Portofino, Clayton NC: Neighborhood Guide and Homes for Sale

Caul Group Residential, brokered by eXp Realty

Portofino is a gated neighborhood of custom homes along the Neuse River in Clayton, in Johnston County. County records show about 455 single-family homes, built from 2008 on, with a median of about 3,261 heated square feet on lots of about 0.89 acres. The 33 recorded sales from October 2025 through September 2026 had a median of $845,000.

Here is where Portofino is, the amenities, what the homes are like, recent sale prices, the HOA dues and how to check school assignment.

Where Portofino is

Portofino has Clayton addresses in the 27527 ZIP code, along the Neuse River east of downtown Clayton (Portofino HOA; Johnston County and NC OneMap parcel records).

Road distances from the HOA clubhouse at 29 Allesandra Drive (OpenStreetMap routing, October 2026):

  • Clayton Town Hall (The Clayton Center): 7.4 miles
  • Carolina Premium Outlets, Smithfield: 14.6 miles
  • Garner Town Hall: 18.0 miles
  • WakeMed Raleigh Campus: 22.1 miles
  • NC State Capitol, downtown Raleigh: 22.7 miles
  • RDU Airport: 38.2 miles
  • Research Triangle Park: 40.6 miles

A short history

County records show the first Portofino homes in 2008. 262 were built from 2008 to 2019 and 193 from 2020 on, including 10 in 2025 or later (Johnston County property records). Portofino earned the NC Home Builders Association 2010 Community of the Year Award and is an Audubon International Signature Program member (Portofino HOA).

What is in Portofino

The HOA lists these features (Portofino HOA):

  • A gated entry, with resident passes for the gate, clubhouses and pools.
  • Over seven miles of nature trails.
  • Two pools and clubhouses.
  • A fishing pond.
  • Onsite equestrian facilities.
  • Views along the Neuse River.

Homes in Portofino

Across the 455 homes (Johnston County property records, October 2026):

  • Year built: 2013 at the 10th percentile, 2019 median, 2022 at the 90th percentile
  • Heated area: 2,746 square feet at the 10th percentile, 3,261 median, 4,339 at the 90th percentile
  • Lot size: 0.89 acres median, 0.58 to 1.99 acres for the middle 80%

Homes are built by builders on the HOA approved builders list, which names several custom builders. County records show about 26 lots without a home yet, so some new construction continues (Portofino HOA; Johnston County property records).

Recent sale prices

Johnston County records show 33 recorded sales from October 2025 through September 2026. The median was $845,000, the middle 80% ranged from about $680,000 to $1,135,000, and the range ran from $470,000 to $1,750,000. 30 were resales, with a median of $832,000 (Johnston County property records).

HOA

The Portofino Subdivision Homeowners Association, Inc. charges $175 per month. Its January 2026 disclosure lists a $500 working capital contribution at each closing and a $177 certification fee from the management company. Dues cover the gate, common area landscaping, recreation area maintenance, stormwater ponds, insurance and management (Portofino HOA disclosure). Ask for the dues, any special assessments and the resale fees for a specific home on the NC Residential Property and Owners' Association Disclosure Statement.

The Portofino market right now

For the 27527 ZIP code, which covers east Clayton, Redfin reports for the three months ending September 2026:

  • Median sale price: $391,885, down 5.6% year over year
  • Median days on market: 55, compared with 32 a year earlier
  • Homes sold in September: 148, compared with 141 a year earlier
  • Sale-to-list price: 98.6%
  • Homes sold above list price: 16.5%
  • Homes with a price drop: 48.5%

What it means: the 27527 median was about $392,000, and Portofino sells at more than twice that. Homes in the ZIP took about 55 days to sell, so Portofino sellers should plan for a careful launch, strong photos and pricing built on Portofino sales, not ZIP figures.

Assigned schools

Portofino is served by Johnston County Public Schools, not the Wake County system. Schools are assigned by address and assignments can change, so confirm the assignment for a specific address with Johnston County Public Schools.

Things to do nearby

  • Portofino trails, pools, pond and equestrian center, inside the neighborhood.
  • Downtown Clayton and The Clayton Center, about 7.4 miles away.
  • Carolina Premium Outlets in Smithfield, about 14.6 miles away.
  • Downtown Raleigh, about 23 miles away.

Buying in Portofino: what to check

  • The builder, year built and finishes.
  • Lot size, river or pond views, and any floodplain on the lot.
  • Well, septic or utility service for the specific home.
  • HOA dues, gate access and architectural rules.
  • School assignment by exact address with Johnston County Public Schools.

See our buyer services page for how we help buyers.

Selling in Portofino: what buyers ask about

  • The builder and the custom features of the home.
  • Lot size and views.
  • Recent comparable Portofino sales.
  • HOA dues and amenities.
  • Drive times to Raleigh.

See how we sell homes, or start with a home value estimate.

Portofino FAQs

Where is Portofino?

Portofino is along the Neuse River in Clayton, Johnston County, ZIP 27527, about 7.4 miles by road from The Clayton Center.

How many homes are in Portofino?

Johnston County records show about 455 single-family homes, built from 2008 on, on lots with a median of about 0.89 acres.

What do homes in Portofino cost?

Johnston County records show 33 sales from October 2025 through September 2026, with a median of $845,000 and a range of $470,000 to $1,750,000.

Is Portofino gated?

Yes. Portofino has a gated entry, and residents use passes for the gate, clubhouses and pools.

What are the HOA dues in Portofino?

The January 2026 HOA disclosure lists $175 per month, a $500 working capital contribution at closing and a $177 certification fee.

What amenities does Portofino have?

The HOA lists over seven miles of nature trails, two pools, a fishing pond and onsite equestrian facilities.

Which schools serve Portofino?

Schools are assigned by Johnston County Public Schools. Confirm the assignment for a specific address with Johnston County Public Schools.

Thinking of selling in Portofino?

Portofino homes are custom built, so no two are alike and pricing comes down to size, lot, finishes and age. We price from recent Portofino sales of similar homes, not a ZIP average.

Caul Group Residential is the #1 Resale Team in the Triangle. Our office is at 201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27511. RealTrends Verified 2026 (based on 2025 sales) ranks our team, "Caul Team," #1 in Raleigh by sides and by volume. See the RealTrends profile. We have 5.0 stars on Zillow from 1,200+ reviews (Oct 2026). Read the reviews.

More on the area: Clayton, Flowers Plantation, Garner and Raleigh.