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Active 55+ and Seniors

With its moderate climate, affordable cost of living and excellent medical care, our region is a popular place to retire. North Carolina ranks 9th nationally in residents who are 65 and older, and within five years 1 in 5 residents will be at least 65.

At Local Market Realty, we are dedicated to serving the older members of our community, whether they are selling their home or buying something new. Both Michele Burris and Sue Fox are certified as Seniors Real Estate Specialists, and between us we have 35 years of experience.

Each year, we help people from around the country retire to beautiful homes in Chapel Hill, Cary, Durham, Chatham County and the surrounding areas. There are many thriving Active 55+ communities here, featuring both new construction and resales of homes. We know them all, as well as the well-regarded network of independent and assisted-living homes in our area.

Even if you are interested in buying a new home in a development, it pays to use a buyer’s agent. We are strong advocates for our buyers, and we hold the builder accountable to make sure you get the home you want at a fair price. With years of experience in new construction, we can help you secure the precise floor plan, lot, and any changes you need, as well as the best price. Sometimes we can even negotiate extras like appliance packages and other upgrades, depending on how well the community is selling – which we will research for you. As a new buyer, you need someone experienced on your side. Builders are interested in selling their product quickly; we are interested in protecting our buyers!

We also help older residents prepare to sell their homes. Selling a longtime home can be overwhelming. When it’s time to downsize, people are often unsettled by the prospect of organizing, packing up, repairing and selling the house. They may need help finding a new home, or deciding on a 55-plus community or assisted-living home. 

Our experienced and caring agents make it easy. We have a long list of trusted de-cluttering and staging experts, estate sale companies, movers, attorneys, tax and estate planners, lenders and anything else you could need. We will sell your home for the maximum price with the minimum stress.

$920,000
3 Beds 4 Baths 10192389 MLS ACTIVE Status
Minutes from the UNC, NC Botanical Gardens and Morgan Creek this special Chapel Hill property offers a peaceful .83-acre setting with mature landscaping, thoughtful outdoor spaces and a flexible floor plan. The home lives much like a ranch on the main level, with two bedrooms and two full baths on the main, while the entire lower level provides exceptional flexibility, including a kitchenette (no stove), studio/office or 4th bedroom, sunroom, spacious 3rd bedroom with attached full bath, separate living area, additional 4th full bath and abundant storage. With two separate exterior access points, this level can easily accommodate guests, extended living, hobbies, a home office or a variety of other uses. The downstairs sunroom brings in beautiful natural light and offers views of the maturely landscaped grounds. The spacious living room upstairs spans the depth of the home from front to back, with a beautiful bay window and distinct areas for both living and sitting. It opens directly to the screened porch overlooking the backyard, with additional access to the porch from the second bedroom. The porch and surrounding grounds create a wonderful connection to the outdoors and offer multiple peaceful places to enjoy the property. Details including beautiful hardwood floors, fresh interior paint and the home's distinctive character add to its appeal. Outside, the two-car carport is connected to a structure with three enclosed storage areas, providing plenty of useful space for storage, hobbies or other needs. Set in a convenient Chapel Hill location, this is a property with character, space and a truly flexible floor plan—offering both privacy and easy access to some of Chapel Hill's most desirable amenities.

1126 Sourwood Dr, Chapel Hill

$535,000
2 Beds 2 Baths 10192385 MLS ACTIVE Status
What happens when an architect and a product designer make a historic Durham loft their home? At 701 West Trinity Avenue, Unit 117, the original owners brought their design sensibility to a home with great bones, creating a place that feels distinctly its own: thoughtful, expressive, and beautifully attuned to the way people live. Every intervention celebrates the character of the original volume while adding layers of function, privacy, storage, and delight. Part of Trinity Lofts, a 17-residence community adapted from a 1920s tobacco warehouse, this 1,457-square-foot end unit offers 2 bedrooms, 2 beautifully renovated bathrooms, plus a dedicated enclosed study/flex room—a rare bonus space within the community. Concrete floors, exposed structure, soaring volume, and dramatic north- and west-facing windows celebrate the building's history, while peach-and-pink sunset light regularly steals the show. The double-height living area keeps cooking, dining, movie nights, and everyday life connected. A projector-ready wall creates an instant screening room, while custom upper cabinetry and cleverly integrated under-stair storage give spices, pantry goods, entertaining essentials—and even the Roomba—a place to disappear. Upstairs, the oversized primary bedroom easily accommodates a California king and sitting area. Its expanded closet features extensive custom storage, while the spa-like bath pairs dual round sinks and mirrors with penny tile, a custom vanity, and a glass-enclosed rain shower. The second bedroom offers a deep closet and the flexibility to evolve from guest room to office or nursery. The showstopper is a custom suspended lounge: part reading nook, play space, movie perch, and pure conversation piece. Wrapped in architectural screening to preserve light and connection, it captures the joyful spirit of a home designed for real life. Alongside it, an additional enclosed study/flex room—not counted among the loft's two bedrooms—adds valuable private space, with pocket and concealed doors that allow it to close off when needed without diminishing the loft's signature openness. Outside, choose between the Juliet balcony—perfect for sunset drinks or morning coffee—and a low-maintenance bluestone patio along the gated mews. A dedicated parking space and EV charger add everyday convenience. From here, Durham Central Park, the Farmers' Market, Motorco, Durham Food Hall, Cocoa Cinnamon, Geer Street Garden, Hutchins Garage, and downtown destinations are woven into daily life. It is a home where the neighborhood becomes an extension of the living room. Historic, inventive, and unmistakably Durham, this is a loft that was not simply renovated. It was observed, loved, and carefully adapted—gaining function, intimacy, and unexpected moments of joy while preserving the openness and industrial character that made the space extraordinary in the first place.

701 W Trinity Ave Unit 117, Durham

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Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2026 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .