Maggie Valley Real Estate - The Lay of the Land

Since its early days as a town over 100 years ago, Maggie Valley has attracted people looking for a cool alternative to the summer heat of the surrounding southern states. One of the highest valleys east of the Mississippi, Maggie Valley and the surrounding mountains are often 10 to 15 degrees cooler than even neighboring Asheville. The floor of the Valley sits at 3200' while the surrounding peaks reach well over 5000'. This difference in height can even emphasize the temperature difference even more. Those looking to buy a home in the Maggie Valley Real Estate area should familiarize themselves with these differences before starting to search for their spot in the mountains.

Maggie Valley Real Estate and The Lay of The Land
Maggie Valley's floor offers easy access and comparably mild winters. Snows are common in winter but rarely add up to stop the flow of traffic. Often heavy snowfall at the higher elevations is light or even rain in the valley. Four-wheel drive is a necessity if you plan to live at the higher elevation. Tire chains are also a good idea to have on hand. On the flip side summers rarely require air conditioning above 4000'. About half the homes above 4000' may not even have AC installed. Summer temps top out in the low 80s but in the Valley may reach 90.

Maggie Valley also runs East to West. In the Summer the southern side is cooler, and colder in winter and last to loose its snow cover. some of the paved roads on the southern side of the valley can be the hardest to drive on after snows.

The valley floor has its advantages: easy access, city water and sewer, quick access to gas, food and entertainment. The summer months can be a little crowded on the primary roads. The hotels and rental homes are full and the seasonal population is enjoying the cool of the mountain summer. Up high you can escape the crowds and enjoy the spectacular views the Smokies have to offer. If the property you seek may be in the rental market, views are good to have, offering visitors what they have come to the mountains for: a great view of the surrounding mountains.

If your plans are to buy land and build Maggie Valley Real Estate consider all of the above. Further more you should research deed restrictions, road maintenance (if private roads), easements for utilities, and access. Be aware of your legal ability to keep views open. Owning the trees in your view or the ground they grow on may make all the difference as to wether a house on the side of the mountains with elevation has a view or not. Some homes have this problem but due to change of seasons have a view half the year when the leaves are not on the trees.

The outlying valleys also offer rolling hills if mountain living is not your style. The fertile hollers are perfect for a small horse farm or small homestead. Jonathan Creek, Iron Duff and Fines Creek are quieter areas that have lots of residential areas as well as rolling pasture and farm land.

Home Sweet Home

Searching for a home already built. There is a wide range of homes from which to choose from. Condos to cabins, brick to log, new to old most building styles are represented in the valley. Here the land also comes into play. Want neighbors or not? Often on a mountainside, a multiple acre lot may only have one suitable spot for building so knowing the boundaries of the land is critical especially if you value your privacy. A one acre lot may have more privacy then a 15 acre estate depending on where your lot lines are in relation to the building site.

The age of a home is critical, especially in the weather extremes. A home built 20 to 30 years ago may have been built very well but only been lightly insulated as a Summer home, while some old log structures from 75-100 years ago offer insulation factors better then todays building codes require.

Restrictions are also a consideration. Sub-divisions can have numerous restrictions, some of which you may agree with ours you might not. Restrictions are generally in place to protect the property values and lifestyle that the developer thought fitted to the development. Often property owners associations take place of the developer as the property sells out. These associations can vary as much as the restrictions themselves. Some areas of the county are unrestricted, and allow you to build as you see fit (within the building code of course).

When buying an existing home a home inspection by a licensed home inspector is always a good idea. Trained to see what we might overlook, an inspector can tell you what type of repairs may be necessary that may not be obvious to the average home buyer. The inspection report may just as well compliment the structure and assure you of a good choice.