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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.

$419,900
3 Beds 3 Baths 10191699 MLS ACTIVE Status
Custom built by ICG Homes, this beautifully designed home offers exceptional architectural detail, generous living spaces and thoughtful finishes throughout. The eye-catching exterior showcases a beautiful mix of stone accents and architectural siding, complemented by a large welcoming front porch with freshly painted shutters and columns. Step inside to an exquisite entry with hardwood floors and substantial custom millwork, including wide baseboards and beautifully trimmed windows. Unique custom trim and attractive lighting continue throughout the main living areas and into the open dining room. The show stopping kitchen features warm cream Castle style cabinetry, granite countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a 5-burner gas range, spacious pantry and oversized eat in island with double stainless steel sink. An adjoining breakfast nook with a bay window fills the space with natural light. The fantastic living area features custom built-in cabinetry and a gas log fireplace with tile surround and crisp white mantel, creating a beautiful focal point while maintaining an open connection to the kitchen. Upstairs, new carpet leads to a spacious open loft offering flexible space for a second living area, home office, media room or playroom. The impressive primary suite features a tray ceiling and bay window, along with a spa inspired bath complete with a large tiled walk in shower with glass enclosure, separate soaking tub, custom cabinetry, double vanity, attractive lighting and an expansive walk in closet. Generously sized secondary bedrooms, a well appointed shared bath and a large, conveniently located laundry room complete the second floor. Another standout feature is the solar panel system, which will be paid off at closing and transfer to the new owner. Enjoy the benefit of exceptionally low electric bills, with recent utility bills available in TransactionDesk for review. Additional 2026 improvements include a brand new water heater, select updated windows and new upstairs carpet. Outside, relax on the back patio overlooking the surrounding yard. Massey Preserve offers a wonderful community lifestyle with a clubhouse, pool overlooking the pond, playground and scenic neighborhood pond, all in a convenient Raleigh location near I 540, shopping, dining, grocery stores and everyday conveniences.

3607 Massey Pond Trl, Raleigh

$789,000
3 Beds 2 Baths 10191701 MLS ACTIVE Status
Some homes announce themselves the moment you arrive, and 517 Cole St is one of them. Set on a tree-lined street in the Glenwood-Brooklyn Historic District, this 1925 American Foursquare has the kind of pedigree that can't be replicated by anything built today. Step inside and the hardwood floors carry you into a living room anchored by a fireplace and crowned by a show-stopping original staircase, the unmistakable signature of a genuine century-old Raleigh home. Light pours in throughout, giving the front rooms an easy, welcoming warmth that's been part of this house since 1925. The kitchen tells a different, more contemporary chapter: thoughtfully updated for modern living, but careful never to erase the character around it. Down the hall, a wood-paneled bonus room offers a quiet retreat — the kind of space made for a bedroom, home office, a library, or simply a favorite reading chair. Three bedrooms and a bath and a half round out the interior, proof that historic homes don't need to be large to be extraordinary — just well-loved. In 2021 the home was updated with a new furnace and HVAC system; 2017 new hot water heater; 2025 new gutters, and interior and exterior paint. Outside, the story continues. A fully fenced backyard and mature landscaping create a private, established feel rare this close to downtown, while a versatile backyard shed adds flexibility — studio, office, or garden retreat, whichever you need it to be. Walk out the front door and Five Points, Glenwood South, Fletcher Park, and the Village District are all within easy reach — the best of intown Raleigh living, anchored by a neighborhood that has been treasured for well over a century. 517 Cole St isn't a new home dressed up to look old. It's the real thing — and it's ready for its next chapter.

517 Cole St, Raleigh

$1,780,000
3 Beds 4 Baths 10191691 MLS ACTIVE Status
2009 Cotswood marks an early chapter in Oldfourth, Hope Valley's newest address for refined single-family living. Part of the Cottage Collection, the Avon floor plan was conceived for those who value both craftsmanship and convenience — set just steps from the storied Donald Ross-designed course at Hope Valley Country Club. Step through the front door and you're greeted by abundant light pouring down through two-story windows. The space draws you in through a quiet, intimate moment — before opening beautifully into the heart of the home. There, a sprawling open concept comes alive: the island kitchen, designated dining, and living space weave seamlessly together, and outward to the covered patio, as you move through. The primary suite anchors the first floor in quiet comfort, offering the rare luxury of single-level living — complete with a spa-like bath and an expansive walk-in closet built for a curated wardrobe. A dedicated laundry room and an oversized mudroom — tucked just off the attached two-car garage — round out the main level with quiet practicality. Climb the stairs and you'll find two ensuite bedrooms, each with generous closet space, alongside an expansive bonus room ideal for a private retreat of its own. Outside, a covered porch and a well-proportioned lawn extend the living space into the open air. Opportunities like this are rare — a first-floor primary suite in one of Hope Valley's most coveted and anticipated offerings, ideally positioned within Durham's desirable southwest corridor and offering effortless access to all things Durham, Chapel Hill, RTP, RDU, and the greater Triangle.

2009 Cotswood Ln, 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 .