January 5, 2026
You could start 2026 with a brand new home on a lake near Raleigh, NC. Construction is underway at a one-of-a-kind community. Start now to find your new home at Cattail in Clayton, NC.
Cattail has a unique story. The 575-acre property has been in the Thompson family for generations. The grandson of the original owner, Rob Bailey, saw the prospect of creating a lifestyle for lots more families here. The natural beauty surrounding the crystal lake and just a short drive from a very desirable suburb could give more people the chance to enjoy what Rob grew up with.
So, Cattail was purchased by Rob and his business partner, Rich Van Tassel, and the vision is becoming a reality.
The community of new homes for sale near Raleigh, NC, is being carefully developed to respect the legacy of the land. While 575 acres could house a lot of homes, Rob and Rich envision quality, not quantity. Cattail will ultimately have just 296 homes, with 51 to be built in the first phase now underway. The homes will be situated on large homesites, up to three acres! And a large portion of the acreage will be preserved for greenways and common areas.
“Cattail is more than a neighborhood,” Rob explains. “It’s a living tribute to the Thompson family legacy. We’re not just developing land. We’re preserving history, restoring beauty, and building a community rooted in purpose. Every detail—from the millhouse to the restored lake—reflects a deep respect for the past and a clear vision for the future.”
The master plan for the Clayton community reflects the Cattail Lifestyle that Rob and Rich envisioned together. It’s about experiencing the serenity that can only be felt when you’re close to nature. It’s being together with people who share your love of the outdoors, who come together to build and welcome the advantages of a close-knit community.
The amenities have been designed to provide a relaxing lifestyle that also encourages time together.
The plan for Cattail is not just a place to live, but where you come alive!
If this vision appeals to you, let’s help you find your new home at Cattail in Clayton, NC. You can build your home on the lot of your choosing. The developers have selected four local builders exclusively for Cattail homes—Crosswind Custom Homes, Homes By Dickerson, New Home Inc., and Royalty Homes.
Two enclaves comprise Cattail’s first phase, The Peninsula at Cattail and The Preserve at Cattail. The Peninsula has 26 lots in total, with some sitting right on the lake and the others providing a beautiful view! The Preserve sits within easy walking distance of Cattail Lake and is being built exclusively by New Home Inc.
Each builder offers a collection of floor plans that you can customize. Some are already building at Cattail. These new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, at Cattail showcase the quality design and craftsmanship that led Rob and Rich to trust the builders with this opportunity.
You could be one of the founding members of the Cattail community when you choose one of these quick move-in homes that is nearing completion at The Preserve at Cattail.
2,491 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2-car garage
$539,700
Are you tired of homes with yards so small you can hear your neighbors? 178 Charlotte Knoll Street is located on a cul-de-sac in The Preserve—perfect for the family that wants solitude. Raleigh builder New Home Inc. designed the nearly 2,500 square-foot home to take full advantage of the 0.84-acre property’s attributes. The Holly floor plan is a two-story home with outstanding curb appeal, with its classic Craftsman lines.
This home’s four bedrooms are on the second floor and are designed to afford privacy to every member of the family. Your owner’s suite spans the full width of the home and provides the added benefit of two walk-in closets! The bathroom is sized for sharing, with dual vanities, a large walk-in shower, a linen closet, and a private water closet.
New Home Inc. put care planning into every square foot, which is evident throughout the entire plan. From the entry, there’s a pocket office next to a half-bath, a quiet workspace that’s set apart from the living area.
Then, walk into the open floor plan where natural light streams in from the many windows. Families—particularly the cook—love the kitchen in The Holly plan. The oversized center island comfortably sits people on three sides, not just one. Right next to the kitchen is a double-pantry: one for storage and the other to be used as a service pantry, for prep, serving, clean-up, and additional storage. The family room and dining area overlook your covered patio and yard. Relax and enjoy having so much space, inside and out.
From the covered front porch to the spacious patio, this home also delivers outdoor living spaces.
2,702 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car garage
$629,700
Maybe you’ll find your new home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, at 76 Charlotte Knoll Street. From the 2,702-square-foot interior on 0.98 acre to the 3-car garage, this home is all about spacious living. The Selma floor plan presents modern living at its best. Like the other New Home Inc. designs, your home here includes a secure, enclosed delivery area, called the Smart Door Delivery Center, an award-winning innovation.
The foyer guides you to the open floor plan, accented by the warmth of wood floors, natural light, and the cozy welcome of a fireplace with custom mantle, with built-ins on each side. From quietly enjoying your space to entertaining a crowd, the openness of the main living area gives you lots of decorating options.
The Selma’s kitchen has everything you need to make food prep a joy. The gas stove, wall oven, large center island, ample storage, storage pantry, and service pantry ensure that everything you need is within reach.
Need work-at-home space? The main level’s pocket office and fourth bedroom (by the entry) can each function as an office, homework station, or study. Or convert one to a study, fitness space, hobby studio, or homework station.
Head up the stairs to the second floor, which houses the owner’s suite and two additional bedrooms—each with a walk-in closet. Every bedroom is placed to maximize privacy.The open game room at the top of the stairs adds even more versatility to this home’s functionality.
The garage is designed as side-loaded with a two-car space, and an additional one-car garage set back and facing the driveway—a curb appeal bonus!
2,750 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3-car garage
$619,700
Another cul-de-sac home, 169 Charlotte Knoll Street transforms The Selma floor plan to the English Country style of architecture in, with tremendous curb appeal that is enhanced by the side-loaded garage. The two-story residence presents the grandeur of the open concept on the first level, plus a bedroom with a full bath that could also work as an office, guest room, or other flex space uses.
The Selma’s kitchen reflects the thoughtful details and premium finishes that New Home Inc. considers essential for this essential hub of the home. The center island is expanded, making more workspace and adding seating on three sides, not just one or two. The kitchen is outfitted with a gas stovetop and wall oven, another homeowner preference, as well as both a storage pantry and a service pantry.
Upstairs, unwind in a well-designed owner’s suite. The large bedroom, luxury bath, and huge walk-in closet give a comfortable, inviting space to call your own. Two more second-floor bedrooms (both with walk-in closets) share another full bath, and the laundry room can be accessed from your bedroom as well as the hall. Finishing up the second-floor layout is a massive game room.
If you’re searching for a truly versatile home design with a large yard, don’t miss out on this new construction home at The Preserve at Cattail in Clayton, NC!
2,993 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2-car garage
$614,700
The Apex is one of New Home Inc.’s most popular designs, and for many good reasons. For the residence at 129 Charlotte Knoll Street, the builder chose the Georgian elevation, featuring stacked front porches (main and second floors). The accent of brickwork with the columns creates can’t-miss appeal on this stately home, which sits on a 0.78-acre corner lot.
Natural light fills the main living area, which includes a cafe space with a vaulted ceiling. Take in the full view of the expanded covered patio from every corner of this open area—whether working in the gourmet kitchen, sitting by the gas fireplace in the living room, or having your morning coffee in the cafe. Set behind the open concept is the fourth bedroom, tucked away for privacy and adjacent to the half-bath.
Do you need more than one office? This floor plan features two pocket offices on the main floor, set next to one another, so that you can set up a productivity-enhancing suite!
The large owner’s suite sits on the second level, occupying the full width of the home. Two more bedrooms share a full bath with dual vanities. The game room provides plenty of options for flex space: fitness studio, family room, media center, hobby space, or a rec room for your kids.
Livability is the blend of comfort, luxury, and thoughtful design—and it’s all here in slightly under 3,000 square feet.
2,999 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2-car garage
$644,700
If you’ve got your heart set on a large house with an equally large corner lot, take a look at 36 Henry Crest Drive, the first home on this street within The Preserve at Cattail. New Home Inc. is building The Apex plan—nearly 3,000 square feet of interior space— on an expansive 2.08-acre homesite. Two acres surround this gorgeous new construction home! What will you do with a large, private yard? Gardens? Hardscaping? Play area? How about all of it?!
The open concept main floor includes a cafe with three fixed 2X2 windows that overlook the backyard, giving you a wide view of your spacious yard. The living room fireplace is accented by built-ins on each side. Take it all in from the gourmet kitchen, outfitted with everything you need and want to feel like a gourmet chef—gas stovetop, wall oven, oversized island with seating on three sides, ample storage, and a service pantry with a sink and window.
Two pocket offices off the foyer can serve as workspaces, an office suite, or whatever you need to fit your home to your lifestyle. And the home’s fourth bedroom is nestled to the side of the open floor plan, with the added convenience of a full bath and walk-in shower.
The second floor’s owner’s suite offers the perfect retreat when you need some time to yourself. The large bedroom connects to a luxury bath with a super shower that delivers the spa treatment you deserve. From your bedroom, you can step into the laundry room (and the freestanding, tub-style laundry sink), which is also accessible from the hallway—so the occupants of the two other upstairs bedrooms can handle their own laundry!
How would you use the second-floor game room? There’s so much space here that you can get very creative!
3,029 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2-car garage
$639,700
The charm of the Craftsman style of architecture distinguishes the new construction home at 147 Charlotte Knoll Street. The Garner plan, designed specifically for The Preserve at Cattail, presents more than 3,000 square feet of interior living space, sensibly laid out for comfort, convenience, and luxury living.
Protect your home deliveries with the Smart Door Delivery Center, an enclosed space between your front exterior and interior doors. Then, enter into a foyer with wainscotted walls and into the sun-drenched open floor plan, a smart layout that integrates living, working, and the luxury of living in a thoughtfully designed home.
Living happens in the open space that fills most of the main floor. Get comfy by the fireplace in the family room, accentuated with the storage afforded by built-in cabinets and shelves on both sides.
When you’re busy in the kitchen, you won’t miss out on the activity. Whether you’re cooking, serving, cleaning up, or grabbing a cup of coffee or a quick snack, the open concept keeps you connected. The Garner’s kitchen also has the very desirable feature of a walk-in pantry and a butler’s pantry, with cabinets, countertop, and sink. And it sits next to a pocket office, a small space that can serve many functions.
For a larger workspace than the pocket office, set up in the home office in the front of the main level. With both a walk-in closet and adjacent full bath, you can put in a full workday and get everything done!
The second level of this home is designed with comfort and privacy for every member of the family. Three bedrooms and the owner’s suite are smartly spaced and situated so everyone can escape for quiet time. Two bedrooms share a jack-and-jill full bath, while the other secondary bedroom in one corner accesses another full bathroom and includes a walk-in closet. Is this the junior suite that one of your family members needs?
The owner’s suite occupies the rear of the second floor. Two walk-in closets border the bedroom, a feature that many owners appreciate. The bathroom has dual vanities and an oversized, walk-in shower and separate water closet.
Finally, this new construction home at The Preserve at Cattail has a bonus room on the second level. How can you make use of a large, open space at the top of the stairs?
3,029 square feet, 2 stories, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2-car garage
$644,700
If you’re looking to live large by the lake, you just might find your new home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, coming to life at 201 Charlotte Knoll Street. New Home Inc. is building The Garner’s 3,029-square-foot floor plan, a Cattail exclusive, on a 1.57-acre homesite. Designed specifically for Cattail’s luxury lakeside living, The Garner presents a stunning residence of generous spaces that flow sensibly and provide a long list of comforts. The wood floors and custom cabinets glow with the natural light streaming through the windows—while energy efficient design manages a comfortable climate throughout your home.
The wide open space in the main living area blends a large family room, kitchen, and dining area. From every space here, you can see the fireplace—accented by built-ins on each side—the covered patio, and beyond to your large backyard.
Families love the kitchen in this home. The expansive area of the center island offers up a great workspace, as well as comfortable seating on three sides. And imagine the value of having both a walk-in pantry and a service pantry, where you have additional cabinets and a sink. Perfect for entertaining!
The first-floor of this Cattail home includes a spacious room with a walk-in closet and adjacent full bath. Use it for an office, a guest room, a fifth bedroom…or whatever you need!
Four bedrooms are situated on the second floor, with the laundry room in the center, and a big game room at the top of the stairs. Step into your owner’s suite and you might not want to come out. The large bedroom is designed with two walk-in closets and a spa bath.
Big home, big yard…big opportunity to live by Cattail Lake!
The beautiful land surrounding Cattail Lake is becoming the most unique community of new construction homes in the region. Think rustic with modern. Serenity balanced with close proximity. And stunning new homes for sale in Clayton, NC, that raise the standard for living in one of the fastest growing towns in Johnston County!
Start your new life right now, by contacting the new home specialists of Cattail to get more information about the first phase of this community, before the opportunities slip away.