DigsDigest: Pads with porches

DigsDigest: A RALtoday series where we spotlight the perfect digs to fit your budget.

We’re back for another conversation about real estate. This time: houses with unbeatable porches.

Did you know front porches were an architectural and cultural response to the humid, subtropical climate of the American South? Not only did they function historically as outdoor sitting areas, but they were also a staging area to receive visitors and prepare for journeys.

In other words, porches are quintessential to Southern living, so we’ve rounded up TK of our favorite listings currently on the market with outdoor living space we can’t get enough of.

As we all know, the real estate market in Raleigh and around the Triangle can be quite a wild ride — our city is full of economic opportunity, new development, great restaurants, hip music venues + fun cultural events. (And it’s easy on the eyes.)

DYK: The City of Raleigh recently voted to allow the use of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and Cottage Courts — a grouping of small houses that face a centralized courtyard + share a driveway — on private properties. Bonus: property owners can now establish these types of units without going through the City’s rezoning process.

As the Triangle continues to welcome hundreds of new residents each day, we know that housing is a big topic for the community. We want to hear from you — what questions, comments, or concerns do you have about density, types of housing, development incentives, and affordability in our area? Email us to join the conversation + keep scrolling to see our favorite homes for porch sitting.

House #1: Bedford at Falls River, HOA community

📍4700 Falls River Avenue, Raleigh
📐4,340 square feet
🛏️ 5 bedrooms
🛁 5 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $675,000

Built in 2007, this home sits on ⅓ acres and features a covered, L-shaped front porch complete with ceiling fans to keep that air circulating on a hot summer’s day. Bonus: the fenced backyard is complete with a paved patio and outdoor fireplace. View the complete listing here.

House #2: Lush backyard on the golf course

📍11313 Empire Lakes Drive, Raleigh
📐5,177 square feet
🛏️ 4 bedrooms
🛁 3 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $1,075,000

We just love this home’s two-story colonnade front porch, but things get really homey out back. A peninsular back porch — complete with gazebo — overlooks a backyard oasis, including a paved patio, mature landscaping + the 8th green of the Brier Creek Country Club. View the complete listing here.

House #3: Shade for summer, outdoor fireplace for winter

📍1216 Hunting Ridge Road, Raleigh
📐4,148 square feet
🛏️ 5 bedrooms
🛁 4 bathrooms
💰 $950,000

This spacious ITB home features not one, but two covered porches in the front and back of the house. The back porch additionally offers a stone, outdoor wood-burning fireplace + access to the paved patio. View the complete listing here.

House #4: Suburban charm, FSBO

📍11013 Cokesbury Lane, Raleigh
📐2,102 square feet
🛏️ 4 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $370,000

Built in 2000, this craftsman style home features a classic front porch perfect for sitting with visitors, greeting neighbors, or simply enjoying your latest read. View the complete listing here.

House #5: The only one on this list with a pool

📍9204 Sanctuary Court, Raleigh
📐3,060 square feet
🛏️ 4 bedrooms
🛁 3 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $545,000

From the porch-less front door, you’d never guess this home has a backyard paradise waiting. The screened-in back porch looks out over a lush fenced yard, complete with saltwater pool, and a raised sundeck. View the complete listing here.

House #6: Your very own treehouse

📍7908 Sandy Bottom Way, Raleigh
📐3,065 square feet
🛏️ 4 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $497,900

This home in Northwest Raleigh has a front porch, a back deck, and a wooded ¼ acre lot. Bonus: it’s located just 10 minutes from Umstead State Park, so you can get even more outdoor time in. View the complete listing here.

House #7: Easy access to I-540

📍1904 Topsfield Court, Raleigh
📐3,091 square feet
🛏️ 3 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $449,000

The back porch of this home spans the entire width of the building, affording views of the densely wooded lot behind. Sip your coffee in the morning and pretend you’re living in your very own mountain getaway. View the complete listing here.

House #8: Charming split-level

📍5016 Lakemont Drive, Raleigh
📐1,848 square feet
🛏️ 4 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms
💰 $425,000

We just love the pergola style front porch of this cottage-y home in Northwest Raleigh. Built in 1967, it also boasts a backyard that could be “your very own oasis.” View the complete listing here.

House #9: New build near Brier Creek

📍10530 Sablewood Drive #102, Raleigh
📐2,834 square feet
🛏️ 3 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms + 2 half baths
💰 $619,900

This townhome features tons of natural light and a spacious, open floor plan — but the highlights for us include an upstairs porch accessed from the master bedroom + a personal elevator that takes you up to your very own rooftop terrace. View the complete listing here.
House #10: The most porches on this list

📍1517 Yucca Trail, Raleigh
📐2,006 square feet
🛏️ 3 bedrooms
🛁 2 bathrooms + 1 half bath
💰 $360,000

Not one, not two — but three porches to love. The front porch is covered to keep you protected from the elements, plus there’s a screened-in back porch and an open-air back porch to serve your various entertainment and relaxation needs. View the complete listing here.

Poll