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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.

$329,900
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 10192450 MLS ⋅ ACTIVE Status ⋅ Creator BLDG.
BUILD-TO-SUIT OPPORTUNITY in brand-new Ponder! Why settle for someone else's choices when you can make this one yours? The Creator by Garman Homes gives you the chance to build a home that fits the way you actually live. With 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and thoughtfully designed spaces. The open concept main floor is made for gathering, with a spacious kitchen at the center of it all. A dedicated mudroom keeps everyday clutter contained, while the pocket office is ready for working from home, homework, creative projects, or whatever brilliant idea you're cooking up next. Upstairs, the primary suite brings a little everyday luxury with a spa like shower and walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms share a connected bath, and the conveniently located laundry keeps the never ending sock situation close at hand. Add a 2-car garage & Garman's signature personality, and you've got a home that is equal parts practical, playful, and completely you. And the best part? You get to help make the choices. Select your finishes, personalize your spaces, and watch your future home come to life. BRAND NEW community. Fresh start. Your home, your way. Build-to-suit opportunities like this don't come around every day — especially in Ponder

404 Everlong Ln, Wendell
$389,990
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 10192447 MLS ⋅ ACTIVE Status ⋅ Garman Homes BLDG.
BUILD TO SUIT OPPORTUNITY in brand new Ponder! Your future home is not sitting on a shelf — and that's exactly the point. Meet the Castle in Brooklyn by Garman Homes! Offering 2,164 square feet of seriously good living space, with the chance to personalize the home from the very beginning. The main floor is all about options. A welcoming front porch leads into a thoughtful layout with the kitchen on one side and a private study on the other, because working from home deserves better than balancing your laptop on the kitchen counter. The kitchen opens to a spacious living and dining area, creating the perfect setup for everything from Tuesday night takeout to a full house on Saturday. Upstairs, two secondary bedrooms, a shared bath, laundry room and versatile loft give everyone a little room to spread out. Tucked toward the back, the primary suite is your escape from the noise, complete with a generous bedroom, walk in closet and a bathroom designed for unwinding. Need more flexibility? Make the plan your own with available options like a first floor guest suite, gourmet kitchen, screened porch, fireplace and more. And with Ponder designed for the way people actually live and work today, your home can be just as flexible as your schedule. Then there's the neighborhood. Ponder is lake living with a little more personality - think kayaking, trails, fishing, gathering spaces, and the future Ponder House with its wraparound porch and spaces designed for working, connecting and unwinding. This isn't just a chance to buy a house. It's a chance to build the house that fits your life. Pick your finishes. Choose your options. Make some excellent decisions. Build it your way. Live it your way. Welcome to Ponder.

1144 Lakehouse Ln, Wendell
$825,000
4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 10192448 MLS ⋅ COMING SOON Status
This is the one you've been waiting for. Thoughtfully reimagined from top to bottom, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home features a main-level primary suite, an exceptionally flexible floor plan, and multiple spaces to live, work and entertain. Located in Durham's Tuscaloosa-Lakewood neighborhood, 2519 Chapel Hill Road is just minutes from Duke University and Duke Forest, with convenient access to Durham favorites including Foster's Market and Cocoa Cinnamon. The location puts some of the city's most-loved destinations close at hand. Beautifully refinished hardwood floors carry through the open-concept main living area, where custom millwork, a fireplace with quartz surround and abundant natural light add warmth and character. Glass doors open directly to an elevated rear deck surrounded by mature trees, extending the living space outdoors. At the heart of the home, the completely redesigned kitchen features an expansive waterfall-edge island, extensive cabinetry, quartz countertops, full-height herringbone backsplash, stainless appliances and designer lighting. The primary suite is a standout, featuring two closets—including a walk-in—plus its own private laundry area. The primary bath is anchored by a massive 8-foot shower with dual shower fixtures, frameless glass and floor-to-ceiling tile, along with a dual vanity. A second main-level en-suite bedroom with its own dual-vanity bath offers uncommon flexibility for guests or multigenerational living. Downstairs, two additional bedrooms join an expansive second living area to create an entirely separate zone for everyday life, guests and entertaining. A quartz-topped wet bar and additional flex space, ideal for a home office, gym or playroom, add even more versatility. Major updates extend beyond the finishes, with new windows, a 2022 roof, 2026 furnace and 2026 water heater. With a versatile floor plan, extensive renovation and a carefully considered mix of original character and modern finishes, 2519 Chapel Hill Road offers the charm of an established Durham home reinvented for the way people live today.

2519 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham
$349,990
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 10192446 MLS ⋅ ACTIVE Status ⋅ Hero BLDG.
Build To Suit Opportunity!! Introducing the Hero in Ponder! If home had a heartbeat, this one would beat to the rhythm of ease, comfort, and connection. The magic starts with the first floor primary suite. A quiet, cozy retreat that gives you permission to slow down, stretch out, and enjoy the luxury of main level living. No stairs, no fuss, just your own space exactly where you want it. Move into the open living areas where the kitchen, dining, and family room mingle effortlessly. This is the place for pancakes of an early morning, crafting at the counter, movie nights, and moments that turn into memories. Designed with intention, every finish and detail supports real life = durable where it needs to be, beautiful everywhere. Upstairs, a huge loft and two additional bedrooms wait for little dreamers, visiting friends, or that office you've been hoping for. It's flexible, functional, and ready for whatever your life looks like next. Built with heart, designed with purpose This home isn't just a place to live. It's a place to love your life. A home that grows with you, roots with you, and makes coming back feel like the best part of your day. Best of all, this is a build-to-suit opportunity, meaning you get to choose the finishes and make the home yours from the very beginning. Come build the home you actually want. We promise we won't judge your Pinterest board.

412 Everlong Ln, Wendell
$360,000
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 10192445 MLS ⋅ ACTIVE Status
Brand-New Julianne with Low-Maintenance Living at Grove 98! Discover a brand-new way to enjoy Wake Forest living in The Julianne by Stanley Martin Homes! This beautifully designed 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home offers an open-concept layout, stylish finishes, a dedicated main-level study, and a covered balcony—all with the convenience of low-maintenance living. Step inside and you'll immediately appreciate the spacious, connected feel of the main level. The kitchen takes center stage with crisp white cabinetry, gray countertops, a large center island, and a walk-in pantry, opening seamlessly to the dining area and spacious family room. It's a layout designed for everyday living while offering plenty of room to gather and entertain. Just off the main living area, the covered balcony provides an inviting outdoor extension of the home. A dedicated main-level study adds valuable flexibility for a home office, hobby space, or additional room to fit your needs. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a private retreat with its own bath and an expansive walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a full hall bath, and a convenient upstairs laundry room complete the second level. And the low-maintenance lifestyle is a standout! The Grove 98 HOA includes exterior home maintenance, exterior insurance, community landscaping, water, sewer, and trash, helping simplify the upkeep that comes with homeownership. The location makes everyday convenience even better. Grove 98 is surrounded by more than 250,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment, including Wegmans, CAVA, Torchy's Tacos, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and more. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is also opening near Grove 98 and will be within walking distance of the community. Historic downtown Wake Forest is less than three miles away, offering even more shopping, dining, and entertainment to explore. This home is currently under construction with an estimated February 2027 delivery. Photos shown are of a similar home and are for illustrative purposes; actual home features, finishes, and selections may vary. Ready to see what makes Grove 98 so exciting? Contact 919-680-1042 for additional information or to schedule your private tour!

434 Gaston Park Ln Unit 200, Wake Forest
$365,000
3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 10192442 MLS ⋅ ACTIVE Status
Brand-New Julianne with Low-Maintenance Living at Grove 98! Welcome to The Julianne by Stanley Martin Homes, a brand-new 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome-style condominium in the Grove 98 community. This home features modern finishes, an open-concept layout, a dedicated study, and a covered balcony, along with HOA services designed to simplify exterior home maintenance. The main level features an open-concept layout connecting the kitchen, dining area, and family room. The kitchen showcases navy cabinetry, crisp white countertops, an oversized center island, and a walk-in pantry. The kitchen opens to the dining area and spacious family room, creating a connected main living space. A dedicated main-level study provides additional interior space, while the covered balcony offers outdoor space directly off the main living area. Upstairs, the primary suite includes a private bath and expansive walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms, a full hall bath, and an upstairs laundry room complete the second level. Grove 98 offers low-maintenance condominium living, with the HOA including exterior home maintenance, exterior insurance, community landscaping, water, sewer, and trash. These services provide convenient maintenance coverage for the home's exterior and community grounds. The location provides access to more than 250,000 square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment, including Wegmans, CAVA, Torchy's Tacos, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and more. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is also opening near Grove 98 and will be within walking distance of the community. Historic downtown Wake Forest is less than three miles away and offers additional shopping, dining, and entertainment options. This home is currently under construction with an estimated February 2027 delivery. Photos shown are of a similar home and are for illustrative purposes; actual home features and finishes may vary. Contact 919-680-1042 for additional information or to schedule your private tour!

436 Gaston Park Ln Unit 200, Wake Forest
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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 .