Why Fuquay-Varina is One of North Carolina’s Best Small Towns to Build a Custom Home
If you’ve been searching for the perfect place to put down roots in the Triangle area, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about Fuquay-Varina. What started as two charming small towns connected by a timber rail line has become one of North Carolina’s most desirable communities, and for good reason!
With a population that’s grown from just over 34,000 in 2020 to nearly 50,000 today…
Fuquay-Varina is experiencing the kind of thoughtful growth that enhances rather than overwhelms its character.
This unique blend of small-town authenticity and modern development makes it an ideal location for families considering building a custom home. Especially those looking for commuter-friendly connections to the greater Triangle, NC & RTP area.
Two Downtowns, One Exceptional Community
Fuquay-Varina’s most distinctive feature is right there in the name. When Fuquay Springs and Varina merged in 1963, they preserved both historic downtown districts, giving residents twice the walkable charm. Downtown Fuquay centers around the historic Mineral Spring Park and the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, while downtown Varina anchors around the preserved historic train depot on Broad Street.
Both districts have earned recognition as North Carolina Main Street Communities, part of a national network committed to preservation-based economic development. What does this mean for you? A thriving mix of locally-owned restaurants, craft breweries (four and counting), boutique shops, and year-round community events that create the kind of neighborhood feel that’s increasingly rare in rapidly growing areas.
Busy street in Downtown Fuquay-Varina, NC
Shops Along the Main Street in Downtown Fuquay-Varina
The town has invested heavily in making these downtowns pedestrian-friendly, with recent additions including expanded parking, high-visibility crosswalks, and ADA-compliant improvements. New mixed-use developments like The Q—featuring retail, dining, and residential spaces—are carefully designed to complement rather than replace the historic character that makes Fuquay-Varina special.
Award-Winning Schools in a Family-Friendly Community
For families, education is often the deciding factor when choosing where to build. Fuquay-Varina is part of the Wake County Public School System, the largest in North Carolina and consistently ranked among the top-performing large systems in the nation.
The town currently serves students through seven elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and two public charter schools. What’s particularly notable is the investment in new facilities to keep pace with growth—including the recent opening of a new middle school on Bowling Road and the addition of Hilltop Needmore Elementary.
With nearly 27% of Fuquay-Varina’s population under 18 years old, this is a genuinely family-oriented community. The median household income of $111,447 and a poverty rate below 9% reflect a stable, thriving population. Perhaps most telling: nearly 50% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and you’re within 45 minutes of three Tier 1 research universities (NC State, Duke, and UNC Chapel Hill).
Parks, Recreation, and Room to Breathe in the great outdoors
The town’s commitment to quality of life extends well beyond its schools, especially when it comes to curating beautiful, natural outdoor reserves and recreational spaces.
In 2023, Fuquay-Varina residents overwhelmingly approved (63% yes vote) a $79 million recreation bond to fund major park expansions and a new indoor recreation center.
This investment will bring the 56-acre Cass Holt Road Park, complete with athletic fields, courts, a skate park, splash pad, trails, and a 93,000-square-foot indoor recreation center. Add to this the existing network of parks, greenways, and proximity to Bentwinds Golf & Country Club, and you have a community that prioritizes active, outdoor living.
For those who value convenience, you’re getting small-town living without sacrificing access to big-city amenities. Major retail developments like Gold Leaf Crossing (with Target opening in 2026) are bringing expanded shopping options, while maintaining the character that drew people here in the first place.
Fuquay-Varina’s newest community center is a state-of-the-art, multi-generational facility designed to bring the community together through recreation, fitness, education, and cultural programs.
The Custom Home Advantage in Fuquay-Varina
Here’s where the conversation shifts from “where to live” to “how to live.” In a market as hot as Fuquay-Varina, many buyers assume they’ll need to compromise — settling for a resale home that’s almost right or a builder-grade new construction with limited customization.
But there’s another option: building a true custom home with an award-winning custom home builder near me who knows this community inside and out. (Like us, Fuquay-Varina’s second-generation residential builders, Massengill Design-Build).
The Reality of Resale Homes in Growing Markets
When you’re shopping for resale homes in Fuquay-Varina, you’re often competing with multiple offers, waiving inspections, and paying premium prices for homes that still require updates to match your vision. That kitchen you’ll want to renovate? The dated bathrooms? The layout that doesn’t quite work for your family? Factor in those renovation costs, and the “deal” on a resale home quickly becomes less appealing.
More importantly, resale homes in established neighborhoods were built for someone else’s needs, not yours. You’re inheriting previous owners’ choices, maintenance decisions, and sometimes, deferred problems that don’t surface until you’ve already signed the papers.
The Custom Build Difference
Building custom means starting with exactly what you want — from the floor plan to the fixtures, from energy efficiency features to the flow of your daily life. At Massengill Design-Build, we believe the details matter: curbless showers, rounded wall corners, recessed dryer vents for clean lines, and built-in refrigerator bays that elevate everyday living. These aren’t just upgrades, they’re thoughtful design choices that make your home work better for decades.
In Fuquay-Varina, where new home communities are thoughtfully planned alongside preserving the town’s character, custom home builders can help you secure premium lots in desirable locations before they hit the general market. You’re not just getting a home; you’re choosing your neighborhood, your lot, and your lifestyle.
Why Local Builders Matter
This is where working with a second-generation, family-owned builder with roots in Fuquay-Varina makes all the difference.
At Massengill Design-Build, we’ve been part of this community for over three decades, watching the town grow from its quieter days to today’s thoughtfully managed expansion. That history means we understand the local building codes, the best subcontractors, the neighborhoods where property values are strongest, and how to navigate the building process efficiently.
We’re not building in dozens of markets across multiple states. We’re building where we live, for neighbors we’ll see at downtown events and local breweries. That accountability matters. When a builder’s reputation is tied to the community they call home, quality isn’t optional; it’s personal.
Mike Riddick and Blake Massengill, Co-Owners of Massengill-Design Build, Semi-Custom & Custom Homebuilders in Fuquay-Varina
The Financial Reality
Many prospective homeowners assume custom building is out of reach, but the math often tells a different story. When you factor in:
Current mortgage rates on existing homes
Cost of major renovations needed in most resale properties
Competition driving up resale prices in hot markets
Crucial energy efficiency of new construction (lower utility bills for years to come)
Comfort that comes with warranties & coverage
When it all comes together? The investment in a custom home becomes not just competitive, but often a smarter long-term value. Plus, you’re building equity from day one in a home designed for how you actually live, not how someone else lived 15 years ago.
Looking Forward: A Community Built to Last
What makes Fuquay-Varina exceptional isn’t just what it is today, it’s the thoughtful planning for tomorrow. From the Downtown Generational Plan guiding future development to infrastructure investments keeping pace with growth, this is a town managing its success with intention.
The mix of local businesses, expanding retail, planned mixed-use developments, and protected historic districts creates a template for how growing communities can preserve character while welcoming new residents. It’s why Fuquay-Varina earned recognition as one of the safest towns in North Carolina, and why families continue to choose it as their forever home.
Is Fuquay-Varina Right for Your Custom Home?
If you’re drawn to authentic community character, award-winning schools, expanding amenities, and the opportunity to build a home that truly fits your life, Fuquay-Varina deserves a closer look.
The best time to explore building custom is before you compromise on a resale home that’s “close enough.” Because in a community this special, your home should be exactly right.
Ready to explore custom home building in Fuquay-Varina? Massengill Design Build has been crafting award-winning new construction homes in this community for over 30 years. We’d love to discuss available lots, floor plans, and how we can bring your vision to life in one of North Carolina’s most desirable small towns. Contact us today to start the conversation about your forever home, and explore any of the designer homes & homesites our team is proudly bringing to market this year and next.