How To Search for Cary Property Records

Property records are a treasure trove of information that buyers and investors can use to research real estate. Some essential details you can find in Cary property records include ownership history, tax assessments, liens, legal filings, zoning data, and more. These records are considered public records, which means that they are accessible to anyone who wants to view them or get copies. Since the Town of Cary exists in both Wake and Chatham Counties, knowing where to look is important. We have compiled a list of key resources below to help you find different types of Cary property records.

County Register of Deeds Offices

The Wake County Register of Deeds and Chatham County Register of Deeds maintain official copies of documents that involve the ownership, sale, or transfer of real property in Cary. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and plats. Each office provides an online tool that you can use to search for records by name, date, book and page, instrument number, and other criteria. Note that specific search options may vary by office. If you prefer to get copies of these records in person, you can visit the Register of Deeds office of the county where the property is located. Here are the addresses, contact numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Wake and Chatham Counties' Register of Deeds offices:

Wake County Register of Deeds

Wake County Justice Center

Suite 1700, 300 S. Salisbury St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

Phone: (919) 856-5460

Consolidated Real Property Index search tool

Chatham County Register of Deeds

Chatham County Courthouse Annex

1st Floor, 12 East St.

Pittsboro, NC 27312

Phone: (919) 542-8235

Remote Access search tool

County Tax Administration Departments

While most of Cary is located in Wake County, a neighborhood-sized portion of the town is also located in Chatham County. The tax administration department in each of these counties is responsible for ensuring that properties within their respective borders are fairly and uniformly valued for tax purposes and that property taxes are correctly calculated and distributed. Each department offers a search tool on its website that you can use to find a wide range of property details, including ownership information, sales history, valuation data, tax statements, payment history, and outstanding balances. You can typically search by name, address, and parcel/property ID number, though the specific search criteria and available scope of information may vary slightly by county. You can also visit the relevant tax administration department in person to make inquiries and get copies of necessary records. Here are the addresses, contact numbers, and direct links to the online search tools for the Wake and Chatham Counties' Tax Administration Departments:

Wake County Department of Tax Administration

Suite 3800, 301 S. McDowell St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

Phone: (919) 856-5400

Real Estate Property Search tool

Chatham County Department of Tax Administration

12 East St.

Pittsboro, NC 27312

Phone: (919) 542-8250 (Tax Listing Division) and (919) 542-8211 (Appraisal Division)

Tax Records Search platform

The department also has a Tax Collection Center located at 192 West St., Pittsboro, NC 27312; phone: (919) 542-8260.

County Courts

The Wake County and Chatham County courts are good sources for Cary property records related to legal actions or disputes, like foreclosures, liens, code enforcement cases, title disputes, and other similar civil judgments. The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers an eCourts portal that you can use to search for these records online by name and case number. You can also search for and request copies in person at the courthouse where the case was heard. Here are the addresses and contact numbers for the Wake and Chatham County courthouses:

Wake County Courthouse

316 Fayetteville St.

Raleigh, NC 27601.

Phone: (919) 792-4000

Chatham County Courthouse

40 S. White St.

Pittsboro, NC 27312

Phone: (919) 545-3500

Town of Cary Property Research Resources

The Town of Cary offers a property research map on its website that you can use to search for a property and get information like its location, boundaries, land use designation, zoning, recorded plats, and more. Because Cary exists in different counties, this tool can be handy for confirming the exact location of properties you may be interested in and accessing their key details.

Cary property taxes are a crucial funding source for local government services, including public schools, police and fire departments, emergency services, road maintenance, parks, and much more. The Wake or Chatham County Tax Administration Department (depending on the specific area where the property is located) is responsible for determining the value of property in Cary for tax purposes and also collecting these taxes. Property values are assessed using a mass appraisal process that involves analyzing market data (recent property sales, construction costs, and rental income) and adjusting for each property's unique characteristics. Your property's assessed value is the basis for calculating your tax bill. Both Wake County and Chatham County reassess properties every four years.

Property tax bills are typically mailed in July for Wake County and August for Chatham County, and payments are due by January 5th of the following year. A penalty of 2% will be added to taxes that aren't paid by this date, with an additional 0.75% for each month after January. In situations where the taxes remain unpaid, the county can place a lien on the property and may eventually foreclose on it to collect the debt. The Wake and Chatham County Tax Administration Departments offer multiple methods for paying property taxes, including online using credit/debit cards or e-checks, by mail, and in person at their respective offices. You can get additional information on available tax payment options by calling any of these numbers:

• Wake County Department of Tax Administration: (919) 856-5400.
• Chatham County Department of Tax Administration (Tax Collection Center): (919) 542-8260.

Assessments

The Wake and Chatham County Tax Administration Departments conduct property assessments for the Town of Cary. Properties are typically reassessed every four years using a mass appraisal system that analyzes market data and individual property features to determine their fair market value. These reassessments are effective January 1st of the reassessment year. Your property's assessed value usually remains the same for the full four-year cycle, but significant upgrades like additions or major renovations can prompt an off-cycle reassessment. The most recent revaluation in Wake County was in 2024, with the next scheduled for 2028, while that for Chatham County was in 2025, with the next scheduled for 2029.

You will typically be mailed a valuation notice in mid-January of reassessment years if your property is in Wake County, and before the end of spring for Chatham County. You will also be sent a notice for off-cycle reassessments. If you disagree with your assessment, you can first seek an informal review with the tax administration department. If it's not resolved at this level, you may file a formal appeal with either the Wake County or Chatham County Board of Equalization and Review, whichever is applicable. Appeals are accepted annually, but if you appeal in a non-reassessment year, you will have to demonstrate that an error existed as of the last official revaluation date; you cannot simply argue that market conditions have shifted. Appeals are usually due by late April for Wake County and mid-May for Chatham County. Exceptions may be made if you receive a value change notice after the appeal deadline. You can get additional information on property assessments and appeals in Cary by calling any of these numbers:

• Wake County Department of Tax Administration: (919) 856-5400.
• Chatham County Department of Tax Administration (Appraisal Division): (919) 542-8211.

Appraisals

Cary assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Because Cary, North Carolina, is spread across different counties, its median effective property tax rate varies depending on the property's location. For properties in Wake County, the median property tax rate is 1.01%, slightly lower than the national median of 1.02%, while for those in Chatham County, it's 1.03%, slightly higher than the national median. The average annual property tax bill in Cary also depends on the area in the town: $3,755 for properties in Wake and $4,499 for those in Chatham. These figures are both higher than the national average property tax bill of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Cary's tax rate compares to other counties in North Carolina:

• Brunswick County 0.43%
• Clay County 0.46%
• Durham County 1.31%
• Forsyth County 1.31%
• Gates County 1.03%
• Guilford County 1.35%
• Mecklenburg County 0.61%
• Pitt County 1.17%
• Randolph County 0.68%
• Robeson County 0.87%
• Sampson County 0.92%
• Union County 0.67%
• Washington County 1.05%

Exemptions

While Cary's property tax rates are on par with the national average, some homeowners may still find it difficult to manage their tax bills. Fortunately, several tax relief programs are available that can help reduce the annual tax burden for qualifying homeowners. These include:

• Elderly or Disabled Homestead Exclusion: This excludes either the first $25,000 or up to 50% (whichever is greater) from a property's taxable value. This program is available to residents who are 65 and older or permanently and totally disabled and meet specific income requirements.
• Disabled Veterans Exclusion: This excludes the first $45,000 from a property's taxable value. This program is available to honorably discharged veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability and their unmarried surviving spouses.

You can contact your county tax administration department to get more information on available tax relief programs, including the requirements to apply for one.

All new construction and most home improvement projects in Cary require permits. Exceptions may be made for cosmetic or minor work that does not alter a building's structure or systems, like painting, replacing windows in existing openings, and installing kitchen cabinets. The Cary Inspections and Permits Department oversees the town's permitting process. The department provides an online platform that you can use to apply for permits, schedule inspections, view inspection results, and pay necessary fees. Note that account registration may be required. You can also visit the department at 316 N. Academy St., Cary, NC 27513, for in-person services or call (919) 469-4046 for assistance.

Common types of permits available in Cary include:

• Building Permits: Required for new construction and structural alterations to existing buildings.

  • Residential Permits: Issued for projects involving single-family residential property.
  • Commercial Permits: Issued for projects involving multi-family and commercial property.

• Trade Permits: Required for specialized work on a building's systems.

  • Electrical Permits: For electrical work, including new wiring and system upgrades.
  • Mechanical Permits: For HVAC system installations or modifications.
  • Plumbing Permits: For installing or altering plumbing systems.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Located in the heart of North Carolina's famed Research Triangle, Cary is a thriving and highly desirable community known for its safe neighborhoods, extensive greenway network, and family-friendly environment. The town is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the U.S. to live, work, have fun, or do business. Cary is also home to several manufacturing and tech companies, including SAS Institute, one of the largest privately held software providers in the world.

Cary, North Carolina, has a population of 174,721 residents. The town has 76,557 housing units, with 67,964 occupied and 8,593 vacant, indicating an occupancy rate of around 89%. The town features a diverse mix of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, condos, and apartment complexes. Housing styles include Craftsman, Victorian, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Modern Farmhouse. The average price of a house in Cary, NC, is $623,198, which represents a 1.0% decrease from previous years. Keep in mind that house prices can vary significantly based on the area in the town. Here are a few examples of average home prices in different neighborhoods across Cary:

• Dutchess Village $477,488
• MacArthur Park $727,322
• Oakwood Heights $426,952
• Preston $956,292
• Russell Hills $519,150
• Upchurch Farms $605,559

The Cary, North Carolina, real estate market is competitive. Despite price fluctuations, the town remains a sought-after location in the Triangle area and continues to attract a steady flow of new residents, supported by a strong local economy and high quality of life. Homes in Cary typically receive multiple offers and go under contract in around 25 days, with about 32.5% of listed homes selling above the asking price.