From a point of geography let me take a few minutes to explain the lay of the land for those not real familiar with this area of the Highlands Plateau. If you are day tripping from Highlands just take NC 106 (better known as Dillard Road and later becomes GA 246 at GA border) Proceed to Scaly Mt. Post Office and turn left on Hale Ridge Road. About two miles on your left hand side you will see the entrance to Rocky Knob, a NC neighborhood.
Rocky Knob is a gated community around Lake Osage, a pristine 16 acre mountain lake with mountain views with offering homes ranging in price between $300,000- million. Currently there are two lakefront homes in this community that can be purchased between $499-$600,000. One of those homes is a large authentic log cabin, the other shares both a long range mountain and hill-top lake view.
Returning to Hale Ridge Road take a left and Hale Ridge will narrow and go into the National Forest but the main road continues as Bald Mountain Road. Bald Mountain Road parallels NC 106 and is the scenic road for big views and great neighborhoods. This beautiful drive highlights Christmas tree farms, some barns and pastureland and features big views of Rabun Bald, GA's second highest mountain. Not to far on the right hand side is Honey Bear Mountain where you will find two terrific homes in the $319-$350,000 range.
Continuing on Bald Mountain Road notice Blue Valley Lodge, a great arts and craft barn-like house at the top of a steep driveway and private gated entrance. This light and bright recently built three level house features several fireplaces, four bedrooms, a sauna and lots of outside living space to take in the fabulous views that surround. This home can be yours for under $500,000.
The next hill to the right is the gated community of Heatherstone Tops, a small mountain top community with long views in which homes range between $399,000 to 4 Million. Currently there is a brand new home for $399,000 and a home on a small lake for under $600,000.
Back on Bald Mountain Road you will see Spring Lake to the left and to the right on a hill is another of my favorite custom build homes featuring two acres, two master suites, and great outdoor living, all for $399,000. Heatherstone at Ford Mountain Lakes is the next left and in this wonderful lake community you will find two homes on Dalton Drive under $300,000 and several great lots with mountain and lake view to build your dream house. Homes in this community range between $280-$900,000.
Back on Bald Mt. Road turn into Four Ponds Road and you will pass two more great custom home buys in the area, both around $399,000. If you go to the end of Four Ponds you will find one great deal on over two acres with a well stocked fishing lake in the front yard. This home is large and roomy with four bedrooms great room and family room and lots of outside living. Also it includes an additional lot ready to build on.
Back on Bald Mt. Road take a right and continue to Sky Valley. Sky Valley is a town and the gate you go through is public and manned by the police department. Sky Valley
Sky Valley
The re-opening of the Sky Valley golf course is another great perk for the area. Sky Valley founded back in the 70's is one beautiful piece of property sitting in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountain vistas. The area has about 300 homes but also has miles and miles of undisturbed forest, lakes, waterfalls and mountain top over looking an 18 hole golf course that has always been known for its length and natural beauty. Several years ago Merrill Trust, an Atlanta based company purchased the golf course and amenities and now, September 2007, the golf course will re-open after its two year renovation. The par 71 course, re-designed by Atlanta based golf course architect Bill Bergin, is outstanding!
According to the Sky Valley news "Bergin's 15 month renovation preserved the integrity and flow of the original golf course routing, yet he re-designed each hole in a fresh light and dramatically improved the strategy of the golf course. The course has been lengthened by nearly 500 yards and par has been reduced to 71. The new golf course can be stretched to over 7000 yards from the back tees. A fifth set of tees was added to the course to provide more tee selection options for all players."
The Sky Valley News continues to say that "the transformed golf course includes all new greens. tees, bunkering, cart paths and bridges. All the fairways were re-grassed in L-93 bent grass and the greens were seeded with A-1 bent grass, one of golf's truest and most durable putting surfaces. The rough has been converted to a mix of fescue and bluegrass, and tall fescue blends that will add definition to over 30 acres of natural open spaces."
Great care was given to restoring mountain streams and creating new water features that improve both the strategy and aesthetics of the new course. A comprehensive landscaping plan was also initiated, including the planting of 300 hard woods plus scores of new rhododendrons."
A new clubhouse has just received all of its permits and has begun construction. The Clubhouse will feature a grille and pub, fitness area, pro shop. At the present time two memberships are available.
Social Membership $2000 Initiation Fee $50 per month
Full Golf $7500 $250 per month
Social membership allows golf at a reduced rate plus tennis, fitness, clubhouse privileges.
The composition of homes in Sky Valley include many original homes (many with great views) built between 1976-1986 currently being sold in the $230,000-$350,000 range. But, many more have been built in 1990's to now and resale for most is under $600,000. Recently built homes are averaging around $800,000 with million dollar views. Homes that Highlands prices would put in the $1.5 range.
Three of the best homes for the money are located in the gated mountain top community of Thomas Knob in NC just above Sky Valley. All three homes are custom designed, more than 2500 sq ft and are under $600,000.
There are yet other great communities in this area. Highlands Gap off of NC 106 is a great community and specializes in large acre tracts of land to build your own estate. Although it is rare to find anything for sale in Kings Mountain, formerly home of Lonnie Anderson and Burt Reynolds, is another wonderful gated mountaintop community. Amenities include a clubhouse, pool and tennis courts at the top of the mountain.
If you are ready to purchase a home on the Highlands Plateau, take this tour and you will save a minimum of $200,000. Better yet, call me, Nancy Plate' at Signature Properties Mountain Brook location. I am licensed in both North Carolina and Georgia and have personally reviewed most every home for sale in the Scaly Mt. to Sky Valley area.
If you have any questions please give me a call at 828 526-4218 or our toll free number at 866 526-4218 or email me at nplate@alltel.net Please visit my personal website at http:highlandsncliving.com or Signature Properties website at www.sigpropnc.com
If you are not hung up with having a Highlands, NC proper address or feel the need to belong to one of the Highlands country clubs then let me give you a good tip, one that I wish someone had given me when I first moved to Highlands almost ten years ago. The advice is take a long hard look at the Scaly Mt. Sky Valley area, particularly if you are interested in quality, custom homes under $600,000.
I, like so many, realized that when I moved to Highlands that there were no great views under $500,000. My dream house overlooking a small mountain lake and surrounded by great views was just not in the cards. The best one could afford was perhaps a stream running through your rhododendron forest. We had moved to Highlands because of the magnificence of the mountains and although we loved the quaint village feel of Highlands we were disappointed that we could not afford more in the "views" department. It got so that I could not wait for my weekly shopping trips to Clayton so that I could stop at the overlooks to appreciate the beauty that had driven us here to begin with. On one such trip I asked my husband to turn at left on Hale Ridge Road at the Scaly Mt. Post Office and follow Hale Ridge Road until it becomes Bald Mountain Road passing neighborhoods such as Rocky Knob, Honey Bear Mt. Heatherstone Tops, Heatherstone at Ford Mt. Lakes and finally Sky Valley after-which it reconnects with Dillard Road (GA 246 and NC 107) It was winter and everything was somewhat deserted but I saw an inviting subdivision and we drove into it. As we descended the hill into the neighborhood there in front of me was a beautiful pristine couple acre lake just like the one that I had envisioned in my mountain living dream. I then noticed a pretty home on top of the hill offering a commanding view of the small but picturesque body of water from it massive decking. I said to my husband, "there's my house and there's my lake" and as we went up the hill that circled the area not only did I find the Mountain View but the house was "for sale". I could not wait to get back to Highlands to call the realtor and because it was meant to be-it was love at first site between us and the house. As luck has it I was able to sell my home in a couple weeks making a tidy profit and was able to purchase my dream home less expensively then anything available in Highlands.
Not only did I have my lake and mountain-view, but each day the 8 mile drive to Highlands allowed me to appreciate all of the beautiful vistas in between. Leaving Highlands after work on the weekend reminds me of leaving the city and driving home to my country estate.
Today I spent a couple hours going to a local Realtors Open House featuring six homes, five of which were under $599,000. They ranged from $399,000 for a two level 2500 square foot custom home on 2.5 acres to $549,000 for a home on Thomas Knob (gated community) with a view that does not stop and a large house that would be great for the best of entertaining. I then had to stop and remember just last week showing a client in Highlands homes in the same price range that were 20 years old, outdated, and, of course, with no land or view.
Sky Valley
The re-opening of the Sky Valley golf course is another great perk for the area. Sky Valley founded back in the 70's is one beautiful piece of property sitting in a naturally lush valley surrounded by mountain vistas. The area has about 300 homes but also has miles and miles of undisturbed forest, lakes, waterfalls and mountain top over looking an 18 hole golf course that has always been known for its length and natural beauty. Several years ago Merrill Trust, an Atlanta based development company, purchased the golf course and amenities and now, September 2007, the golf course will re-open after its 15 month renovation. The par 71 course, re-designed by Atlanta based golf course architect Bill Bergin, is outstanding!
According to the Sky Valley news "Bergin's 15 month renovation preserved the integrity and flow of the original golf course routing, yet he re-designed each hole in a fresh light and dramatically improved the strategy of the golf course. The course has been lengthened by nearly 500 yards and par has been reduced to 71. The new golf course can be stretched to over 7000 yards from the back tees. A fifth set of tees was added to the course to provide more tee selection options for all players."
The Sky Valley News continues to say that "the transformed golf course includes all new greens. tees, bunkering, cart paths and bridges. All the fairways were re-grassed in L-93 bent grass and the greens were seeded with A-1 bent grass, one of golf's truest and most durable putting surfaces. The rough has been converted to a mix of fescue and bluegrass, and tall fescue blends that will add definition to over 30 acres of natural open spaces.
Great care was given to restoring mountain streams and creating new water features that improve both the strategy and aesthetics of the new course. A comprehensive landscaping plan was also initiated, including the planting of 300 hard woods plus scores of new rhododendrons."
The new clubhouse has just received all of its permits and has begun construction. The Clubhouse will feature a grille and pub, fitness area, pro shop. At the present time two membership types are available.
Social Membership $2000 Initiation Fee $50 per month
Full Golf $7500 $250 per month
Social membership allows golf at a reduced rate plus tennis, fitness, clubhouse privileges.
The composition of homes in Sky Valley include many original homes (many with great views) built between 1976-1986 currently being sold in the $230,000-$350,000 range. But, many more have been built in 1990's to now and resale for most is under $600,000. Recently built homes are averaging around $800,000 with million dollar views. Homes that Highlands prices would put in the $1.5 range.
Although Sky Valley and Heatherstone belong to the Great State of GA, the GA/NC border meanders through this area and sometimes it is difficult to know which state you are actually in . If you have children it is good either way. Children living in the NC section go to Highlands School and those in the GA section go to Rabun County schools. Both areas provide bus service and both schools are academically very good. Also, close by is the Rabun Natahoochee School, a wonderful private co-ed boarding school in Rabun Gap (near Dillard). Many students from Highlands as well as Rabun County attend as day students.
To learn more about my favorite Scaly Mt to Sky Valley neighborhoods see my corresponding blog or go to my website at http://highlandsncliving.com or to sigpropnc.com. My blogs include information on area lodging, restaurants, and things to do and see.
In that I am a Broker licensed in the states of NC and Georgia and have a comprehensive knowledge of available real estate in both areas, I would love to make your acquaintance and perhaps assist you in purchasing the home of your dreams. You will find me at Signature Properties Highlands office at Mountain Brook center. Please call me at 828 526-4218 or our toll free number at 866 526-4218. Afterhours I can be reached at 706 746 5973. Don't hesitate to contact me by email at nplate@alltel.net
Deciding where to stay during our frequent getaways to Highands, NC was once a big decision. Highlands, then as now, had so many interesting Inns and cozy bed and breakfasts it was hard to choose . That was years ago. Since then we figured it was cheaper (and definitely more fun) to live here then to spend just weekends and vacations. Since then most of the Inns have changed ownership and new ones have emerged. All and all we are fortunate to be able to offer our visitors so many great choices,
In the category of historic Main Street inns, Highlands Inn is a good choice. It is the oldest inn in Highlands, dating back to 1885 and still maintains the charm and character of an historic inn. Main Street Inn, (formerly the Phelps House) is also a good choice. Recently purchased by Gary and Debbie Garner, the Main Street Inn continues its popularity with it country breakfasts, inexpensive Southern dinners, and evening wine bar. Old Edwards Inn is quite nice but has lost its history as it was gutted and rebuilt during an expensive renovation that was completed in 2004. The old Inn itself features small rooms at high prices and offers the latest in electronic gadgetry that will drive most people crazy. The Spa addition has added several beautiful spacious rooms with fireplaces that would suit just about any taste. The renovated Lodge at Old Edwards Inn, formerly the Lee's Inn, then Kelsey & Hutchinson Lodge is a good choice within the room choices of Old Edwards Inn.
The number of Bed and Breakfasts have decreased over the years. Colonial Pines owned by Donna & Chris Alley, 4 1/2 Street Inn owned by Helene and Rick Siegle and Lodge at Mirror Lake owned by Gloria Pariseau, former proprietress of Toad Hall, are all long time favorites and stay very busy, so make your reservations well in advance of your anticipated visit. Chandler Inn, although not a B&B, is a very cozy Inn with fifteen rooms, most with fireplaces. It is within walking distance of Main Street. Probably the most family oriented of Highlands accommodations is the very popular Mitchell's Lodge, open year round, offers individual one and two bedroom cabins, and spacious fireplace suites in its newest addition Cedar Lodge offering rooms with two queen beds.
Hampton Inn continues to be the one and only brand hotel and Mountain High and Highlands Suites are still popular as a Main Street alternative. All of these are also family friendly although Hampton Inn continues to cater to the business traveler.
However, if you are looking for just pure practical luxury you will love the Inn at Half Mile Farm, located about two miles from Main Street. This would be where I would go to just close the door for the weekend and enjoy comfortable luxury in a private, quiet, ambiance. Each room has a king bed, fireplace, comfortable chairs next to good reading lights, very private balconies and bathrooms with garden tubs. The manicured grounds feature a 10 plus acre fishing lake and a small pool for those once in awhile days it is warm enough to enjoy a pool. The Inn also has evening wine and cheese parties in order for guests to meet and greet and I hear nothing but good things about a plentiful home cooked breakfast.
Cashiers also has a choice of lodging accommodations. A new Hampton Inn opened in Sapphire Valley in 2005. The recently renovated hisoric High Hampton Inn resort is now year round and does offer pet accommodations. Laurelwood is still a popular in-town Cashiers lodge and Innisfree on Lake Glenville has attained four stars as a bed and breakfast.
Room prices in Highlands area range from $139-$500 plus per room during the season which is Memorial Day to the end of October. Prices significantly decrease during the winter and spring season. For a full list of area inns visit my website at http://highlandsliving.com and go to the Inns icon for names and telephone numbers. If you are looking at purchasing land or a home in Highlands, Cashiers, Scaly Mountain or Sky Valley please check out our website at www.sigpropnc.com and give me a call. I am licensed in both North Carolina and Georgia. I will also be happy to arrange lodging, dinner reservations, theatre tickets and tee times or anything else that will assist you in having a most memorable visit.
Highlands, NC, a unique mountain-top resort town located at an elevation of 4100 ft in the western NC Blue Ridge Mountains is a culinary paradise like no other. Our little town of 3000 year round and approximately 20,000 seasonal residents boasts five Spectator Award of Excellence restaurants. They have names like Lakeside, Madisons, On the Verandah, Paolettis and Wolfgangs on Main. All but Madisons are chef owned and all but On the Verandah are on Main Street. There are many other fine restaurants in Highlands but let me tell you about these first.
Wolfgangs on Main, Restaurant, Bistro and Wine Bar is my favorite place to enjoy a late afternoon glass of wine and early evening bistro menu dinner on the outside patio overlooking Main Street. The restaurant with a different menu is also special and there is nothing nicer on a cool evening then to enjoy dinner in front of one of the several dining room fireplaces. Wolfgangs is well known for its monthly wine dinners hosting winemakers and vineyard owners from all over. The four course meal is always extraordinary and the dinner itself is usually complimented by an ambiance of classical music and regional art. Although Wolfgang himself is a native of Germany, he came to Highlands through New Orleans where he was associated with the Brennan family and Commanders Palace for many years. Although the fare is mostly regional cuisine there are a few "to die for" dishes from the old country.
Also on Main Street is Madisons @ Old Edwards Inn, offering pricey food in lovely surroundings and Paolettis, a family owned favorite in Highlands for over two decades. Paolettis offers an array of regional continental and rich and flavorful Northern Italian dishes. In addition to great food, Paolettis offers superior service and a fabulous wine list.
Just around the corner from Main Street is Lakeside Restaurant overlooking Harris Lake. Lakeside is small and intimate and a must visit during your Highlands stay. During the season we recommend that you make your reservations a week or two in advance to get the date and time you wish to dine. Known for its fine food and wine and excellent service, dining at Lakeside is an adventure. Everything on the menu is consistently outstanding but take a chance and try one of Marty's nightly specials-always unique and outstanding. And by the way the guy with the blue jeans, white shirt and apron who will wander around the dining room talking with each table is Marty Rosenfield the chef owner of the restaurant.
Just a mile from Main Street on beautiful Lake Sequoia is On the Verandah, another chef owned restaurant that has been around since the early eighties. Second generation Figel's, Andrew Figel, and Marlene Alvarez are now managing the restaurant. The restaurant is known for its wine bar with piano easy listening in season. Do not miss the wonderful Sunday champagne brunches beginning at 11:30 a.m. each Sunday. The portions are great and the fare is a very reasonable $25.00 per person.
Other restaurants that you may enjoy include Log Cabin, known for steaks, Fireside, Wild Thyme, Fressers, Nicks and Oak Street Cafe. For a just right lunch and light dinner try SweeTreats at Mountainbrook Shopping center. If you are not in the mood for lunch or dinner enjoy their ice cream, yogurt and smoothie selections. Other popular lunch restaurants include Nicks, Kelsey Place at Highlands Inn, Fireside, Don Leons, Fressers and Wild Thyme.
Cashiers also has several great restaurants. They include The Orchard, Horatios, The Library, and Market Basket. Cornocopia is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors at lunch.
Remember, Highlands enjoys the repuation of being "dressy casual". You can leave behind your coat and tie, high heels and make-up. Think college football games when you put together your Highlands wardrobe.
If you are coming to Highlands to look at real estate, just call me at Signature Properties and, in addition to your real estate needs, I will personally take care of your dinner reservations, overnight accommodations, theatre tickets and tee times. That is a service that I personally provide our clients. You can find out more about Highlands lifestyles on my website http://highlandsncliving.com or www.sigpropnc.com
For those of you who have never visited the majestic mountains of the Blue Ridge, specifically the mountain resort town of Highlands, NC -You have been deprived! Just a little over two hours from mid town Atlanta this unique town is somewhat like going back to another era where drivers are polite and residents and visitors all seem to wear smiles on their face. (For the past two weeks, we have been smiling even more as the August 2007 heat brought record triple digit temperatures to the lowlands while we at 4100' elevation have not yet broken 89 degrees. For an area in which our average summer temperature is 76 degrees it did seem to us a bit warm.) Our picture perfect town's Main Street, a fun shopping area of high end retail shops, boutiques, antique shops and art galleries surrounded by 130 year old inns and churches and more than a dozen chef owned fine dining restaurants, five with the prestigious Wine Spectator Award of Excellence spotlighting on Highlands wonderful reputation as a culinary paradise.
Highlands cool temperatures and progressive hospitality lured the plantation owners of coastal SC and GA as far back as the 1880's. The season then began Memorial Day and ended Labor Day weekend. The invention of the automobile and the building of roads further facilitated Highlands population and popularity as a second home community. Beginning in the late 1990's more and more second home owners gave up their primary homes to become year round residents of the Highlands Plateau. Out of the 20,000 plus seasonal population, the area boasts a year round population of slightly over 3000.
Highlands has always been perceived to some degree as being expensive. Although Highlands attracts many captains of industry, political figures and writers/artists, it is a special place for all who enjoy the beauty of wildflowers and spring floral cover of our forests floor; who appreciate Summer's cool, invigorating temperatures to enjoy hiking, golf, and boating and those who appreciate the awesome beauty of the fall hues of orange, yellow, and red flame painting the forests, hills and valleys. Mother Natures artistic talent at her finest! The winter season allows us incredible views, a great time to buy real estate ande perhaps enjoy a occasional snow. Did I forget about the birds? We are also a summer home to a variety of rare and beautiful species.
2007 appears to have all of the ingredients for a banner real estate year for the Highlands Plateau! It is definitely a Buyers Market with an extremely diversified inventory of homes that should suit just about everybody's taste and financial picture. Home prices are realistic and enticing, a change that you will definitely notice if you have been contemplating purchase for a few years. In addition to the million $ plus homes there is also a large selection of desirable homes as well as fixer-uppers in the $250,000-$400,000 market, and, for those who are looking for reasonably priced cozy weekend get-aways, both mountain view or riverside, they are also available.
If in-town condo living is appealing you will find about 60 new units planned to be completed in the next year. There are also several new in-town neighborhoods that are reaching sales phases.
For those new who are new to Highlands and just beginning their real estate pursuit, Signature Properties Priority Club, the only such service in Highlands, will greatly assist in making your second home search more productive and organized. Just call me at 866 526-4218 and I will be happy to learn about your home requirements and will immediately begin sending you daily homes to review. In addition, I will assist you with hotel and restaurant reservations, tee times, theatre tickets or anything that will assist you in making your Highlands visit very enjoyable. For more information on Highlands please go to Signature Properties website at www.sigpropnc.com or visit my personal website at http://highlandsncliving.com where you can learn more about Highlands and complete a home needs survey request for information.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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