Home Page - Living In Raleigh Now

Dunhaven in Garner, NC: Acre-Size Lots, Established Homes and a Different Kind of Garner Neighborhood

Updated August 2026

If you’re considering Dunhaven in Garner, NC, this neighborhood is worth knowing about if your search keeps coming back to three things: more land, an established home, and a Wake County location close to longtime Garner amenities.

Dunhaven feels very different from many of today’s new subdivisions.

Instead of newer homes sitting on compact lots, you’ll find properties from the late 1970s through the 1980s and beyond, with mature trees and lots that are often close to an acre. Examples along Dunhaven Drive include homes built in 1976, 1980, and 1983, while other parts of the subdivision include later homes as well.

And the houses themselves can vary quite a bit.

Some are around 2,000 to 2,500 square feet. Others exceed 3,000 or even 4,000 square feet. That variety is one of the reasons I wouldn’t judge Dunhaven from a single listing.

Here’s what buyers should know before deciding whether Dunhaven belongs on their Garner home-search list.

Where Is Dunhaven in Garner, NC?

Dunhaven is an established Wake County neighborhood in Garner, NC 27529. Property records for Dunhaven Drive, Cravenridge Place, and Camfield Place identify Wake County.

The neighborhood is near Buffaloe Road, with access toward Timber Drive, US-70, I-40, and other established parts of Garner. A current Cravenridge Place listing also highlights proximity to Lake Benson Park, White Deer Park, the YMCA, White Oak shopping, and I-40.

For me, the location is part of the appeal.

You’re not buying into a subdivision that still has years of construction ahead of it. Dunhaven is already established, so you can drive through and see the mature trees, existing homes, and surrounding development as it actually looks today.

If commuting matters, though, drive your normal route during the hours you’ll really use it.

That tells you much more than looking at mileage alone.

The Lots Are One of Dunhaven’s Biggest Differences

If you’ve spent time touring newer Garner communities, Dunhaven’s lot sizes may immediately stand out.

Consider a few examples:

• 2502 Dunhaven Drive: approximately 1.03 acres

• 2609 Dunhaven Drive: approximately 1.08 acres

• 2704 Dunhaven Drive: approximately 1.19 acres

• 2501 Dunhaven Drive: approximately 1.29 acres

• 2802 Camfield Place: approximately 0.93 acres

• 305 Briarhaven Court: approximately 1.06 acres

That’s a very different setup from buying a large new house on a tenth or quarter-acre homesite.

Maybe you want space for a garden.

Maybe you want mature trees.

Maybe you’d like more separation from the neighboring home.

Or maybe your goal is simply to sit on the back deck without feeling like every nearby house is part of the conversation.

Those things can be hard to quantify when you’re looking at listings online.

You notice them once you’re standing in the yard.

What Are the Homes Like in Dunhaven?

Dunhaven does not have one standard floor plan.

You’ll see ranch homes, traditional two-story homes, brick homes, cul-de-sac properties, and houses that have been renovated or expanded during several decades of ownership.

For example, 2502 Dunhaven Drive was built in 1976 and has three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, about 2,506 square feet, and a one-acre wooded lot.

2609 Dunhaven Drive was built in 1983 and has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, approximately 2,453 square feet, and 1.08 acres.

2704 Dunhaven Drive was built in 1980 and has four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2,750 square feet, a two-car garage, and 1.19 acres.

Then there are substantially larger homes. 2802 Camfield Place, built in 1984, has four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, approximately 3,518 square feet, and a 0.93-acre cul-de-sac lot.

That variety is useful.

You aren’t choosing from three builder plans.

Two Dunhaven homes that sit a few streets apart may have completely different layouts, renovation histories, yard configurations, and price points.

What Do Homes in Dunhaven Cost?

Because the homes vary so much, Dunhaven is not a neighborhood where I’d give buyers one simple price and call it done.

Current and recent activity illustrates that.

As of August 12, 2026, 2500 Cravenridge Place was actively listed at $489,900 after several price adjustments. The home has four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2,602 square feet, a two-car garage, and a 0.92-acre lot.

Another Dunhaven property, 2802 Camfield Place, was pending after being listed at $700,000. It offers four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3,518 square feet, and approximately 0.93 acres.

A useful recent closed sale is 305 Briarhaven Court, which sold for $660,000 on February 13, 2026. That home had four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, approximately 3,541 square feet, and a lot of just over an acre. The property appears in Dunhaven-area/subdivision records.

Those three properties alone tell you why a neighborhood average has limited value here.

A 2,600-square-foot home and a 3,500-square-foot home on similar acreage are different purchases.

So are an updated house and one that needs substantial work.

If you’re considering Dunhaven, I’d compare the individual home against the closest recent matches in size, lot, condition, and location.

Does Dunhaven Have an HOA?

This requires a little more attention than a simple yes or no.

The current listing at 2500 Cravenridge Place identifies a Dunhaven HOA with a $30 annual association fee.

But an older listing at 2907 Dunhaven Drive specifically advertised the home as having no HOA fees.

That may reflect differences between sections, properties, or how association information was recorded over the years.

So I would not tell a buyer that every Dunhaven property has exactly the same HOA arrangement.

Instead, verify the exact parcel.

For any house you’re considering, ask for:

• Current HOA or association documents

• Current annual dues

• Recorded covenants

• Architectural restrictions

• Rules involving fences or detached structures

• Any easements

• Any outstanding assessments

With larger lots, buyers sometimes start imagining a pool, detached garage, workshop, RV parking, or other project immediately.

Find out what’s actually allowed before you make those plans.

Many Dunhaven Homes Use Septic

Utilities are another important part of buying here.

Property records show several Dunhaven homes using public or city water with septic systems. For example, records for 2501 Dunhaven Drive and 2716 Dunhaven Drive identify septic, while 2716 also lists city water.

That doesn’t mean every property has an identical setup.

Verify the exact home.

If it does have septic, I’d want to know:

• Where the tank is located

• Where the drain field is

• Whether there’s a repair area

• When the system was last serviced

• Whether additions or outdoor projects could interfere with it

That last point is important.

An acre gives you more land, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you can build on every part of that acre.

Dunhaven vs. New Construction in Garner

This is one of the most useful comparisons you can make.

New construction may give you:

• Brand-new HVAC and roof

• Builder warranties

• Current kitchens and bathrooms

• Newer energy-efficiency features

• Builder incentives

• Less immediate maintenance

Dunhaven may give you:

• Approximately one-acre lots on many properties

• Mature trees

• More distance between homes

• Established landscaping

• Larger or more individual floor plans

• Existing porches, decks, garages, or outdoor improvements

• A finished neighborhood near established Garner amenities

Neither is automatically the better choice.

What matters is what you’ve been saying you want.

If you’ve spent weeks telling me you want privacy and a big yard, it doesn’t make much sense to forget that because a new-construction kitchen photographs beautifully.

Buyer Scenario: Newer Home or One Acre?

Imagine you’re choosing between two houses at roughly the same budget.

The newer home has modern finishes, newer mechanical systems, and very little you need to change.

Then you tour a Dunhaven home.

It’s older, but the property sits on nearly an acre. There are mature trees, a long driveway, and more space around the house.

Maybe the kitchen needs updating.

What matters more?

If your priority is lower near-term maintenance, the newer home might make more sense.

But if you’ve always wanted land, the Dunhaven property has something you can’t easily renovate into another house later.

You can replace countertops.

You can’t turn a 0.15-acre lot into an acre.

Buyer Scenario: The $500,000 Home vs. the $650,000 Home

Established neighborhoods create another interesting comparison.

Suppose one Dunhaven home costs substantially less than another.

Before assuming the cheaper home is the better deal, ask what’s already been replaced.

Maybe the higher-priced property has:

• Newer HVAC systems

• Replacement windows

• Updated bathrooms

• A newer roof

• Improved crawl-space moisture control

• Updated electrical

• Extensive landscaping

• A renovated kitchen

Those projects can add up quickly.

This doesn’t mean you should pay any asking price for an updated home.

It means you need to compare condition and future costs, not just today’s list price.

Older Homes Make Inspection and Maintenance History Important

Many core Dunhaven homes are now more than 40 years old. Examples on Dunhaven Drive date to 1976, 1980, and 1983.

That isn’t automatically good or bad.

It just means I’d want you to understand the individual property.

Pay close attention to:

• Roof age

• HVAC systems

• Electrical panel and wiring

• Plumbing

• Water heater

• Septic

• Crawl space

• Moisture

• Drainage

• Windows

• Insulation

• Exterior siding or brick

• Decks and porches

• Additions

• Renovation permits

An older home that has been maintained well can be a very different purchase from one that has decades of deferred maintenance.

The listing photos won’t always tell you which one you’re looking at.

What Is Near Dunhaven?

Dunhaven’s location near Buffaloe Road puts it close to some of Garner’s longtime recreation options.

Lake Benson Park, at 921 Buffaloe Road, is a Town of Garner park with trails, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. The town identifies it as a 64-acre park.

Nearby White Deer Park is a 96-acre Town of Garner park with playgrounds, picnic shelters, wooded areas, and two miles of paved trails.

The current Cravenridge Place listing also highlights access to Lake Benson Park, White Deer Park, the YMCA, White Oak shopping, I-40, and the Triangle Expressway.

If you’re touring Dunhaven, I’d drive those areas too.

A home tour tells you whether you like the house.

Driving the area tells you whether you like where the house puts you.

What About Schools in Dunhaven?

Current Dunhaven MLS information commonly references Vandora Springs Elementary, North Garner Middle, and Garner High. The current Cravenridge Place listing shows those three schools, and other neighborhood property records show the same general pattern.

But school assignments should always be verified by exact address.

Wake County Public School System provides an official lookup that allows buyers to enter a Wake County residential address and see its current base-school assignment by school year and grade level.

WCPSS also reviews attendance boundaries as part of its ongoing assignment-planning process, which is another reason not to treat a listing portal as a permanent guarantee.

If school assignment matters to your purchase, use the property address.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make When Looking at Dunhaven

Assuming all lots are the same

They aren’t.

One-acre lots are common in the examples I reviewed, but properties still vary in size, shape, slope, landscaping, and usable yard space.

Comparing homes by square footage alone

A 2,600-square-foot renovated home on nearly an acre and an older 3,500-square-foot property that needs major work shouldn’t be compared using square footage alone.

Assuming every Dunhaven home has no HOA

Current MLS data shows a small annual Dunhaven association fee on at least one property, while an older neighborhood listing advertised no HOA fees. Verify the exact home.

Forgetting to investigate septic

Several neighborhood properties use septic. Know its location and condition before planning additions or backyard projects.

Paying too much attention to cosmetic updates

A new kitchen is easy to notice.

The crawl space, roof, electrical system, HVAC, plumbing, and septic system may affect your ownership costs much more.

Assuming the school listed online is guaranteed

Use the official WCPSS address lookup for the current school year.

Who Might Want to Consider Dunhaven?

Dunhaven may be worth adding to your search if you want:

• A Garner, NC 27529 address

• A Wake County location

• Detached single-family homes

• An established neighborhood

• Lots close to an acre on many properties

• Mature trees

• Larger traditional floor plans

• Ranch and two-story options

• Homes with more individual character

• Public water and septic on some properties

• Access to Lake Benson Park, White Deer Park, White Oak, and I-40

If you’ve been touring newer Garner communities and keep saying, “I want more yard and more space between the homes,” Dunhaven is one neighborhood I’d want you to see in person.

Is Dunhaven in Garner, NC Worth Considering?

Yes. Dunhaven can be a strong option for buyers who want an established Wake County neighborhood with larger homes, mature surroundings, and lots that are often close to an acre.

Current pricing shows just how much properties can vary. As of August 12, 2026, a 2,602-square-foot Cravenridge Place home was listed at $489,900, while the larger 3,518-square-foot Camfield Place property was pending after a $700,000 list price. A 3,541-square-foot Briarhaven Court property sold for $660,000 in February 2026.

That spread isn’t a problem.

It tells you what kind of neighborhood this is.

The properties aren’t interchangeable.

Look closely at the lot.

Look at the condition.

Find out what has been replaced.

Verify the association setup.

Understand the septic system.

Check the school assignment.

Then compare that specific property with both other established Garner neighborhoods and new construction.

That’s how you determine whether Dunhaven is worth it for you.

FAQ About Dunhaven in Garner, NC

Is Dunhaven in Wake County?

Yes. Dunhaven is in Wake County with a Garner, NC 27529 address. Property records for multiple neighborhood homes identify Wake County.

How old are homes in Dunhaven?

Many core Dunhaven homes were built during the late 1970s and 1980s. Examples include homes built in 1976, 1980, 1983, 1984, and 1987.

How large are lots in Dunhaven?

Many properties are around one acre. Examples include lots of 0.92, 0.93, 1.03, 1.08, 1.19, and 1.29 acres.

Does Dunhaven have an HOA?

Association information varies by property. A current 2026 Cravenridge Place listing shows a Dunhaven HOA fee of $30 annually, while an older Dunhaven Drive listing advertised no HOA fees. Buyers should verify the exact address and current documents.

Are homes in Dunhaven on septic?

Some are. Multiple Dunhaven property records show public or city water with septic systems. Buyers should verify utilities for the specific home.

How much do homes in Dunhaven cost?

Prices vary substantially with square footage, lot size, renovations, and condition. Current and recent 2026 examples range from a $489,900 active listing to a $700,000 pending property, while a larger Dunhaven-area home sold for $660,000 in February.

Is Dunhaven near Lake Benson Park?

Yes. Dunhaven properties are located near Buffaloe Road and Lake Benson Park, and current neighborhood listing information specifically highlights Lake Benson and White Deer Park as nearby amenities.

What schools serve Dunhaven?

Current MLS information commonly lists Vandora Springs Elementary, North Garner Middle, and Garner High, but buyers should confirm the exact home through WCPSS's official address-based assignment lookup.

Thinking About Buying in Dunhaven?

If Dunhaven in Garner, NC is on your list, I can help you compare the homes that become available with other established Garner neighborhoods and new-construction options.

With Dunhaven, I’d look beyond the listing photos and compare the acreage, renovations, major-system ages, septic, association documents, school assignment, commute, and what else your budget can buy nearby.

The house matters.

But in Dunhaven, the lot can be a big part of what you’re buying too.

Brandy Nemergut is a Realtor with eXp Realty in Raleigh, NC, helping buyers explore Dunhaven, Garner, and the greater Raleigh area.

Brandy Nemergut, Realtor ~ eXp Realty Raleigh, NC
919-583-6895
[email protected]
LivingInRaleighNow.com