Raleigh and Durham Named Best Places to Live in America

Posted by tbhadmin on May 24, 2023

Central North Carolina’s reputation as a wonderful place to work and live continues to grow, as people and companies move to the region.

Among the accolades and recognition: Raleigh and Durham tied for third place as “Best Places to Live in America” in US World News and World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings for 2023-2024.

Green Bay, Wisconsin came in first, followed by Huntsville, Alabama.

The designation was based on life quality, job market, housing affordability, cost of living, and desire to be here.

Among the categories analyzed, Raleigh and Durham scored highest in quality of life for access to museums, theaters, a thriving restaurant scene, parks, greenways, and college and professional teams.

Besides #3 in the best places to live in the country, U.S. News found Raleigh and Durham:

#29 in best places to retire
#1 in best places to live in NC
#13 in best places to live for quality of life, and
#21 fastest growing places

Contact Travars Built Homes about building your custom home in one of the most desirable locations in the nation.

Travars Built Homes builds incredible custom homes in Chatham County and surrounding regions extending into Alamance, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph and Wake Counties.

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We work with you to build your home the way you want it in Fox Oak, other available homes and land or on your lot in Pittsboro, Chatham County and surrounding regions extending into Alamance, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Randolph, and Wake counties.

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Raleigh and Durham Named Best Places to Live in America

Awards

Custom Home Builder Awards: Travars Built Homes wins Gold in the Chatham County Parade of Homes

This Travars Built Home was designed and built in Pittsboro, North Carolina. It was honored with a Gold award from the Chatham County Parade of Homes.

The exquisite countryside cottage was created by the Travars Built Homes team with an interesting medley of architectural designs. See examples from mountain house to modern farmhouse to arts and crafts. This home has superb craftsmanship with an incredible open floor plan filled with sunshine and space.

It was designed for indoor and outdoor living. The verandah style 8′ deep covered porch runs across the front of the home and culminates in a screen porch. Double sliding doors create a glass wall with access into the gathering room.

The thoughtful layout was designed with aging-in-place details such as a sunken step-down tub, roll in shower, extra wide hallway, and lever doors. A practical office is located off the first floor primary suite.

Storage space is tucked in everywhere. There are three pantries (a hidden pantry, bulk storage pantry and canning pantry), and extensive bookcases and cubbies. Wonderful cabinetry has lots of pull out drawers. There is also a walk-in storage room upstairs that’s bigger than the guest room.

Grounded with with lightly stained oak hardwood floors and wood-look tile in soft grey and blue, the welcoming open feel is further accentuated by a soaring 17 foot ceiling over the gathering area. A sloped roofline above the kitchen enables a clear sight line from the upstairs loft.

This Travars Built Home defines “custom home” with creative artistry inspired by the wooded countryside setting. It brings a mountain retreat feel of peacefulness and tranquility.

Photo Tour: Chatham County Parade of Homes Gold-winning Custom Home

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Custom Plans with Home Offices

Posted by Travars Built Homes on March 1, 2023

Home offices are now a top request in custom home floor plans

New house plans with home offices can give you an “office environment” within the comfort of your own space. Now that working from home is more common than ever, it’s no surprise that a first floor office has become a top request.

Plans with Home Offices Located Near the Kitchen

This home office is just inside the breakfast nook, separated by farmhouse style barn doors. This flexible layout lets in lots of natural light.

House Plans with a First Floor Office | Barn Doors for Office

Inside the home office, there’s lots of desk space to spread out and a window for natural light.

Plans with Downstairs Home Office | Blue Cabinets Built In

This office is also located near the kitchen. It is tucked away from most high-traffic zones so you can focus on work.

Home Office | Chapel Hill New Home Builder

Offices Located Near the Foyer

Looking for a more classic, traditional space? This first floor office has glass French doors, white wainscoting trim, and large windows.

First Floor Office | Wainscoting Walls in Office

Trey ceilings aren’t just for the living room anymore. This first floor office opens up into a trey:

Home Office Floor Plans | Chatham County Local Home Builders

Offices Located Near (or in) the Primary Suite

Just want a nook-style-office to work in, off the primary suite? Here’s one way to create your own space:

Plans with Home Offices | Office inside the Master Suite

When you look at floor plans for an office location, it may be clearly marked. If you don’t see a home office listed, consider using the dining room for an office (or second office) if you don’t need a formal dining room. Or ask us how we can modify a floor plan to meet your needs.

Design Gallery

Get home design ideas here – and see why every Travars Built Home is decidedly different. Our approach to custom building provides the flexibility to create your forever home the way you want it.

Hand-Crafted Kitchens with Custom Home Design Ideas

Living Rooms with Fireplaces, Built-In Bookcases, and Ceiling Beams

These living room examples showcase custom home design with: cedar fireplace mantels, stained wood ceiling beams, stacked stone, brick, board and batt, tile, and ship lap fireplace surrounds, built-in wooden shelving and cabinetry, and much more:

Living Room Built In Media | Mebane NC New Homes

Modern Farmhouse | Chapel Hill Custom Home

Custom Tile Showers

These en suite bathrooms feature custom tile showers with white subway tile, herringbone designs, built-in storage alcoves, dual shower heads, built-in tile benches, frameless and semi-frameless surrounds, and much more:

Custom Home Design Ideas: Formal Dining Rooms

Work From Home Offices

These home offices showcase built in desks and bookcases, glass French doors, white wainscoting walls, trey ceilings, sliding barn doors, and much more:

Floor Plans with a Home Office | Custom Home Design Ideas

Drop Zone Built In Storage Units for Custom Home Design Ideas

Chatham County New Home | Drop Zone Built-Ins

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HOMES & LAND / CUSTOM BUILD FOR SALE

MOVE IN READY. IN PROGRESS. COMING SOON.

Danbury Springs at Big Bear – COMING SOON

35 Big Bear Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2.5 Wooded Acres | $1,100,000

4047 sq ft under roof | 3020 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First floor: Primary suite plus guest suite. 3 car garage

See the Danbury Springs floor plan

Main floor primary suite PLUS guest suite
Formal dining
Two car side entry garage PLUS additional third bay carriage garage
Big island kitchen. Walk in pantry w/ built-in shelving
Bonus room
Big windows w/ wooded views
Welcoming covered front porch
Spacious covered screen porch
Certified energy efficiency w/ HERS score
Sealed crawl space, encapsulated, w/ fresh air makeup
Radiant roof barrier
2.5 acre lot in amazing location near Jordan Lake, minutes from Apex, RTP corridor

Build this home (or another custom floor plan) on your lot

See more available homes and land

Photo tours

Teesdale at Henderson Tanyard – MOVE IN READY

1147 Henderson Tanyard Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 5.9 Wooded Acres | $975,000

3,992 sq ft under roof | 3188 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

See the Teesdale floor plan

First floor primary suite
Private laundry room access through primary suite closet
Private guest suite, main floor
10 ft ceilings 1st floor (12 ft great room), 8 foot doors; 9 ft ceilings 2nd floor
Big windows w/ wooded views
Island kitchen w/ walk in pantry, soft close cabinetry
Bath access from every bedroom
Custom closets, cubbies, built-ins
12 ft floor to ceiling bookcase w/ library ladder
Loft w/ 9 ft floor to ceiling bookcase
Bonus room
Showcase staircase w/ coffered ceiling
Huge screen porch
Walk in attic storage
Sealed crawl space, radiant roof barrier, energy efficiency
Flat 5.9 acre wooded lot w/ space for future pool and/or accessory building

Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot.

Becton Park at Fox Oak, lot 3 – UNDER CONTRACT

71 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.10 Wooded Acres | $950,000

4,318 sq ft under roof | 3006 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

See the Becton Park floor plan

Main floor primary suite
Private guest suite, first floor
Formal dining or office
3 car oversized side load garage (2 bays + carriage)
Island kitchen w/ walk in pantry, copious cabinetry
12 ft ceiling, great room
2 story foyer
Bonus room
Big windows w/ wooded views
Artistic craftsmanship; trim to trey & built ins
Covered front porch
Vaulted screen porch
Energy efficiency; HERS score
Sealed crawl space
Radiant roof barrier
4+ acre wooded lot on cul de sac w/ space for future pool or accessory building

Build this home (or another custom floor plan) on your lot

See more available homes and land

Photo tours

Riverstone at Fox Oak, lot 5 – UNDERWAY NOW

98 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres | $985,000

3883 sq ft under roof | 3089 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

First floor primary suite
Island kitchen w/ window over sink & walk in pantry
Formal dining or office
Primary bath w/ water closet; separate tile shower & garden tub
Huge bonus room
Loft
Flex/craft room
Side garage
Sealed crawl space, radiant barrier, energy efficiency
4+ acre wooded lot at back of cul de sac w/ space for future pool and/or accessory building
Riverstone floor plan
Photo tour of a customized Riverstone
Contact us to see this homesite and tour a Travars Built Home
Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot
See more available homes and land
Photo tours

Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot.

Milledgeville at Hamlet’s Chapel – COMING SOON

4025 Hamlets Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 1.5 Wooded Acres | $965,000

3091 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

First floor owners and guest suite
Loft and bonus upstairs
Island kitchen with open concept living
Covered porches
Sealed crawl space, radiant roof barrier, energy efficiency
1.5 wooded acres

Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot.

Woodland at Bowman Bare – UNDER CONTRACT

727 Bowman Bare Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2 Acres

2930 sq ft under roof | 2231 heated sq ft | 4 Beds, 3 Baths

Modern Farmhouse
Island kitchen/dining, walk-in pantry
Butler’s pantry/coffee bar
First floor guest suite/office
Drop zone in mud/laundry room
Covered porches on front and back of home
Third party ecoSelect energy certification, w/ HERS score
See the Woodland floor plan

Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot.

Longview at the Lane in Cattail Creek – UNDER CONTRACT

145 Anneliis Ln, Siler City

3204 sq ft under roof | 2587 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Modern Farmhouse w/ welcoming covered front porch
Informal dining
Flex room/office/formal dining
Home office
Master suite w/ private entrance to laundry room
Drop zone in mud room
Screen porch
Third party ecoSelect energy certification, with HERS score

Build this home (or a different custom floor plan) on your lot.

Already own land, have a lot in mind, or want help finding a homesite? Contact us about land you’d like to build on across 12 counties in central NC, as well as more information about homes and land/custom build for sale on our lots in Chatham County.

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Phone

Location (Town/City, County)

Home Plan Type:
One StoryTwo StoryMain Floor Primary Suite

Must have:

Sq Ft:
2000 - 25002500 - 30003000 - 4000+

Build Budget with Site Work (Lot Additional):
500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K - Mil+

What would you like to know more about?

My New Home Portal

Sign in to see everything happening with the build of your Travars Built Home: Make selections. See progress. Browse photos. See allowances. Message your team. Your personal Co-Construct portal keeps everything organized and available to you, throughout your project.

Custom homes in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham

Blog

How to modify custom house plans

3. A larger shower in the master bathroom (and no tub)

Doing away with the tub isn’t for everyone – what do you prefer? One (larger) shower, or a “traditional” tub and shower combination?

Master Bathroom with No Tub | Custom House Plan

4. A bigger pantry with custom-height wood shelving, sink, microwave, and other personal touches

Modern Farmhouse Walk In Pantry
| Custom House Plans

5. A sun room or screen porch

North Carolina’s climate is great for sun rooms and screen porches that can be used year-round, especially when you add a cozy outdoor fireplace or outdoor kitchen!

6. A secret passage, secret pantry, or hideaway

Secret passageways can be tucked is so many places! Check out these ideas, with a secret door:

Under the staircase (leading from foyer to living room)
Between upstairs bedrooms
From the master closet and home office (using a Murphy bookcase door)
From the master closet to an expanded coat closet

Murphy Door Bookcase | Custom House Plan

Secrete Passage in Bedroom | Custom House Plans

Chatham County NC Custom Homes | Secret Passage in Closet

Secret Passage Under the Stairs | Custom House Plans

Build On Your Lot

Build your custom home on your lot

See more available homes and land

Explore Fox Oak custom home neighborhood

Photo tours

About Us

Every Travars Built Home starts with collaboration

Consider choices for cost effective floor plans that fit your lifestyle and budget.
Modify your layout to add multi-gen, accessible, or other custom changes.
Build your new home with high quality materials, craftsmanship, and a passion for home building.
Access turnkey services for the build of your home including permitting, site work, septic, well, and construction on your lot.
Choose between a wide array of options and upgrades. You will go over all options during design sessions with knowledgeable experts and local vendors. These vendors will help provide guidance for your selections.
Experience transparency on the timeframe to build your home. The construction start date determines the typical timeframe to build. The timeframe will depend on the size and type of home and the location of the build.
Receive an in-depth quote based on your specific location. The depth of detail included in your quote will help you know what to expect across the entire build process.

Chatham County Home Builders Association

Contact us to find out more about what it takes to build your new home.

Name (required)

Email (required)

Phone

Home Plan Type:
One storyTwo StoryMain Floor Primary Suite

Sq Ft:
2000 - 25002500 - 30003000 - 4000+

Build Budget w/ site work (Lot additional):
500 - 600K600 - 700K700 - 800K800 - 900K900K - Mil+

Where are you planning to build your new home?

Do you own a lot or would you like help finding one?

What's a good time to talk?

Category: TBH

Besides #3 in the best places to live in the country, U.S. News found Raleigh and Durham:

Search for floor plan?

Custom Home Builder Awards: Travars Built Homes wins Gold in the Chatham County Parade of Homes

Search for floor plan?

Home offices are now a top request in custom home floor plans

Plans with Home Offices Located Near the Kitchen

Offices Located Near the Foyer

Offices Located Near (or in) the Primary Suite

Hand-Crafted Kitchens with Custom Home Design Ideas

Request Custom Home Building Information:

Living Rooms with Fireplaces, Built-In Bookcases, and Ceiling Beams

Custom Tile Showers

Custom Home Design Ideas: Formal Dining Rooms

Work From Home Offices

Drop Zone Built In Storage Units for Custom Home Design Ideas

Search for floor plan?

MOVE IN READY. IN PROGRESS. COMING SOON.

Read more about Pittsboro’s new Fox Oak custom home neighborhood

Danbury Springs at Big Bear – COMING SOON

35 Big Bear Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2.5 Wooded Acres | $1,100,000

4047 sq ft under roof | 3020 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | First floor: Primary suite plus guest suite. 3 car garage

Teesdale at Henderson Tanyard – MOVE IN READY

1147 Henderson Tanyard Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 5.9 Wooded Acres | $975,000

3,992 sq ft under roof | 3188 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Becton Park at Fox Oak, lot 3 – UNDER CONTRACT

71 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.10 Wooded Acres | $950,000

4,318 sq ft under roof | 3006 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Riverstone at Fox Oak, lot 5 – UNDERWAY NOW

98 Fox Oak Trail, Pittsboro, NC | 4.2 Wooded Acres | $985,000

3883 sq ft under roof | 3089 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Milledgeville at Hamlet’s Chapel – COMING SOON

4025 Hamlets Chapel Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 1.5 Wooded Acres | $965,000

3091 sq ft | 4 Beds | 3 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Woodland at Bowman Bare – UNDER CONTRACT

727 Bowman Bare Rd, Pittsboro, NC | 2 Acres

2930 sq ft under roof | 2231 heated sq ft | 4 Beds, 3 Baths

Longview at the Lane in Cattail Creek – UNDER CONTRACT

145 Anneliis Ln, Siler City

3204 sq ft under roof | 2587 heated sq ft | 4 Beds | 2.5 Baths | Main Floor Primary Suite

Already own land, have a lot in mind, or want help finding a homesite? Contact us about land you’d like to build on across 12 counties in central NC, as well as more information about homes and land/custom build for sale on our lots in Chatham County.

Get custom home floor plans:

Our creative team can work with you to find the right plan, or modify custom house plans to include:

1. An open kitchen layout with large islands, built-ins, and window walls

2. Separated personal space with multi-gen, mother-in-law, or dual master layouts and amenities

Want to learn more about building a new home in Chatham County, North Carolina? Get started here:

3. A larger shower in the master bathroom (and no tub)

4. A bigger pantry with custom-height wood shelving, sink, microwave, and other personal touches

5. A sun room or screen porch

6. A secret passage, secret pantry, or hideaway

Own land? Have a lot in mind? Want help finding a home site? Contact us about land you’d like to build on across 12 counties in central NC

Stay involved and informed as we build your custom home on your lot or ours:

ON YOUR LOT

We can build your custom home in communities and countryside locations where you can “bring your own builder” with:

ON OUR LOTS

Build your custom home on land we already own in wonderful settings and prime locations, like Pittsboro’s new Fox Oak neighborhood and Chatham County countryside opportunities you see here.

Contact us to find out what it takes to build your new home on your lot or ours.

Every Travars Built Home starts with collaboration

Contact us to find out more about what it takes to build your new home.

Contact us to find out more about what it takes to build your new home.

Own land? Have a lot in mind? Want help finding a home site?
Contact us about land you’d like to build on across 12 counties in central NC