508 N Wake Street

Nestled into the top of the historic district like it's always been there, 508 N Wake Street is a 2015-built modern farmhouse that exudes the soul of old Hillsborough while offering modern conveniences your great-grandmother only dreamed of. Custom-built & set on a generous lot that's over 1/2 acre, this homesteader's haven offers sun-drenched garden beds perfect for growing tomatoes, a chicken coop ready for a new brood, plus plenty of covered porches & mature trees for shady afternoon reads. The front porch, with its classic porch swing, wraps all the way around the corner of the house to a large, vaulted screened porch with a fan & skylight. Stairs off the back deck lead to a lush garden, a covered patio & large gravel courtyard. Inside, wide-plank white oak floors, 9' ceilings & tall windows provide airy, light continuity. Goldilocks would have been in heaven here: just the right amount of room division creates a modern flow while preserving each room's own identity.
The front room sets the tone with charm & flexibility, it could be a music room, a quiet library, or the kind of parlor where you keep a chaise lounge specifically for dramatic reading and even more dramatic phone calls. An ambitious owner could choose to open the room up to the kitchen and dining area, creating even more flow: this is a house where options abound.
A double-sided fireplace between the living & dining areas offers two ways to enjoy its warmth: a live-edge mantle & floor-to-ceiling bookshelves surround the living-room side, while the kitchen/dining hearth offers a nod to simpler times, when fire in the kitchen was a useful and regularly-used tool.
Beyond hardwood floors, thoughtful tile selections offer a nod to the original owner's years in the industry: simple yet clever mosaic work, decorative cement floor tiles, marble, glass & oversized hex tile in the bathrooms: the clever and creative tilework is artful and universally appealing. (No white subway tiles to be found here.)
The kitchen is amply equipped with large drawers & plenty of cabinets, soapstone counters & a deep single-basin sink. Full-lite double doors open to the screened porch, blurring the line between indoor comfort and outdoor charm: bug-free al fresco dining at its finest.
The laundry room behind the kitchen serves as a back entry from the driveway, makeshift mudroom & prep-space for larger parties (complete with matching soapstone counters & wash sink). It's also the access point to the full-light lower level.
The top floor has 2 guest bedrooms, a hall bath & the home's primary suite. The ensuite primary bath features marble tile floors, a dual-sink vanity & linen closet.
But wait, there's more. The walk-out lower-level features three versatile rooms & a full bath. Whether you're crafting your next bestseller, mastering the cello, hosting visitors or throwing a giant super bowl party, you'll have the space to do it all. Office, recreation room, meditation space, spare bedroom, hobby headquarters or all of the above: you decide.
The lower level opens onto a covered patio, gravel courtyard, fenced garden, chicken coop & fenced backyard. And it's not just a backyard. It's potential incarnate. Add a garage, build an ADU or both- there's room for it all off the back of the driveway. Or simply stretch out and enjoy not hearing your neighbor sneeze.
And best of all? You're just one block off Churton Street, an easy stroll to Steve's Market & coffee, downtown Hillsborough, Weaver Street Market, Cup-A-Joe, Riverwalk, the weekly farmers market and more. Live like a modern-day homesteader while still grabbing a croissant and fair-trade latte without breaking a sweat.
This is in-town-country living at its most charming, flexible, and walkable. Come see how good it feels to have it all.