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Out past the subdivisions and traffic lights, North Carolina gets raw. Not undevelopedjust uninterested in being over-arranged. These 10 neighborhoodsplaces like Collettsville and Cedar Mountaindont pose for postcards. Wileydoc / Shutterstock.com This isnt suburbia with better views. People settle here because they want elbow roomnot curated charm. In Bear Paw, the lake is the main event and the only show in town. In Wilson Creek, natures in charge and no ones complaining....

This is where sandstone arches lean over creeks, and folks still wave from pickup windows. Its not a place built for hurry. These towns arent curated destinations. By Nyttend – Own work, Public Domain Theyre lived-in, slightly frayed, and all the more beautiful for it. Stanton hums with small-town rhythm and the scent of biscuits. Beattyville sits where three rivers shake hands, and Slade? Slades the wild-eyed cousin with trail dust on its boots and a backpack full of climbing ropes....

Some towns legislate charm with the precision of a city council vote. Scattered across America are places where personality is written into the bookswhere tradition doesnt just endure, its enforced. These are not towns frozen in time. Shutterstock Theyre towns that have edited time to suit their own narrative. In Leavenworth, Washington, Bavarian architecture isnt an aestheticits a civic identity born of economic reinvention. This list isnt about oddities for odditys sake....

Here, lets take a look at the five most expensive houses in the Sunflower State. Wamego, KS $1,400,000 With 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, this 3,800 sq. ft. log home is situated on 79 acres with a pond and is priced at $1,400,000. Alissa Unruh @ J.P. Weigand & Sons via Coldwell Banker Realty Built with logs from Vancouver Island, the design features a two-story family room with a limestone fireplace....

Now, lets take a look at the five most expensive homes in the Beaver State. ft. with 4 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, set within an exclusive vineyard. A private courtyard leads to a repurposed stone barn with a virtual golf setup. Terry Sprague @ Luxe Forbes Global Properties via Coldwell Banker Realty Outdoor amenities include a covered kitchen, fire pit, and resort-style pool with vineyard views. The estate also features a barrel room for enjoying Tumwater Vineyards latest releases....

Marylands housing market is increasingly dominated by its oldest and wealthiest homeowners. The past five years have witnessed a surprising shift. For younger Marylanders hoping to climb the property ladder, the effects have been profound. Shutterstock The typical Maryland home now costs $400,000, putting homeownership out of reach for many first-time buyers. State-Wide Trends in Maryland Marylands housing market over the last five years reflects a nationwide aging-in-place trend. Baby boomers have become an increasingly dominant force in homeownership....

Colorados luxury real estate market underwent a dramatic transformation between 2018 and 2023. Suburban Enclaves Affluent buyers increasingly turned to suburban enclaves for more land and privacy. ft. and sell for $1.2$2 million. Shutterstock Resort Communities Meanwhile, rural resort communities saw a surge of part-time and relocating high-income owners. Many high-income buyers from out of state (e.g. In suburban luxury markets like Castle Pines and Greenwood Village, properties often range from 3,5006,000 sq....

However, the tide turned sharply in 2022 and 2023. Higher borrowing costs dealt an immediate blow to affordability. The result: homebuying activity plunged. Shutterstock Statewide single-family sales fell to 4,459 in 2022 and then bottomed out at just 3,005 in 2023. The initial period saw many moderate-income Alaskans successfully buying homes amid favorable financing conditions. The latter period saw many of those would-be buyers sidelined by worsening affordability. There are practical reasons for this emphasis on single-family properties....

This period saw significant shifts influenced by economic swings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and lifestyle changes. While most Alaskan families struggled with affordability, wealthy buyers continued to purchase homes at elevated prices. Vacation-home sales surged during the pandemic, a national trend that Alaskas affluent echoed. Shutterstock This momentum continued into early 2021 with a 57% year-over-year spike in vacation home purchases. The surge reflected unique pandemic-era motivations: remote work freedom, desire for isolated getaways, and excess savings....

The trends are nothing short of fascinating. Salvo Ive always been captivated by the unspoiled beauty of Salvo, a hidden jewel on the Outer Banks. Lake Santeetlah During my exploration of western North Carolinas mountain retreats, Lake Santeetlah emerged as a breathtaking discovery. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet Henrico Venturing into northeastern North Carolina, I discovered the unexpected luxury market of Henrico. Emerald Isle The shimmering waters surrounding Emerald Isle perfectly complement the steadily appreciating homes of this coastal paradise....

Looking for affordable housing options in Iowa? Your investment here would have seen one of the highest appreciation rates on our list over just five years. Your investment here would have appreciated significantly in just five years while remaining under $90,000. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet Your home here would average $89,051.75 in 2025, though historical data isnt available to track growth patterns. Your proximity to Storm Lake gives you access to additional amenities while maintaining housing costs significantly below state averages....

The premium these exclusive Vermont addresses command is evident in their $629,301 average home value in 2025. Your investment would have shown excellent ten-year returns with 81.68% growth since 2015, demonstrating sustained demand. Your investment would have performed more consistently over the longer term with 64.01% growth since 2015. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet Your capital would have shown more consistent performance over the longer term with 63.01% appreciation since 2015....

Whats remarkable is how widespread this growth has been. The acceleration has been particularly notable since 2020, with a 76.8% increase in just five years. Between 2020 and 2025 alone, values jumped 82.8%, highlighting the areas growing desirability. Home Stratosphere | Leaflet The recent growth spurt of 92.6% between 2020 and 2025 underscores its increasing appeal to homebuyers. Most striking is the recent acceleration, with an 81.4% surge from 2020 to 2025....