Exploring the Highlands Plateau

Scaly Mt. to Sky Valley

Great Neighborhoods

Great Mountain Views

       And a lot of House for the Money

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