Hello!

I’m Colleen Ellis, your Durham and Orange County Realtor!

Let’s Find

Your Next Home

“What drew me to this area was the top-notch universities, healthcare and proximity to RDU but what keeps me here is this natural feeling of home and endless opportunity”

A little about me and my love for this area

I love my job. Not only do I get to meet and spend time with some of the best people in NC, I get to show them around the best place to live in the country! 

Discovering what excites my clients and then introducing them to  those things in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Hillsborough is so  rewarding. It is no secret that we have it all here – whether you  are a person who thrives in nature, looking to support local farms  and nurseries, or an art buff who takes absolute joy from mingling  with local artisans. If you are a sports-lover or a bibliophile – there  are plenty of ways to fill your calendar. We have world class  theater, restaurants, museums, trails, celebrations, and athletic  venues to keep you busy and enlightened all year long. It is easy  to feel at home here.

Click Here For More About Me!

I fell in love with the Piedmont when I moved to Durham in  January of 2012. I was raised by two Marines on military bases all  over the country. After graduating with a Biology degree from the  University of North Carolina at Wilmington, I knew I was looking  for a place to call home – one place that could fill all of my  buckets – I have found that here! I love sharing this home with  buyers. As a seller representative, this love helps when selling a  property too!  

One of the best things about being a Realtor in the Triangle is that  I get to work alongside amazing professionals who do right by  their clients and customers every day. Working with other like 

minded professionals helps me to grow and work at my best, year  after year. It also makes it that much more rewarding when buyers  and sellers come to me to help with their real estate needs over  everyone else – what an honor! What sets me apart from my  esteemed colleagues? For one, my community service. It allows  me to have inside knowledge about what is going on in the places  where you are looking to live! Secondly, I have countless contacts  who can help you thrive. Being a homeowner is a huge 

responsibility and it takes a lot of people to help you be successful  with that investment over the years. Not only am I there, every  step of the way, during your transaction – I make myself available  long after your sale as well. I want to be your Realtor for life!  Additionally, I am very involved in my local real estate board. I  know what is going on with Realtors on the local, state, and  national level which is a very important element in being the best  professional I can be. I work with Realtors in a different way than I  do during a transaction which strengthens my ability to work with  them on behalf of my clients. Finally, I love continuing education.  To be the best for my clients, I need to know the most – or at least  continue to strive for that knowledge and know how to find  information I may not have on hand.  

The Triangle is my home – and I am so proud of it. And I love  working in real estate. Property ownership is the single biggest  investment most people make. It is the way generational wealth is  created and, therefore, is a critical and coveted part of building  community. It is my honor to continue to work on behalf of my  clients and home ownership. It is a privilege to help folks navigate  this industry and getting to do that work in such a remarkable  place is just the cherry on top.

Community Involvement

  • Chair DPS Committee at Durham Regional Association of Realtors
  • Crayons2Calculators board member
  • Proxy for Durham County Democrats
  • Board of Directors for Durham Regional Association of Realtors
  • Volunteer Jack’s Furrytail Rescues
  • Volunteer The Hub Farm
  • Planning committee for Durham Public Schools Teacher of the Year event
  • Coach Girls on the Run
  • Local Political Coordinator committee member

Accolades

 

  • Service Award for Durham Regional Association of Realtors
  • Spark Award from Durham Public Schools
  • Senior Real Estate Specialist
  • Licensed Agent with Keller Williams

In addition to helping you buy and sell, I can also just be your consultant – My goal is to be your resource for all things real estate

Find Your Dream Home

Whether you are a first-time home buyer or a seasoned homeowner looking to down-size or upgrade, I can help you with your search! My method acclimates you to our ever-changing market and prepares you to make the best decision for you and your family. I pride myself in getting you all of the information you need to take that next step!

Sell Your Property

Getting the most money for your investment is what I bring to the table. I will help you come up with a plan to show your property at its best to the most buyers. Open houses, broker luncheons, social media attention – getting views is what you need! I have lots of tools to help you make the transition too – controlling the chaos efficiently and enjoyably!

Stage a Space

It goes without saying that staging can sell a home. In order to get the maximum price for your property, it needs to look its best while appealing to the mass market. Attention to detail is critical – from curb appeal to clean HVAC filters – every little thing matters.

Get Your Questions Answered

Not sure where to start or whether or not you are even ready to make a change? You bought a house but now you want to do some renovating? Prices in your area have increased and you are thinking you might want to take out some of your equity? I am here for you! I love talking about real estate and can help inform and guide you long before or after your transaction.

Testimonials

“Colleen Ellis came to us through our daughter, a first time buyer that Colleen worked with in 2021. It is one thing to buy a new home in your own community, but it is quite another to buy a home in a new community a thousand miles away, when much of the work has to be done over the phone and online. That was our predicament. Colleen held our hand professionally and personally through the entire process. She knows the strengths and weaknesses of every neighborhood in the Triangle. Not a single day went by in the two month process that she wasn’t in contact with us (including Thanksgiving and Christmas), answering questions and explaining the process of buying a home in North Carolina. She helped us connect with a lender, a home inspection service, even an electrician, and a home insurance agent. She has a vibrant, engaging personality, but she was also a tough negotiator, who represented our interests and was willing to challenge us when our enthusiasm for the house threatened to overcome good financial judgement. She made a good deal.” 

– S Hurst

“We worked with Colleen for our first time home buyer experience in Durham and can’t imagine using any other realtor. She listened to what our goals were and offered her honest opinions on what to expect. She was always available during the search to answer questions, look at homes, and guide us through the process of making an offer.  Colleen was just as great after we were under contract. She went above and beyond to get us to closing, not because it’s her job but because she truly just cares for her clients. I would recommend Colleen to anyone looking in the Durham area. You’ll get someone that knows the area well, can expertly navigate the responsibilities of today’s real estate market, and be your most trusted advisor from start to finish.”

– B Jethro
“We worked with Ellis & Company and we had a wonderful experience. Our rep was Colleen, and she was the real deal! Experienced real estate professional, great taste in homes, super knowledgeable about the Research Triangle Area, and aggressive in helping newcomers find the perfect property. 
Colleen did a wonderful job helping me and my wife find a house in Durham. We were connected with Colleen through a common friend, and she did an amazing job in establishing a rapport with us – despite the fact that we were house-hunting in Durham from afar (Chicago). We kicked off our search with a brief in-person “get-to-know-the-area” visit, and Colleen organized an amazing 2-day itinerary. We drove through Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro; Colleen gave us valuable information on the history, demographics and pros/cons of each neighborhood, and we visited a few representative listings. Once we returned to Chicago, Colleen was diligent in sending us daily online listings of homes that fit our criteria; she Facetimed us on occasion from open houses that we wanted to see from afar; and she was always able to share her views on the strengths and weaknesses of each specific property. Colleen worked at our pace, which in this instance turned out to be a quick turn. Once we realized that the market was continuing to heat up (with homes going for prices above asking, sight unseen), we worked with her to put in an aggressive offer on a new construction property that we knew would get snatched up if we didn’t move fast. We won the offer and Colleen continued to work with us on finalizing paperwork with the lenders, the sellers, the inspectors, etc. She was by our side at the closing, and she even continues to send us tips and links that will help us get more settled into Durham once we move. Colleen has guided us on this entire journey, from start to finish, and we could not be more appreciative. I’d recommend Colleen in a heart-beat to anyone wanting to find a new home in the Triangle area.”
– R Jolly

From My Blog

Working with a Realtor who has a background in Science

Working with a Realtor who has a background in Science

I think Realtors who lead with science – asking questions, looking for answers, seeking to understand the homes they sell and the communities they serve – have the edge, and deserve it. I have this determination to be the best I can be for the sake of my clients, customers, and communities, especially when the goal is to be one’s Realtor for life. I am a real estate scientist and that gives me the edge.

read more
Under all is the land

Under all is the land

‘Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the  survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.’ This is the very first line from the  Preamble of the National Association of Realtors Code of...

read more

Durham

Chapel Hill

And Surrounding Areas!

Your Greater Durham Area Agent!

Email

Office

kw Elite Realty
245 NC Highway 54 East – Suite 101 Durham NC 27713

Phone Number