Lisa Ellis - Real Estate by Design

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Lisa Ellis - Real Estate by Design Your Personal Key to the Triangle. that gives Lisa’s clients the advantage of something money can’t buy- her wisdom.

Serving Durham and the Triangle since 1996 with expert guidance for buyers and sellers. 30 years of local market knowledge, trusted advice, and professional representation through every step of your move. From Lisa’s first sacarry �restaurants, have given her a worldview adept at welcoming residents from all over the planet and making them feel at home here in North Carolina. Like her favorite Einstein quote, “not to be a success, but Ellis’s priorities are all substance, and a genuine passion for people as the keys to her success in keeping clients happy and coming back. See whEllis and her team at Real Estate by Design can do for you and thank your

Open House this weekend in Durham.Five bedrooms, a main-level bedroom with its own full bath, and the big updates alread...
10/21/2026

Open House this weekend in Durham.
Five bedrooms, a main-level bedroom with its own full bath, and the big updates already done, in one of South Durham’s established neighborhoods.

Fairfield makes everyday life easy. Southpoint, RDU, and I-40 are all close by, and the neighborhood pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and playground are right in your own community.

Inside, hardwood floors run throughout the main level. The updated kitchen pairs granite countertops with white cabinetry and a center island, and the vaulted living room is anchored by a raised-hearth fireplace, a cozy spot now that the evenings are cooling off.

There’s room for everyone here. The first-floor bedroom and full bath work well for guests, a home office, or family who’d rather skip the stairs. The spacious primary suite has a beautifully updated bath with a walk-in shower, clawfoot tub, and a skylight that pulls in natural light.

Out back, a screened porch and grilling deck overlook a level backyard, just right for fall dinners outside. And the projects most buyers worry about are handled: fresh paint inside and out, and both HVAC systems replaced since 2023.

Saturday & Sunday, October 24–25 | 1–3 PM
301 Spring Garden Drive, Durham, NC 27713
Hosted by Dylan Childrey of Nest Realty on behalf of Lisa Ellis.

If you’ve been looking for room to spread out in a home that’s already been well cared for, this one is worth a visit. Explore the property at 301springgardendrive.com.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

“October, crisp, misty, golden October, when the light is sweet and heavy.” – Angela CarterOctober may be the loveliest ...
10/20/2026

“October, crisp, misty, golden October, when the light is sweet and heavy.” – Angela Carter

October may be the loveliest month of the year in the Triangle, and it’s one of the best for a home to make a first impression. Yards and neighborhoods look their best, it’s the right weather for an open house, and buyers out looking this time of year tend to be serious about it.

If you’ve been thinking about selling, or you’d like to see what’s out there before the holidays, I’d love to help. Call, text or write.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Just Sold3593 Sugar Tree Place, Durham, NC 27713Congratulations to my buyers on closing on their beautiful new home on S...
10/20/2026

Just Sold
3593 Sugar Tree Place, Durham, NC 27713

Congratulations to my buyers on closing on their beautiful new home on Sugar Tree Place!

This well-maintained end-unit townhome offers a main-level owner’s suite and serene views of Lake Elton from a private backyard retreat. Inside, an airy two-story family room with a fireplace and an open layout works for both everyday living and entertaining. A spa-inspired soaking tub and a spacious patio overlooking the lake make it easy to unwind. With a new roof in 2025 and a 2023 water heater, it’s ready to enjoy. The quiet, well-kept community offers a neighborhood lap pool and a no-rentals policy that helps protect long-term value. It’s all just minutes from downtown Durham, RTP, RDU, Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.

If you’re looking to buy or sell in Durham or anywhere across the Triangle, I’d love to help. Call, text, or write.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Just a heads up: Wake County's September numbers are about as steady as a market report gets.Homes sold in 30 days on av...
10/19/2026

Just a heads up: Wake County's September numbers are about as steady as a market report gets.

Homes sold in 30 days on average, the same as August and the same as last September. Sellers got 98.5% of list price, identical to a year ago. Median price came in at $460,000, just 1.1% below last September.

The one number that keeps climbing is inventory, now 5,135 active listings and up 10.4% from a year ago. Buyers have more choices, and sellers have a bit more competition.

If you're thinking about selling, this is a market that rewards getting the price and preparation right from day one. Call me before you start the process.

Full breakdown at LisaEllis.com/WakeUpdate.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Just Listed204 Esteban Court, Mebane, NC 27302Sharon Carter has a charming new listing at 204 Esteban Court, a Cape Cod ...
10/19/2026

Just Listed
204 Esteban Court, Mebane, NC 27302

Sharon Carter has a charming new listing at 204 Esteban Court, a Cape Cod on a .41-acre cul-de-sac lot with no HOA, just a mile from downtown Mebane!

A rocking chair front porch welcomes you into this updated, well-maintained home with 3-zone HVAC and an open floor plan with recently restored hardwood floors. The living room offers a gas-log fireplace, with French doors to a spacious sunroom and sliding glass doors from the dining area to the back deck. The main-floor primary suite features a remodeled closet and a bath with a double vanity and custom walk-in shower. Upstairs are two more bedrooms and a full bath with a new tile floor. Out back, the expansive deck with lighting, an awning and a gazebo overlooks a fenced backyard with private, wooded views and gardening beds. Recent updates include a new v***r barrier and crawl space insulation. The home is convenient to downtown Mebane’s shops, restaurants and community events, plus I-40/85, RDU and the rest of the Triangle and Triad.

If you’re looking for small-town charm close to everything, reach out to Sharon Carter, she’d love to show you around. Call, text, or write.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

That slow drip under the sink or the gutter you've been meaning to clear can feel like a someday project. The trouble is...
10/17/2026

That slow drip under the sink or the gutter you've been meaning to clear can feel like a someday project. The trouble is that small maintenance issues rarely stay small, and waiting can cost more than the repair itself.

In this week's RealGuide, I walk through how deferred maintenance adds up, why a repair doesn't translate dollar for dollar into a lower sale price, which issues matter most, and how to decide what to fix first if you're getting ready to sell.

And for a simple weekly habit, look for my home maintenance reminders here every Thursday.

Read the full guide at LisaEllis.com/RealGuide.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Broadway’s big Tony winner is in Durham this weekend! 🎭 Maybe Happy Ending, winner of six Tony Awards including Best Mus...
10/16/2026

Broadway’s big Tony winner is in Durham this weekend! 🎭 Maybe Happy Ending, winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, has arrived at DPAC on its first national tour.

Set in near-future Seoul, the musical by Will Aronson and Hue Park follows two retired helper robots living in the same apartment building who form an unexpected bond. It’s funny, tender and surprisingly moving, a story about love, memory and what it means to be human, directed by Tony winner Michael Arden.

Performances are Friday at 7:30PM, Saturday at 2PM and 7:30PM, and Sunday at 1PM and 6:30PM. The show runs 1 hour and 45 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for ages eight and up. Tickets start at $55, and students can grab $30 rush tickets in person at the DPAC box office on the day of each show.

Full weekend guide: LisaEllis.com/WeekendGuide

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Just Listed301 Spring Garden Drive, Durham, NC 27713I’m so excited to introduce this brick-front, five-bedroom home in F...
10/16/2026

Just Listed
301 Spring Garden Drive, Durham, NC 27713

I’m so excited to introduce this brick-front, five-bedroom home in Fairfield, freshly painted inside and out!

Conveniently located in South Durham near The Streets at Southpoint, RDU International Airport and I-40, this home offers space, updates and flexibility. Hardwood floors run throughout the main level. A first-floor bedroom and full bath work well for guests or a home office. The updated kitchen features 42-inch white cabinets, granite countertops, a center island and a five-burner gas range, open to a vaulted living room with a raised-hearth fireplace. Off the breakfast area, a screened porch leads to a grilling deck overlooking the level backyard. Upstairs, the primary suite offers a walk-in closet with a custom organizer and an updated bath with a clawfoot tub, a tiled walk-in shower and a skylight. Three more bedrooms, a shared bath and an upstairs laundry room round it out. Both HVAC systems have been replaced since 2023. Fairfield also offers a neighborhood pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and playground, plus county taxes with city services.

If you’re looking for room to grow in South Durham, I’d love to show you around. Call, text, or write.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Weekly Home Maintenance:Deep Clean Around Your RefrigeratorYour refrigerator runs constantly, and most people never look...
10/15/2026

Weekly Home Maintenance:
Deep Clean Around Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator runs constantly, and most people never look at anything beyond what's on the shelves inside it. I always tell people, the parts of your fridge doing the hardest work, the coils, the vents, the space underneath, are the parts that almost never get touched.

Here's what I look for:

Coils – Vacuum the coils behind or underneath the unit. A thick layer of dust makes the compressor work harder and can shorten the life of the whole appliance.

Exterior surfaces – Wipe down the doors, handles, and sides, and don't skip the top. It collects a surprising amount of dust and kitchen grease that never gets wiped away.

Water dispenser & ice maker – Clean the dispenser tray and nozzle, and check the date on your water filter. A dirty dispenser area is an easy thing to overlook.

Behind & underneath – Pull the fridge out if you can, or have someone help, and sweep or vacuum the crumbs, dust, and pet hair that build up back there over time.

Door gaskets – Wipe down the rubber seal around each door and check for gaps or crumbs caught in the folds. A dirty or worn gasket can keep the door from sealing tightly.

A little attention to the outside of your fridge goes a long way, it runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and you avoid an early, unnecessary appliance replacement.

Just a heads up, if you're working through a bigger list of updates around the kitchen, or just want a second set of eyes before you tackle a project, call, text or write. Happy to help.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Just Sold323 Oxfordshire Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517Congratulations to my sellers on the sale of their beautiful home in...
10/15/2026

Just Sold
323 Oxfordshire Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Congratulations to my sellers on the sale of their beautiful home in Southpoint Manor, in just 5 days and for more than 3.5% over asking! Thoughtful updates, careful preparation and the right pricing strategy made all the difference for this special home.

Set on a .42-acre homesite overlooking protected U.S. Army Corps of Engineers land, this updated home offers privacy, space and beautiful wooded views. A rocking-chair front porch leads inside, where hardwood floors run throughout the main level. The family room centers on a gas-log fireplace and opens to a kitchen with new quartz countertops, a Wolf cooktop, a large island and a butler’s pantry. Walls of windows surround the sunroom, where new French doors open to a Trex deck overlooking the fenced, level backyard. Upstairs are four bedrooms, three full baths and a bonus room. They include a primary suite with a double-tray ceiling, two walk-in closets and a spacious bath. The neighborhood pool and playground round it out.

If you’re thinking about selling in Chapel Hill or anywhere across the Triangle, call me before you start the process. I’ll help keep your stress low and profits high. Call, text, or write.

🔑 Your Personal Key to the Triangle

Address

5003 Southpark Drive, Suite 110
Durham, NC
27713

Telephone

(919) 606-1754

Website

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