Exploring the Highlands Plateau-Scaly Mt. to Sky Valley

Exploring the Highlands Plateau

Scaly Mt. to Sky Valley

Great Neighborhoods

Great Mountain Views

             And a lot of House for the Money

Article 2

My Favorite Neighborhoods

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