Cary, NC Mortgages

Cary, NC Mortgages

Cary is one of the highest-rated planned communities in the United States — a Wake County town anchored by SAS, MetLife, Epic Games, and a steady inflow of Triangle tech workers. Cary's combination of top-ranked schools, planned-community feel, and proximity to both Raleigh and Research Triangle Park has pushed the median home price into the $575,000–$650,000 range. OpenKey Mortgage Advisors works as an independent broker shopping 50+ wholesale lenders for every Cary mortgage.

Cary Mortgage Programs at a Glance

• Conventional Loans — the dominant Cary program for tech, finance, and dual-income buyers. 3% down for first-time buyers, 5% standard.
• Jumbo Loans — for Cary executive and luxury homes above the $806,500 conforming limit — increasingly common in Preston, MacGregor Downs, and the new high-end developments.
• First-Time Homebuyer Programs — conventional 3% down (HomeReady/Home Possible) is the best fit for first-time Cary buyers with 620+ credit.
• FHA Loans — 3.5% down, 580+ credit. Wake County's 2026 FHA limit is $546,250 — below most Cary median prices, but useful for entry-level buyers in less-expensive Cary submarkets.
• VA Loans — $0 down, no PMI. Strong for Triangle-area Veterans.
• Self-Employed Home Loans — bank statement and 1099 programs for Cary's many independent tech contractors, real estate agents, and consultants.
• Two-Property Mortgage — used by Cary move-up buyers in fast-moving submarkets where contingency offers lose.
• First Lien HELOC — popular with disciplined high-earners; daily-paydown structure.

Cary Real Estate Snapshot

• Median home price: approximately $575,000–$650,000
• FHA loan limit (2026): $546,250 (Wake County)
• Conforming loan limit (2026): $806,500
• Major employers: SAS Institute (headquartered in Cary), MetLife, Epic Games, Cisco (Research Triangle), American Airlines, Quintiles/IQVIA, plus all Triangle employers within commute range
• Submarkets: Preston, Lochmere, Amberly, MacGregor Downs, Greenwood Forest, Cary Park, Carpenter Village, Apex border, Morrisville border

Why Cary's Pricing Demands Conventional

Cary's median home price has pushed past most government-loan limits, which means the vast majority of Cary buyers end up in conventional financing — either standard conventional under $806,500, or jumbo above. The two-property mortgage program is also unusually popular in Cary because the schools are good enough that move-up buyers don't want to lose a target home to a non-contingency offer.

Talk to a Cary Mortgage Broker

Whether you're relocating to Cary for SAS, buying in MacGregor Downs, or moving up to a new-construction Amberly home, OpenKey shops 50+ wholesale lenders to find your lowest-cost conventional or jumbo rate.

Call or text Samantha Payne at (864) 387-8964, email Samantha@openkeymortgage.com, or visit openkeymortgageadvisors.com. OpenKey Mortgage Advisors LLC. NMLS Company ID 2812158. Samantha Payne, NMLS #2743877. Licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina. Equal Housing Opportunity.