May 16, 2025
Cattail is a community of new homes coming to a peaceful, scenic area of Clayton, NC, 14 miles southeast of Raleigh. This neighborhood will gradually grow to nearly 300 homes, some with lakefront and lakeside luxury. Only a few builders have been selected to build in Cattail. Here’s a Cattail builder profile so you can get to know Homes By Dickerson.
In order to understand the role that each builder plays in the development of Cattail, you need to know the story behind this community.
The property that will develop into a master-planned community of new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, has deep roots locally. The land that is bordered by Cattail Lake, which itself spans more than 80 acres and 2 ½ miles of shoreline. Family gatherings always involved lakeside activity, so the promise is to develop something special here, so that more families can experience the uniqueness of this location.
The new master-planned community near Flowers Plantation is also just minutes from Portofino and Wendell Falls. In a region known for providing a quality lifestyle with easy access to everything, Cattail will emerge as Johnston County’s newest premier community. Homes will vary, priced from the $450,000s to more than $2 million. Within this range, many homebuyers can find the right match for their Cattail life. The community’s first phase of 51 homes offers homesites from a half-acre to more than 3 acres, with lakefront and lakeside property in The Peninsula at Cattail. The Preserve at Cattail is a private enclave of homes situated on wood-lined, cul-de-sacs lots near the lake.
The Cattail Lifestyle builds around these natural surroundings. Cattail will have private docks and public fishing areas. The stocked lake is ideal for fishing, and a convenient amenity for paddlers. Residents can also relax and enjoy the community pool and adjacent pergolas. Gather with your neighbors at the fire pits and fireplaces, against the calming backdrop of Cattail Lake.
As Cattail grows from its very first phase, the families here will have a special connection that can only happen when everyone starts from the beginning. Build relationships with the welcome of each newcomer. Become one of the founding families of Cattail and watch the story grow.
Homes By DIckerson has its roots in the Carolinas. They build custom homes in Charleston, SC, and North Carolina’s most sought-after regions: Raleigh-Durham, Pinehurst, and the coastal area. Founded in 1975 by Louis Dickerson, the company earned the prestigious accomplishment of winning its first Parade of Homes entry. Having a newcomer selected from among the top builders throughout the Raleigh-Durham area established Homes By Dickerson as someone to watch. Louis Dickerson became known for the quality he put into every aspect of building—design, construction, and outstanding personal service.
Fifty years later, the legacy continues. Homes By Dickerson annually submits entries to the Parade of Homes—more than 200 to date. They’ve been named Builder of the Year several times. And Homes By Dickerson was chosen to build the 2016 HGTV Dream Home and the 2011 Duke Children’s Miracle Home.
The leadership has changed over 5 decades, but the tradition of innovation and excellence continues to this day. Linwood Strickland joined in 1984 and later acquired the company. Linwood established the Client Care Department and spearheaded the development of the first business plan to guide Homes By Dickerson’s future growth.
Brant Chesson joined Homes By Dickerson in 2004 as CEO and guided the company through the 2008 housing recession. Brant had the benefit of Linwood’s mentorship. Together, they’ve maintained the high standard for innovative practices, quality craftsmanship, and keen understanding of what homebuyers want. The leadership’s dedication to sustainability earned the company the national honor of 2018 Green Partner of Excellence by the National Green Building Association, (NGBS). Like Louis Dickerson before them, Linwood and Brant have kept Homes By Dickerson high on the list of premier custom builders in the Carolinas.
Homes By Dickerson has set itself apart for the wide array of distinctive home designs. Each home in the portfolio was inspired by a story and a style. From traditional to modern, farmhouse to coastal, the architecture is transformed by the designer’s vision, applying details with finesse. Charm, serenity, grandeur, coastal elegance, nostalgia are words that the designers use to express the feelings they’ve sought to communicate with their stunning plans.
The designs represent strong connections to history and heritage, a tribute to the timeless architecture that seamlessly blends modern touches—aesthetic yet practical. Note the inclusion of sculleries, hidden pantries, curved walls, custom built-ins, and perhaps a swoop arch motif that subtly carries through the home. Feel the sense of sophisticated urban living and the tranquility of nature. Every home is a haven, giving the family a retreat.
It’s all achieved by the Homes By Dickerson signature details that distinguish anything from a ceiling or staircase to an entire area. Like brushstrokes, one by one, they paint the picture of a Homes By Dickerson masterpiece.
The Cattail builder profile of Homes By Dickerson must include the company’s commitment to energy efficiency. They take the extra effort to meet the requirements of the respected National Green Building Standard (NGBS) and ENERGY STAR certifications. In fact, Homes By Dickerson has the most NGBS-certified homes of any builder in the entire country.
Homes By Dickerson has been a frontrunner in minimizing the carbon footprint of the homes they build. Since completing their first ENERGY STAR-certified home in 2008, the company has invested in the research, technology, and materials that contribute to high-performance homes. In addition to being recognized as the 2018 NGBS Partner of Excellence, Homes By Dickerson has earned other accolades:
Homes By Dickerson has adopted solar and Zero Energy Blueprint Programs into its offerings. Southern Energy Management praised the builder for its work to conserve energy in the homes they design and build.
“By offering standard solar energy options to its homeowners, Homes By Dickerson is taking a step to encourage all home builders in The Triangle to see this technology as a normal upgrade option, rather than a specialty item,” said Graham Alexander, SEM’s Solar Designer.
Homes By Dickerson’s energy-efficient standards include the use of all of the following:
In addition to conserving energy in their practices, Homes By Dickerson also protects families from pollutants and allergens that are contained within the well-sealed homes. Integrating dehumidification, MERV 11 air filters, and Low-VOC paint and carpets contributes to a healthier home.
When you choose Homes By Dickerson to build your home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, you have three directions to embark on your homebuilding journey.
The Homes By Dickerson floor plan portfolio includes an expansive variety of award-winning home designs, with a wide selection of single-level and multi-story plans. With each home, the details have been customized to the owner’s preferences, so no two are alike. They could be situated side by side in a community, and no one would know the two residences started with the same plan. The elevations (exterior designs) can be customized to represent Modern Farmhouse, Craftsman, Traditional, Cape Cod, English Country, Coastal, Georgian, Colonial, French Country, and Tudor. You comfortably rely on the experience, creativity, and knowledge of the Homes By Dickerson design team.
Do you have your heart set on creating a home that is uniquely yours? Partner with a Homes By Dickerson’s licensed architect. Share your ideas. Discuss what you want your home to become, in terms of lifestyle, function, and style. Talk through the “why” of your new home. Why do you want certain features? Why do you prefer certain details? With this information, you’ll see your ideas transform into a floor plan and elevations.
You can also bring your own set of plans to Homes By Dickerson. Their architect and engineer will carefully review them to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
Homes By Dickerson has already begun construction on the first of these new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, at Cattail. The Peninsula at Cattail encompasses the properties with lakeside or lakefront locations. These new construction luxury homes have been designed to showcase the high standard of Homes By Dickerson. By choosing a move-in ready home, you can be one of the very first residents of Cattail.
When the plans for your new home at Cattail are finalized, you’ll meet with your personal designer to select every detail and finish in your new home. Explore one of the company’s Design Centers where you can see and feel every option, from cabinet doors and hardware to fixtures and colors. Homes By Dickerson gives you hours and hours to work through the important decisions that bring your home to life.
Throughout the construction process, the homebuilding journey includes opportunities to meet on-site with your project manager. Watch the progress. Ask questions. You’re part of this experience, and Homes By Dickerson welcomes you to see us in action.
You’ll do a final walk-through of your completed home with your project manager and client care representative. Plan for a few hours to inspect every detail, learn the ins and outs of the systems, and prepare to become the homeowner.
Brant Chesson, Homes By Dickerson’s President and CEO, says the final walk-through is a special experience for his team members. “The pride that you take in every single detail, at the end of the project, and you have a satisfied homeowner and a relationship that you’ve built. There’s nothing more rewarding than to deliver that home to a client and walk away and understand their level of happiness.”
The client care representative is your personal contact once you take ownership of your new Cattail home. More than managing your warranty claims, this professional wants to ensure that you are a happy member of the Homes By Dickerson family.
Homes By Dickerson invites you to take the first step toward becoming a Cattail homeowner. If you’re looking at new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, broaden your view to a few miles outside the city. Focus on a serene lifestyle within a short drive of everything you need