RALEIGH, N.C. — The cost of buying a home in the Triangle is on the rise and out of reach for many people. A Wake County developer does not have the answer for everyone, but he could have a great deal for just the right person.

Most drivers zipping along Ebenezer Church Road probably do not even notice the sign, but it is legit. The co-owners of Mammoth Grading were told to demolish an old home, but they had a different idea.

"[We] collaborated in our office and with the owners of the project and we decided that why not put a sign out and see if we can't have somebody make good use of it," developer Paul Mascia said.

"It's a very well-built house. The interior is very solid. It needs cosmetic work, but the structure itself seems very sound," developer Steve Kaiser said.

However, nothing in life is completely free. To get the three-bedroom, two-bath house, you have to pay to haul it away.

As the house sits waiting for a mover or buyer, crews are clearing the way for 13 brand-new homes. The neighbors hired a lawyer and battled the developer over density and maintaining a natural buffer zone. With that fight settled, the developers said giving the house away was their way of giving back.

"We're trying to make and improve areas and make them suitable for everyone and make everybody happy and sometimes, it's difficult to do that, but we try," Kaiser said.

WRAL talked to a contractor who moves houses. He said it would cost about $8,000 to move the home. A home behind the free home is on the market for $435,000.

For more information, please call 848-1010.