Homes for Sale: The Most Coveted Properties in North Carolina

Lake Norman NC homes for sale are some of the most coveted properties in North Carolina. From waterfront homes to inland residential lots, buyers can choose from a wide range of real estate options.

Location

Located roughly 20 to 30 miles from Charlotte and 10 miles from Statesville, Lake Norman encompasses four counties in North Carolina, namely Catawba, Iredell, Mecklenburg, and Lincoln counties. North Carolina Highway 150 and Interstate

77 cross the lake at different points. Charlotte Douglas International Airport

is the nearest major airport and is approximately 40 miles from Lake Norman.

Unique features

Known as an inland sea, Lake Norman has over 520 miles of scenic shoreline. As the largest artificial freshwater lake in North Carolina, it has a surface area of over 32,475 acres, making it nearly as large as the 10 lakes on the Catawba River put together.

The surface of the lake is dotted with small islands. The shoreline is characterized by coves, beach areas, and waterfront homes. The Lake Norman Sandbar is one of the main attractions on the lake and is perfect for swimming. Lake Norman State Park is also known for its 125-foot sandy beach.

The lake also provides a significant amount  of power to Charlotte and the surrounding areas. The power plants that utilize Lake Norman typically use underwater steam vents, creating artificial hot springs in different parts of the lake.

Brief history

Duke Energy built the lake from 1959 and 1964 during the company’s construction of the Cowans Ford Dam. The lake gets its name from former company president Norman Cocke. Filling the lake with water took about two years and the shoreline would be formed soon after.

The bottom of the lake once belonged to the Catawba Native Americans, who resided on the land in 1600. Many towns were built on the land in the 1800s but these towns were cleared out for the Cowans Ford Dam after negotiations with the residents. The ruins of Mill Village and Long Island Cotton Mill can still be found at the bottom of the lake.

The creation of Lake Norman led to the development of 11 settlements near the water. In the early days of the lake, buyers could purchase an acre lot for less. For example, a lakefront lot from Duke Power for as low as $500 per acre in 1965. The construction of I-77 made Lake Norman properties more desirable with the population doubling in size.

What Lake Norman is known for

Lake Norman is a renowned lake destination. MSN named Lake Norman one of the 10 best lakes in the U.S. outside of the Great Lakes in 2018. The site also ranked Cornelius one of “the best lake towns” in the nation.

There are two public swimming beaches on Lake Norman, namely Ramsey Creek Park in Cornelius and Lake Norman State Park on the northern banks of the lake and approximately 40 miles from Uptown. Residents and visitors enjoy beach season year-round with Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day being the busiest times of the year.

In the summer, there are many boats docked in various marinas along the lake where visitors can enjoy live music, parties, and waterfront dining. Cocktail Cove is a popular hang-out spot for locals and tourists.

Lake Norman is also a well-known fishing spot. Its waters are filled with black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white bass, and yellow perch.

Lake Norman Real Estate

The housing markets around Lake Norman are hot this year with increased demand for single-family homes. Local Realtors are reportedly getting two to three times as many requests for home showings, rental applications, and real estate inquiries.

According to the Inman Opportunity Index, Lake Norman is one of several markets with the highest buying potential for single-family properties this year as work-from-home opportunities and low tax states prompts buyers to relocate across the United States.

According to Realtor, the Catawba side of Lake Norman has a median listing price of $700,000 or $244 per square foot as of June 2022. The median sold price hovers at $508,000.

Some of the most coveted properties in the area are waterfront homes with private docks, outdoor patios, and lake access. Buyers will also find an excellent selection of inland lots in a variety of layouts, sizes, and architectural styles.

Towns and cities

There are several towns nestled on the banks of Lake Norman, including:

• Catawba
• Cornelius
• Davidson
• Denver
• Huntersville
• Mooresville
• Sherrills Ford
• Troutman

These communities offer an array of homes along with world-class retail, dining, entertainment, and fishing and other water activities.

Is Lake Norman right for you?

Whether you’re looking for a vacation home or a primary residence, Lake Norman should be on your radar if you enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, or camping. The area offers countless recreational opportunities both on and off the water. Its towns and cities also have diverse housing options in an array of sizes, architectural styles, and prices.