James Walker | Fayetteville, NC Realtor helping military families, first responders, and relocating buyers

Published: June 2026

If you've been trying to figure out where to buy near Fort Bragg, Raeford keeps coming up — and there's a real reason for that.

Raeford, NC, and Hoke County are where a large number of military families are landing right now. New construction is moving fast, prices are still reasonable compared to Fayetteville, and the commute to Fort Bragg is manageable. But with several new suburbs going up at the same time, it's hard to know which one actually fits your family.

We pulled over 1,000 home sales from the MLS and identified the five suburbs with the most traction. Here's what the data showed, what each community offers, and how to figure out which one is right for you.

Why Hoke County Is Growing So Fast Right Now

If you want a full picture of what daily life looks like in Raeford, we put that together in our pros and cons of living in Raeford, NC post. But the growth story starts with numbers.

Hoke County has seen its population grow by over 18% since 2010, with the 2025 projected population pushing past 56,000 people. From 2000 to 2010 alone, the county grew from roughly 34,000 to over 45,000 residents. That's not a fluke. It's consistent, sustained growth tied directly to Fort Bragg.

About 90% of people moving to Hoke County are military. From our MLS data, VA loans accounted for 852 out of roughly 1,100 financed home sales in the county over the past year. Military families aren't just moving here — they're buying here, and they're doing it with confidence.

The median property value in Hoke County hit $219,300 in 2024, up nearly 12% in a single year. Buyers who got in early are already seeing appreciation, and new construction is still active across multiple price points.

If you're planning to use a VA loan, our VA loan guide breaks down what you qualify for and how the process works near Fort Bragg.

The Economic Story Behind the Growth

In December 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein attended a groundbreaking ceremony in Hoke County for Pennsylvania Transformer Technology, known as PTT. The company has operated in Raeford since 1992 and manufactures the large-scale electrical equipment that steps down power from transmission lines before it reaches homes, schools, and businesses. Demand for that equipment is surging nationally, and PTT is expanding here to meet it.

The investment totals $102.5 million — the largest single capital investment in Hoke County's history. It adds 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 217 new jobs averaging $65,000 a year. PTT is also partnering with Sandhills Community College to train local workers for those positions.

What this means for buyers: companies don't make investments at that scale without doing serious research on growth projections. Fort Bragg drives the military population. New construction gives families a place to land. And now, private industry is committing long-term to this market too.

Buyers getting into Raeford now are ahead of what this county is becoming.

1. Kirwin Village

MLS Data: 42 sold | Average close price: ~$325,000

Builder: Dream Finders Homes (2025 Builder of the Year, Builder Magazine)

Kirwin Village had more MLS sales than any other subdivision in Hoke County over the past year. That kind of volume in a market this size is a clear signal that buyers are choosing this community first.

The subdivision sits on Fayetteville Road, Route 401, which runs directly to Fort Bragg. Gate 7 on the western side of the installation is about 25 to 30 minutes away, making this one of the more convenient commutes in the county.

Home sizes range from 1,725 to 2,428 square feet with a minimum of three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Floor plans include large owner's suites, walk-in pantries, and open family rooms. Community amenities include a fitness center, playground, dog park, and covered picnic area.

What's Around Kirwin Village

A Walmart Supercenter is about five minutes away on Fayetteville Road. The James A. Leach Aquatic and Recreation Center, a 53,000 square foot facility that opened in May 2023, is also on Fayetteville Road. It includes an NBA-sized basketball court, a competition swimming pool, and an indoor walking track. Admission is $4 per person.

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital's Hoke Campus, the first hospital ever built in Hoke County, is five to seven minutes away on Highway 401 with a 24/7 emergency department. Downtown Fayetteville is about 25 minutes east. Southern Pines and Pinehurst are 35 to 40 minutes in the other direction.

Schools

Scurlock Elementary, East Hoke Middle, Hoke County High School. Hoke County Schools holds a Purple Star District designation from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, recognizing districts that provide strong support for military-connected students. If you're PCSing in with kids mid-year, this district has experience handling that transition.

Kirwin Village is a strong fit for first-time buyers and PCSing families who need to move fast and want a turnkey home with low maintenance.

2. Brookstone Village

MLS Data: 41 sold | Average close price: ~$355,000

Builder: Caviness & Cates / Kidd Construction

Brookstone Village is one of the few gated new construction communities at this price point in the Raeford market. It's built by Caviness & Cates, a Fayetteville-based company that has been building homes in this region for over 50 years. That kind of local history matters, especially when you're buying new construction from out of state and need to trust the builder.

The community sits just off Highway 401 with a 25 to 30 minute commute to Fort Bragg via Gate 7. Homes range from 1,500 to 2,100 square feet with walking trails, a dog park, a playground, and a grilling area. Seller-paid closing cost assistance of $8,500 is currently available, which reduces your out-of-pocket costs at closing.

What's Around Brookstone Village

Directly outside the community, you'll find FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital and FirstHealth Convenient Care, Fit4Life Health Club, CrossFit Raeford, and Paraclete XP indoor skydiving. Food Lion, Walmart, and Aldi are all within a few minutes. The James A. Leach Aquatic Center is about five minutes away. Downtown Fayetteville is about 25 minutes.

One thing worth knowing about Raeford as a community: Raeford Hardware has operated for over 115 years, passed down through three generations of the same family. That's not a detail that changes a home purchase decision, but it does tell you something about the character of the town surrounding these new suburbs.

Schools

Scurlock Elementary, East Hoke Middle, and Hoke County High.

Brookstone Village is worth considering if a gated community from an established local builder is a priority, and the current closing cost incentive makes the entry point more accessible.

3. Shahbain Reserve

MLS Data: 39 sold | Average close price: ~$372,000

Builder: D.R. Horton

Shahbain Reserve is D.R. Horton's offering in Raeford, and the homes here are larger than anything else on this list. Floor plans range from 2,340 to 3,108 square feet with three to five bedrooms, two to three bathrooms, and a two-car garage on every plan. Standard finishes include quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, and an open kitchen-to-living-room layout.

The community is located off Rockfish Road with easy access to US-401, I-295, and I-95. Fort Bragg is about 25 to 30 minutes via Gate 7. Fayetteville is about 20 minutes east. Southern Pines and Pinehurst are roughly 35 minutes away.

What's Around Shahbain Reserve

Walmart is about 10 minutes away. The James A. Leach Aquatic Center is about 10 minutes. FirstHealth Moore Regional's Hoke Campus, with its 24/7 emergency department, is about 10 minutes out. Downtown Fayetteville is 20 to 25 minutes.

Rockfish Hoke Elementary School is 0.1 miles from the front of the community. For families with young kids, that proximity is hard to match.

Current Builder Incentives at Shahbain Reserve

D.R. Horton recently reduced prices across several move-in-ready homes to the lowest they've been. Pre-sale opportunities are also available on select homesites for buyers who want to lock in a price before construction begins.

For buyers using the builder's preferred lender and closing attorney:

  • Up to $10,000 in closing cost assistance on homes closing by June
  • Up to $15,000 on pre-sale homes
  • Interest rate of 4.99%, below current market rates
  • FHA Chenoa down payment assistance available for May and June closings

Community amenities include pickleball courts, basketball courts, a pavilion, ponds, and walkable streets.

With incentives up to $15,000 on top of reduced pricing, the actual cost of getting into Shahbain Reserve is meaningfully lower than the average close price suggests.

4. Buffalo Creek

MLS Data: 36 sold | Average close price: ~$351,000

Builder: Ben Stout Construction / Furr Construction

Buffalo Creek stands out for one reason that's genuinely hard to find near Fort Bragg at this price point: lot size. Every home in this 47-lot subdivision sits on more than half an acre of land.

The community is built on a 50-plus-acre property off Neil Sinclair Road. Homes go up to five bedrooms and over 3,000 square feet, with open floor plans, center islands, formal dining rooms with coffered ceilings, and covered patios. For families coming out of base housing or a smaller rental, the space here is a significant change.

What's Around Buffalo Creek

Fort Bragg is about 25 to 30 minutes via US-401 and Gate 7. Walmart is about 10 minutes. The James A. Leach Aquatic Center is about 10 minutes. FirstHealth Moore Regional's Hoke Campus is about 10 minutes away with a 24/7 emergency department. Downtown Fayetteville is 25 to 30 minutes. Southern Pines is about 35 minutes.

Schools

Upchurch Elementary, East Hoke Middle, and Hoke County High.

Half-acre lots in a new community at a $351,000 average close price is a combination that doesn't exist in Hope Mills or anywhere closer to Fayetteville. If yard space and room for a family to spread out are the priority, Buffalo Creek is the only suburb on this list that delivers it.

If you're comparing Raeford to Hope Mills, our Hope Mills area guide lays out both markets side by side.

5. Wood Lake II

MLS Data: 34 sold | Average close price: ~$376,000

Builder: Dream Finders Homes / JK Builders

Wood Lake II is sold out by the builder. That fact alone tells you more about buyer demand in this market than any statistic could.

Homes here ranged from 1,982 to 2,834 square feet with designer series finishes, privacy fences, sodded yards, and gutters included as standard. Some lots backed to open space with no rear neighbors, a feature most builders charge extra for.

What's Around Wood Lake II

Fort Bragg is about 25 to 30 minutes via Gate 7. Walmart is about 10 minutes. The James A. Leach Aquatic Center is about 10 minutes. The hospital on Highway 401 is 10 to 12 minutes. Fayetteville is 25 to 30 minutes. Southern Pines is about 35 minutes.

Schools

Scurlock Elementary, East Hoke Middle, and Hoke County High. Sandhoke Early College High School is also nearby, a program that allows students to earn college credit while still in high school.

Resale Opportunities

Wood Lake II is no longer available from the builder, but resale homes do become available as military families PCS out. That happens consistently in any installation-adjacent market. The average close price of $376,000 was the highest on this list, and the community sold out. Dream Finders has other active communities in the Raeford area at a comparable quality level. If Wood Lake II is the style you're looking for, that's a conversation worth having before you settle on something else.

Which Suburb Fits Your Situation?

  • First-time buyer or tight timeline: Kirwin Village
  • Want a gated community from a local builder: Brookstone Village
  • Need maximum square footage with current builder incentives: Shahbain Reserve
  • Want land and outdoor space at a mid-range price: Buffalo Creek
  • Looking for premium finishes and open to resale: Wood Lake II

If you're still early in the PCS process and working through the full picture, our PCS to Fort Bragg guide covers timelines, what to look for when buying from out of state, and how to move efficiently when you're working against orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Raeford from Fort Bragg? Most suburbs in Raeford are about 25 to 30 minutes from Fort Bragg via US-401 to Gate 7 on the western side of the installation. Traffic on this route is generally lighter than the roads coming in from Fayetteville.

Is Raeford a good place for military families to buy a home? Yes. About 90% of people moving to Hoke County are military, and VA loans made up 852 out of roughly 1,100 financed purchases in the county over the past year. The school district carries a Purple Star District designation from the state of North Carolina, meaning it has specific programs in place to support military kids who are switching schools mid-year.

Can I use a VA loan to buy in one of these suburbs? Yes. All five suburbs listed here are eligible for VA loan financing. You can review the official VA home loan program at benefits.va.gov. For a breakdown of how it works in this specific market, our VA loan guide covers the details.

Is new construction in Raeford still a good investment? The median property value in Hoke County rose nearly 12% in a single year, reaching $219,300 in 2024. With Fort Bragg as a permanent demand driver and $102.5 million in private investment coming into the county, the fundamentals here are solid. That said, every situation is different. It's worth talking through your specific timeline and budget before committing.

What is the best new construction suburb in Raeford for families with kids? It depends on what matters most. Shahbain Reserve puts you 0.1 miles from Rockfish Hoke Elementary. Buffalo Creek offers half-acre lots with room for kids to actually use the yard. All five suburbs feed into Hoke County Schools, which holds a Purple Star District designation for military family support.

About the Author: James M. Walker

James Walker has lived in Fayetteville and the surrounding areas for more than 35 years. After serving 20 years as a Fayetteville police officer and spending the past 6 years in real estate, he brings deep local knowledge and practical experience to every transaction. He specializes in helping military families, veterans, first responders, and relocating buyers navigate the process with clarity and confidence. Working alongside his wife, Stephanie, James focuses on education, strong communication, and helping clients make informed decisions when buying or selling in North Carolina.

About All American Realty Group

All American Realty Group helps buyers and sellers across Fayetteville, Raeford, Hope Mills, Spring Lake, and surrounding North Carolina communities. We specialize in helping military families, first-time buyers, and relocating homeowners understand financing options, down payment assistance programs, and local market conditions.

With deep knowledge of Cumberland County and the Fort Bragg area, our team focuses on clear communication, strategic planning, and making the buying or selling process simple.

If you are considering purchasing or selling a home anywhere in North Carolina, we can help you understand your options and build a plan that fits your budget.

Contact us at All American Realty Group at 910-988-8578 | 3820 Raeford Road, Suite A, Fayetteville, NC 28304

 

Schedule a buyer or seller consultation here: https://calendly.com/jamesmwalker181/buyer-or-seller-meeting