September 28, 2026
Cattail is a new waterfront community in a popular Raleigh suburb that is quickly growing. Luxury homes and large yards are just two of the advantages to moving here. The model home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, is now open. Plan a visit to get a close-up view of the unique features, quality craftsmanship, and desirable location waiting for you near Raleigh.
Cattail is coming to life in Clayton, about 14 miles southeast of Raleigh. With the major roadways connecting Clayton to Raleigh, you can easily get to the city and home again. And when you are back home, you’ll experience the Cattail lifestyle—living in a serene setting that’s close to everything you want and need, but feels like a private oasis.
This waterfront community near Raleigh sits on 575 acres of pristine land that is being carefully developed to maintain the family legacy that spans generations. Rob Bailey, of R&R Development, is the grandson of AZ Thompson, who purchased the land about a half-century ago. Other than the dam and millhouse that were built in the 1930s, the land remained untouched under the family’s stewardship. AZ, a developer himself, wanted a place where his family could enjoy a quiet getaway.
The land was held in a family trust until 2023, when Rob and his business partner, Rich Van Tassel, acquired it. Rob had spent many holidays on this property, and also enjoyed fishing trips with his grandfather, AZ. His experience provides a unique perspective on the future of the land that has been in his family for fifty years.
Rob describes Cattail as “a living tribute to the Thompson family legacy.
“We’re not just developing land,” he says. “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.”
Rob and RIch have a clear vision for Cattail and these new homes for sale in Clayton, NC. With 575 acres, they could build a massive, master-planned community. Instead, they chose to offer a lifestyle. Large homes with spacious yards, starting at a half-acre and as large as two acres! Quality is the priority, not quantity.
In keeping with this plan, Rob and Rich selected just four builders to join their Cattail development: Crosswind Custom Homes, Homes By Dickerson, New Home Inc., and Royalty Homes. Each builder has a selection of homesites and a portfolio of floor plans. They are deeply experienced in custom building, so you can be sure to work with professionals who know how to create something extraordinary!
Your new home will be within one of the enclaves planned for Cattail. In the first phase, two enclaves are underway: The Peninsula at Cattail, with lakefront property, and The Preserve at Cattail, a short walk from the shore. The community is designed for privacy, with the large yards and cul-de-sacs.
The Cattail floor plans range from 1,871 to 4,700 square of indoor living space—with room to transform your home into exactly what you want, inside and out. Use your yard to accommodate your outside interests, like a garden, play space, quiet retreat, hobby, or entertaining. Living at Cattail is more than a home. It is truly a lifestyle.
The Cattail lifestyle is enhanced by the amenities, which have been designed to provide recreation, relaxation, socializing, and the opportunity to enjoy the natural environment that surrounds your new home.
Cattail residents will have a stunning view from the lakeside swimming pool. What a great place to watch the sunset! The pool has cabanas and a pergola where you can picnic or grab a little shade. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits set a welcome place to have a cozy gathering. Or take it inside the clubhouse, which also overlooks Cattail Lake.
Just beyond the pool and clubhouse, the community lawn serves as a town common. Bring your lawn games, start an impromptu concert, join friends for yoga or tai chi, or use the green space for a special event. Maybe set up an easel and feel the inspiration of your beautiful lakefront view to capture the landscape on canvas. For hikers, joggers, and cyclists, paved trails wind throughout the community.
And let’s not forget the main attraction: Cattail Lake! Take to the water to paddle, drop a line at the fishing area, and sit out on your private dock. The 80-acre lake is surrounded by 2.5 miles of shoreline, so whether you go out on the lake or just enjoy the close proximity, Cattail life enriches your spirit.
Every detail about Cattail has been carefully designed to give you and your family a year ‘round staycation. You’ll live on the outskirts of Raleigh—with all the fun and energy of one of the most popular cities in the country. Your Cattail home is minutes from Downtown Clayton, an expanding district where you’ll find your favorite local shops, eateries, cafes, music, the arts, and night life.
Are you ready to do something special for yourself? Come and see Cattail for the full view of what life here can give you and your family. The brand new model home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, is now open and ready to give you a glimpse of your future.
While all four builders are constructing homes in The Peninsula at Cattail, New Home Inc. is the exclusive builder for The Preserve at Cattail. One of just two enclaves in the community’s first phase, The Preserve at Cattail sits a short walk from the shore.
Located at 92 Merritt Lake Avenue, the Cattail model home showcases The Apex floor plan, a two-story design with nearly 3,000 square feet of indoor living space on a 0.79-acre lot. This version of The Apex shows the Georgian elevation, a classic design that’s distinguished by the symmetry and balance. The stately curb appeal of this home is enhanced with the additional porch on the second level, above the first-floor entry’s porch, and the side-loaded, three-car garage.
New Home Inc. has been recognized for innovative design, and you’ll see their award-winning feature right at the entry. The Smart Door Delivery Center is an enclosed space between an exterior and an interior front door. Protected by a smart lock that you program, the Smart Door Delivery Center protects your home deliveries from the climate and passersby. Provide the code to the delivery person and they unlock only this area, with no access to the interior of your home. The package is left and the door automatically relocks. And you can change the code as often as you want.
Once inside the front door, both the Smart Door Delivery Center and foyer are detailed with wainscoting. Natural light fills the open floor plan, highlighting the warmth of the wood floors. French doors separate dual pocket offices off the foyer—two flex rooms to use for work or fun.
The kitchen of The Apex floor plan is one of the highlights that attracts so much attention. Designed to accommodate all the needs of your kitchen—cooking, cleaning, serving, entertaining, and chatting. From anywhere in your kitchen, you can see the entire main living area, the rear patio, and the backyard.
The kitchen’s oversized center island has seating on three sides, a definite perk for casual dining. Custom cabinetry in the Cattail model home is finished with glass doors above the countertop and with drawers below, a preference for today’s homebuyers. The dual wall oven makes it easier to juggle multiple dishes. Combined with a six-burner gas stovetop, you’ll feel like a chef!
The value of this gourmet kitchen goes beyond the main area. Step through the pocket door to the service pantry, called a “messy kitchen” by New Home Inc.’s designers. Here’s your prep and storage area. Use the cabinets, countertops, and sink to stay organized without cluttering up your kitchen. The messy kitchen then connects you to New Home Inc.’s “power pantry”, a supersized storage space.
The living room is both cozy and spacious, accented by a gas fireplace with built-in cabinets on both sides and a decorative woodwork surround. The cafe area features a vaulted ceiling. With the natural sunlight streaming through the windows, the extra height in this area, and the backyard view, dining will be a form of therapy! You’ll spend many hours here, whether dining or just enjoying a quiet moment and appreciating the comfort of a thoughtfully designed home.
The Apex floor plan is designed for large families. Four bedrooms and three full baths give every member the privacy they want.
On the main floor, a junior suite is tucked into the side of the layout, accessible from the main living area as well as the family entry from the garage. Teens, adult children, and older family members will welcome having a bedroom and full bath that’s set apart from the upstairs bedrooms.
Upstairs, the owner’s suite in this Cattail model home provides everything you want when you’re ready to step away from family living. The bedroom is large enough to include a sitting area or workout space—or both! Step out onto your own covered porch, an outdoor living space just for you!
Your luxury continues into the owner’s bath, where New Home Inc. has chosen an oversized, walk-in spa shower with built-in niches and multiple shower heads. Dual but separate vanities and an enclosed toilet room make this bathroom ideal for sharing without oversharing.
Equally great for sharing is the massive walk-in closet with built-in wooden shelves next to the owner’s bath. There’s enough space to transform the closet into a highly functional dressing room.
The thoughtful design of this model home is evident with the laundry room placement. Access it from your owner’s bathroom or the hallway, a convenient way to manage an inconvenient chore. To make this room even more functional, it’s outfitted with an undermount sink and cabinets.
The occupants of the home’s second and third bedrooms will appreciate the vestibule entries, tucking them back a bit from the hallway. They have comfort and privacy, sharing only a full bath with dual vanities.
The stairs to the second floor lead you to a carpeted loft, another flex space to use as you want. A playroom? A hobby studio? Media room? The Apex floor plan is designed around giving homeowners the versatility to shape their home to fit their lifestyle, not the other way around.
New Home Inc. is a local Raleigh homebuilder that has earned a reputation for building homes with great value. They include a list of standard features that is far above “standard”.
Smart technology is built into our daily lives, so it makes sense to build it into a new home. The model home at 92 Merritt Lake Avenue in Cattail—like all of those designed and built by New Home Inc.—supports your technology needs for the present and the future.
Move into a home that accommodates the security and convenience of smart home automation: a Ring doorbell, Ecobee smart thermostat, WiFi garage door opener, and smart door locks, along with the Smart Door Delivery Center. Plus, all homes are wired with CAT6 ethernet cable, an improvement that delivers stronger, more reliable connectivity throughout the home—with no dead zones!
You’ll appreciate the ease of adding new technology to your home, because the smart home panel makes it easy.
We’ve learned a lot about the value of fresh air and safe environments. New Home Inc. turned that knowledge into action by incorporating healthy home features. The whole-home air filtration system cleanses the air of dust, allergens, and pollutants. The system cycles multiple times per hour, working hard so you can breathe easy.
Energy efficiency is also a powerful feature. New Home Inc. has engineered the design to reflect the latest in environmental protections. From the quality of the thermal windows to the effectiveness of the insulation and sheathing, the home is protected against air leaks that waste energy and drive up your utility bill.
As proof that this home is eco-friendly, it has been independently inspected and Home Energy Rating System (HERS) certified, a national standard for measuring energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. When you’’re shopping for new homes for sale near Raleigh, be sure to know a home’s HERS rating before you invest in buying it. The difference can be costly!
The model home at Cattail in Clayton, NC, is now open. Get a sneak preview by clicking here to take a virtual tour and view the video.
When you come to Cattail, plan to tour the other homes under construction and available for sale. These quick move-in homes have been designed by the exclusive builders to incorporate smart design, comfort, and quality that reflects the standard for this brand new waterfront homes for sale near Raleigh. If you find a new home that’s under construction at Cattail, you’re closer to moving in and can experience the Cattail lifestyle sooner.
Of course, once you walk through the model home, you might want to create your next adventure from the ground up. Walk the available lots in the current phase (the first one) and then talk to one of the builders about your vision.
Reach out to a Cattail New Home Specialist to discover the many ways that this exciting community will change your life for the better!