Spring is almost here and Highlands, NC has plenty to do

Highlands Up on the plateau the outdoors mix with the upscale.

A Western North Carolina Resort Town

Highlands is on the west side of a mountain plateau that drops abruptly down on both sides and is surrounded by national forest land. The area has evolved as a high-end resort community, home to upscale boutiques, spas, wine tastings, fine art galleries, professional theater troupes, a summer chamber music series, numerous country clubs and golf courses, and an endless selection of fine dining.

From Photo Gallery Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Glenville North Carolina

At 4,100 feet in elevation, Highlands is actually in a temperate rainforest and receives about 90 inches of rain a year. The town straddles the Eastern Continental Divide — water falling on one side flows to the Atlantic, on the other to the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico. The elevation also contributes to the town’s extremely seasonal residency, as once the leaves fall so does the population.

It is said that the town of Highlands was conceived in the late 1890s by two developers, Samuel Kelsey and Clinton Hutchinson. Kelsey and Hutchinson drew two lines on a map, one from New York to New Orleans, the other from Chicago to Savannah. The intersection, they thought, would be ideal for a resort. They thought right.

In the late 1920s, construction of Highlands Country Club put the town on the map. Golfing great Bobby Jones had a summer home at the club, and he still holds the course record.

Attractions
• The Bascom — An independent non-profit art center, this gallery offers a host of workshops, lectures and exhibits for adults and kids, which vary in length. Located at 554 Main Street in Highlands. 828.526.4949.

• Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center — The Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center brings the performing arts to the Highlands. 828.526.2742.

• Highlands Nature Center and Botanical Garden — On the campus of the Highlands Biological Station, a research and educational facility of the University of North Carolina founded in 1927. The WPA-built Nature Center features exhibits, daily programs and weekly summer camps for children, a Thursday evening lecture series exploring environmental topics, and special programs for all ages throughout the summer. The Botanical Garden offers 12 acres of native plants in a diversity of natural habitats, from upland woods to cove forest and wetland. Special features include a native azalea garden, Plants of the Cherokee, a butterfly garden, and the Station’s own self-guided Bartram Trail consisting of 30 native plants associated with 17th century naturalist William Bartram.

Garden tours are given weekly. The Nature Center is open 10 am - 5 pm Mon - Sat mid-May through October, and is available for school groups by appointment the remainder of the year. The Botanical Garden is open year round, dawn to dusk. Admission to the Nature Center and Botanical Garden is free, though some special programs and camps have a small fee. Call 828.526.2623 or see www.wcu.edu/hbs for detail.

• The Highlands Playhouse — Professional theater on the plateau. Season runs July-October. Call 828.526.2695 for shows, times and prices.

• Waterfalls — Driving 64 West will take you past Lower and Upper Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, some of the area’s most popular waterfalls.

• Whiteside Mountain — Perhaps the most famous site on the Plateau. The rocky face of the mountain is familiar to all who visit the region. The mountain is between Highland and Cashiers and is accessible by a two-mile loop trail that begins off Whiteside Mountain Road.

Dining & Nightlife

• Bistro at Wolfgang’s — Opening at 3 p.m. for small plates and wine in a cozy, relaxed setting. Outdoor seating available. 474 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.3807.

• Buck’s Coffee Café — Coffee drinks and more with live music on weekends. 384 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.0020.

• Cyprus Restaurant — Sophisticated international cuisine in a vibrant open kitchen environment. Generous hours, full wine bar. Live entertainment every Friday night. 490 Dillard Rd. 828.526.4429.

• Fressers Eatery at Helen’s Barn — A full service restaurant in Historic Helen”s Barn serving lunch and dinner. Sandwiches, salads, homemade soups as well as fresh seafood and decadent desserts. Complete wine list. 151 Helen’s Barn Ave. 828.526.4188.

• Highlands House of Coffee — Coffee and more. 310 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.5578.

• Highlands Wine and Cheese — Entertainment on the weekends. 561 Main St. in Highlands. 828.526.5210.

• Madison’s Restaurant and Wine Garden — Located in the historic Old Edwards Inn and Spa, the 92 seat fine dining restaurant features Carolina High Country cuisine with an exceptional wine list. Winner. Alfresco dining in the wine garden. Menu changes weekly. 445 Main Street. 828.526.5477.

• On The Veranda — American Fusion overlooking Lake Sequoyah. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1987 and Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction. Serving dinner 7 nights a week with a wine bar and entertainment nightly. 1536 Franklin Rd. in Highlands. 828.526.2338.

• Peregrine Restaurant — The menu is classic continental American and is entirely handmade. Full service bar overlooking the golf course at Highlands Cove. Reservations suggested. Highlands Cove Drive. 828.787.2465.

• Ristorante Paoletti — Italian dining since 1953. Specializing in veal, chops, pasta and seafood. 1,000 selection wine cellar. 440 Main St. 828.526.4906.

• Wolfgang’s Restaurant and Wine Bistro — New Orleans specialties, house aged steaks, fresh seafood, veal and venison. Featuring daily specials. Wine Spectator Award Winning Wine List. Reservations recommended. 474 Main St. 828.526.3807.



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Why people from Atlanta select Western North Carolina for Vacation Homes

Here's a nice article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution regarding the Cashiers, NC area and why people from Atlanta are choosing to buy their vacation home here in the mountains!

Vacation Home of the Week: Cashiers, NC

Natural beauty with plenty to do

By Lori Johnston
For the AJC

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Mark Carruth and his wife, Dena, built a second home in Cashiers, N.C., because of its laid-back locale and proximity to high-end homes Carruth was building in the area, including in Trillium. Carruth, co-founder of Windsong Properties, which also creates active adult communities in metro Atlanta, chatted about their North Carolina getaway.

Their place: This is the couple’s third home in Cashiers. Features that they haven’t had in previous vacation homes include the outdoor fireplace. “Especially this time of the year, we enjoy sitting around it. That would be the most unique feature about the house,” he said. While their home in Atlanta is more formal, the North Carolina house features natural materials such as stone and antique beams and distressed wood floors. “It’s very cozy, warm. It just has a real good feel to it,” he said. Across the street is an unusual amenity, a croquet court - and their home also backs up to a garden golf course and trails. They’re walking distance to the activities center, which has a gym, spa and indoor tennis courts.

How far from home: About three hours from the north side of Atlanta. “You’ve got this incredible drive, for the most part,” he said. “When you get off the interstate, you get into some beautiful scenic areas.”

How often theyire there: Carruth is typically there every week, for work and relaxation.
What they love about it: The solitude. “We’re in a very quiet area where you’ve got the natural beauty of the mountains surrounding you,” Carruth said.

What they do when they’re there: Golf on Trillium’s mountain course. They also enjoy hiking and mountain biking. “It’s just incredible trails, with tremendous views. We had some friends up (one) weekend and hiked up to Chimney Top,” he said. On Friday evenings, they often meet with neighbors at wine and cheese events sponsored by the development. “That’s sort of where you connect and you go out to dinner and make arrangements for weekend activities from there,” he said.

At a Glance
Mark and Carruth’s home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and features such as a master on the main, vaulted ceilings and a stone fireplace. The home was completed about two years ago.

Community Overview
Trillium has more than 300 existing homes, with a total of 500 planned. Prices range from $400,000-$3 million in the community, which started development 12 years ago. The homes range from 1,500-6,000 square feet, with lot sizes averaging 1 acre. They have four bedrooms and 4 baths, on average, and features such as outdoor fireplaces or fire pits and a master on the main. Amenities include a lake, 18-hole golf course and golf learning center, tennis courts, pool, two restaurants, fitness center, garden golf and croquet. Annual dues in the community, developed by Trillium Links & Village, range from $6,000-$8,500.

To tour any homes for sale feel free to contact us at 828-226-8837. Resales and developer inventory are available in the Cashiers, Highlands and Sapphire areas.

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Fall in love with the land or the house?-WNC Mountains

The Long Road Home
It took a seven-year hunt and a major renovation, but Christine and Rick Mack
can finally enjoy their Highlands getaway, far from the bustle of Atlanta

written by lydia dishman / photography by gil stose

Christine Mack stands at her kitchen counter snipping glossy-leaved boxwood branches and placing them in small glass vases that she’ll use to decorate tabletops and shelves throughout the house. Mid-morning sunlight splashes down through tall multi-paned windows, as her bichon frise, Boo, curls amiably at her feet.

Before Christine and her husband, Rick, bought their Highlands retreat, they made frequent pilgrimages from the Atlanta community of Buckhead to the home of Christine’s best friend, Patricia, on Mirror Lake. “We just fell in love with Highlands,” Christine says. And so began a seven-year quest to find the right home of their own.

Their requirements were simple. Rick wanted acreage and privacy, Christine wanted something special that was close to town (“and shopping,” she exclaims, laughing at the emphasis she puts on her and Patricia’s favorite pastime).

“Patty was very patient,” Christine explains with an affectionate nod toward her friend, who has just popped in. Indeed, Patricia lent her support through the false starts and rough patches during the hunt, including the purchase of a lot off Cullasaja Drive, and a delay after the couple transferred to Washington, D.C., for work. Eventually they moved back to Atlanta, sold the lot, and started the scouting all over again. But one Memorial Day weekend, their luck changed.

The Macks spotted a For Sale sign on Webbmont Road in front of one of the first homes they’d seen—and passed up—during their initial search. “The house was a mess then,” Christine says, shaking her head at the recollection. Water had seeped into the house, rotting the floor joists. At the time, it was a larger project than the Macks wanted to tackle, especially with their demanding jobs in the city (Rick is the general manager of radio station Star 94 and Christine is in corporate real estate).

The interim owners had addressed the damage by replacing the floors and shoring up the structure, but Christine described the house as a rabbit warren, with “low ceilings, dark rooms, and no charm.” They did, however, fall in love with the property and quickly inked a deal. Even their architect, Norman Askins, who had immediately voiced his concern with an incredulous, “you didn’t buy that place did you?” was won over by the gorgeous five-acre expanse. Indeed the land’s gentle slopes and thickets of tall, slim hardwoods and pines create an air of seclusion, despite the closeness of neighbors and the short distance to the center of town.

Askins set to work sketching a plan for a major redesign and renovation. The vistas from the rise where the house sits practically begged for “a lot of glass” to connect the indoors to the environment. The rest, he says, was easy.

The Macks agreed to Askins’ bold initial drawing, which tore away the middle of the existing structure. In its place, a two-story gable became the focal point of the home, while the raised ceiling and multiple windows captured the light and framed the decadent views.

Askins also designed what Christine calls an “eating porch,” a series of screened outdoor sitting rooms that wrap around one side of the house and connect to the master suite and living room. Now, as she moves easily through the dining room, she says the “old” house presented her with a blank canvas, and that she, too, was inspired by their enclave in the woods.

The only furnishings she brought with her from Atlanta were a dresser that belonged to her grandmother and several of the painted trays she’s been collecting for more than a decade. So, she and Patricia happily whiled away the hours in local antique stores and home furnishing boutiques, choosing pieces that complemented the woodland theme.

For Christine, this served not only to fill her home with lovely pieces, but was also a way to meet her neighbors and local shopkeepers. “Now I know more people here than I do in Atlanta,” she explains.

The result is a combination of rustic wood, native stone, and thoughtfully chosen art and artifacts which create a balance and harmony. The overall effect is at once organic and casually chic. Askins gives credit to Christine for making the 3,000-square-foot abode “unaffected and honest.” He says, “I love the way the home integrates the land they’re passionate about. It’s laid back and easy.”

Christine echoes the sentiment, adding that the home is a popular spot for informal cocktail parties and holiday dinners. Though all the surrounding comforts embrace the immediacy of impromptu gatherings, the place itself exudes a sense of timelessness. The tan and white tones are soothing, the open spaces invite quiet lingering, and each window offers a different perspective on ever-changing slants of light, whether in fall or spring, at dusk or dawn.
Christine considers Boo as the pup snuggles against the backrest of the sofa. For her, this home is above all, a place to exhale. “The minute you cross into the mountains you are able to leave Atlanta behind.”

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Looking for privacy and serenity in a Mountain Retreat Home?-Cashiers, NC

The Stonefly Community is a boutique style subdivision conveniently located just 1.2 miles from the Crossroads in Cashiers NC. At Stonefly, it has been our goal to protect as much of the natural environment as possible by keeping home sites large and the density low so that each home owner can enjoy the privacy and serenity of this magical place while being conveniently close to Cashiers, Highlands and Lake Glenville North Carolina.

Four spectacular homes priced from 1.55 million are newly completed and ready for occupancy. All these homes are professionally decorator furnished. In addition, Stonefly has magnificent home sites still available starting at $250,000. Lots range in size from 1 to 5.4 acres, each home site is covered with lush native vegetation such as rhododendron and mountain laurel and is shaded by a thick canopy of towering hardwoods.

Trout streams meander throughout Stonefly and form the boundaries of each lot. These headwater streams feed the wild and scenic Chattooga River. We believe, once you have seen the very unique charm of this enchanted place, you will want to call it home.

Our featured home is the Richmond

This is not a mountain cabin in the woods. ........It's a mountain retreat that you will cherish every moment you spend in this Luxury North Carolina Mountain Home.

Step inside and become enchanted as you enter through the stone columns and vintage timbers which give just a hint of the Arts and Craft style of a bygone era.

There is more than enough room for the many guests you will want to invite to your hideaway. They will feel welcome coming home to a fire burning brightly in the stone fireplace with hand carved mantel.

The hardwood floors in the Great Room give off a soft reflective glow as you enter the Craftsman style kitchen with granite counter tops, of course. Any chef’s wish list is fulfilled with state of the art appliances and amenities. The bright sun room with paneled wood and beamed ceiling will be the perfect gathering place for friends and family.

A large master suite encompasses a full bath and a boutique sized walk-in closet.

A Powder room, formal dining room, laundry room and two guest rooms with full bath complete the first floor of this spacious home. The terrace level has a massive multi-faceted Game Room with airy sun porch, entertainment kitchen, stone fireplace, stone floors and unique theater alcove. This level boasts two additional guest suites with full private baths, a computer study and a fitness room.

The most amazing feature of this private home is not on the inside. Outside the stone terrace overlooks a natural 491' cascading tranquil stream bordering the rear of the 1.91 acre property. This beautiful home is offered at $1,695,000.

Please contact us to schedule a private tour of the Stonefly community in Cashiers, North Carolina. mailto:info@carolinapg.com

or call 828-226-8837

Relocation information-Top 4 reasons to choose Jackson County, NC

Relocation Information for the North Carolina Great Smoky Mountains of Jackson County Of course Jackson County is a wonderful place to plan a getaway to the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, but it also serves as a wonderful place to live for its residents.

If you want to settle in a wonderful mountain locale, then we have just what you are looking for here in Western North Carolina, including a pleasant climate and the scenic beauty of the mountains.

Jackson County was founded in 1851, in the heart of the North Carolina Mountains, nestled among the Great Smoky Mountains, and features a nice balance between peaceful forests and vibrant downtown's.

Since we are already here, we have listed the Top Four reasons why you should choose Jackson County.

1. Central Location - Jackson County is 50 miles from Asheville, 111 miles from Knoxville, 50 miles from Gatlinburg, and only 150 miles from Atlanta. It's also convenient to Upstate South Carolina, and less than three hours from North Carolina's largest city, Charlotte.

2. A River Runs Through It - The picturesque Tuckasegee River flows 40 miles throughout Jackson County. A moderate current makes it one of the best white-water rivers for beginners and families, and it is considered Western North Carolina's best stream for trout fishing.

3.Booming Business - With a 24 percent increase in population in the 1990s, economic growth abounds. The county is also a popular tourist destination, which has fueled growth in the downtown's of Sylva, Dillsboro and Cashiers.

4. Lovely Landscape - The county's 491 square miles encompass some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the Southeast. Elevations range from 2,000 feet to more than 6,000 feet. The landscape is highlighted by waterfalls, rocky peaks and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The new 'Our Town ' magazine is here! This magazine is FULL of beautiful scenery and helpful information. Our Town can be accessed instantly online by going here!

see also:
Cashiers NC Communities (11)
cashiers nc golf courses (2)
cashiers nc history (3)


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Cashiers, North Carolina Second Home Market Report

Hello Readers, Just wanted to share an article I found on the Cashiers area Real Estate Market. Cashiers, NC is located in Jackson County on this map.Now is a great time to buy mountain property in Western North Carolina. Here's why.... Spring starts our busy time of year for vacationers and homeowners spending summers in the mountains. We've already seen an increase of buyer activity and people are starting to come to the area earlier, and earlier every year. Yes, we are in a second home market; however, more buyers are looking to Western NC as their permanent retirement residence. source: Crossroads Chronical News A subprime mortgage crisis may have set off the country's current and growing recessive economic woes, but there seems to be a silver-lined cloud hanging over the Cashiers area."If you are a savvy person who has the resources to take advantage of opportunities, this is a unique opportunity that I have not seen here before, said Joe Pearson, president of Cashiers Mortgage service, Inc. "I'm not saying we're seeing a price drop in all the houses, but if someone wants to purchase in God's country, now is the time to find an agent who will work for them. "The mortgage company Freddie Mac reported on the week of the Feb. 7 that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 5.72 percent this week. That's up from 5.67 percent the week before. Although the national news media may be reporting otherwise, the combination of lower mortgage rates, falling house prices and the government's newly signed economic stimulus package bring opportunities for buyers in the Cashiers area. Both Carolina Mortgage and Cashiers Mortgage Service have noted a dip in the amount of mortgage applications being processed. But Pearson says that doesn't mean Cashiers is necessarily following in the footsteps of a purported national trend. "The buyers who are affected are buyers who don't qualify (for mortgages)."Jones said that banks have been tightening credit standards, and that it is more difficult to obtain a line of credit. But, she said the basic qualifications for potential buyers haven't changed."It's harder now," Jones said. "If you have a job and a good down payment and good credit - the qualifications have not changed. Those affected most are buyers relying on the non-documentation programs and buyers who have very little funds and buyers with bad credit who, 10 years ago, couldn't even consider buying a house."Another caveat that separates the Cashiers real estate market from others following the reported national trends can be summed up in three words: Second home market. "We are not in the same category as what the media is talking about," Pearson said. "We are in the second home market, a resort area. Our customers are wealthy for the most part, and we don't have a foreclosure issue. What we have are opportunities that people can take advantage of. Out of state contractors building spec homes - they may sell cheaper than what they would two years ago. Other people - their industry may slow down and they may decide to reduce their house price out of a desire to restructure their financial picture, given the economy." If you are visiting the mountains this summer and would like to see property for sale please contact us at 813-784-7744  Keller Williams Realty see also: Land and Lots for sale Sapphire Valley-Highlands-Cashiers-Lake Glenville NC 
For more information regarding Homes for Sale, Real Estate, and Land and Lots for sale in the Western North Carolina Area email me or call 813-784-7744

Whisper Lake Lot for Sale,Cashiers/Sapphire NC

View of Whisper Lake-Residential Community

FOR SALE BY OWNER Lot of the month - Whisper Lake

Located in the Whisper Lake resort community of Sapphire Valley Resort. All of Wyndham Sapphire Valley amenities are included. The great Sapphire Mountain Golf Club golf course with views, waterfalls, undulated greens and scenic tees is just a short drive with deep discounts. Other Sapphire Valley amenities include... tennis, golf & miniature golf, massage therapy, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, sauna, steam room, game and fitness centers, and downhill skiing.

A diamond in the rough. Great cul-de-sac lot with privacy and at the top and lots of road frontage. Borders the Lupton Ranch.

Available for 65K

View Map of Whisper Lake

Enjoy the beauty of rhododendrons, mountain laurels, and the waterfowl activities, waterfalls close by, great hiking trails, fishing lakes/streams, national forest abound and all the other great mountain living at your fingertips.

Approximately 1 Acre lot at one of the highest elevations in Whisper Lake. Great building sites and preferred builders have been chosen.

There are only a handful of lots to be purchased in the area for 65K and under. This lot already has approved Septic and Community Water in place.

MUST SEE TO APPRECIATE THE VIEWS, COMMUNITY AND THE AREA.

Thinking of building a summer home? Rent out when you are not using it and make a profit!
Want to build? At this price you can afford to build a custom home and still make a nice profit.

There are currently 15 single family homes listed in the MLS for sale in

Whisper Lake.

Pricing ranges depending on size of home and views.

HI: $872,000
LO: $399,900
MEDIAN: $499,000
AVG: $532,547

If you are thinking of investing in Real Estate and buying a starter lot in the mountains of North Carolina, check out Whisper Lake.

There are no for sale signs allowed in the community. Scheduling in advance is always recommended.

For details on lots for sale contact

Rae Shatto, Realtor-

Keller Williams Realty

info@carolinapg.com

Or call toll free 888-277-2006 x2

The Preserve at Eagle Crest-Cashiers, Lake Glenville NC

Aerial View of The Preserve at Eagle Crest Development


The Preserve at Eagle Crest is a proposed 44 - 48 Estate Home Site community with an average of two acre lots located in the Blue Ridge and Smokey Mountains of Lake Glenville, North Carolina. The views are 360-degrees of the lake, Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountains, Snowbird Mountains, Whiteside Mountain and long range views into bordering states.

The development is located amongst the highest mountains in the Eastern United States and the area boosts the most waterfalls in North Carolina, exclusive shopping in Highlands & Cashiers, has two of the top five golf courses in North Carolina, public and private lakes, some of the best weather in the Eastern United States. Because of the close proximity to 3 major airports and several smaller ones, the area has doubled in size over the last 10 years. The area continues to see growth in golf courses, lake front property, shopping centers, residents of Fortune 100 companies and some of the top restaurants in the state.

The Preserve at Eagle Crest will be located 8 miles from Cashiers, 7 miles from Highlands, and 55 miles from Asheville. The site is found off Hwy 107 North to Pine Creek Road and right on Cullowhee Mountain Road.

The proposed entrance to the community will feature stone pillars having an automated Iron Gate and signature Copper Eagle sculptures on the pillars. The drive up the 16-foot wide paved road is a slight grade with minimal lighting and side drainage for making access to this community one of the most attractive entrances around. At the top you will come to the Community Pavilion on your right which is present and will be enhanced with a 360-degree stone deck equipped with benches, chairs, fire pits and outdoor fireplace, outdoor kitchen, table and chairs, enhanced indoor kitchen with cooking island for catered events, large tables for entertaining. The Pavilion has an automated 8 over sized “garage” door system that rolls into the ceiling for 360-degree viewing. The thought for the Pavilion is will be used for private parties, weddings, special events, anniversaries, community “block” parties, and many other uses.

The current 2-story Carriage House will be converted to a fitness center, sauna, bathroom facilities, and showers. The fitness center will also provide restroom facilities for the future pool complex featuring an Infinity Heated Pool with full lake views from the edge and Mother Nature. This pool is intended to be upscale with the edge of the pool allowing for the 360-degree views.

Walking trails are proposed to be developed throughout the community.

The 2-story Guest House is intended for hospitality and on site sales office. This current guest home will be enhanced with the full lower level becoming a master suite utilizing the large windows overlooking the mountains. The upper level is superior to many current builder standards and features a full kitchen, great room, full wraparound deck, and will be furnished. The home will be a 2 bedroom-2 bath when completed. The use of this home could be used as a hospitality home for potential buyers and their families.

Visit The Preserve at Eagle Crest for more information on this exicitng new development

For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale in the Lake Glenville Area info@carolinapg.com or call 888-277-2006

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Cashiers' NC real estate on par with other resort markets

Whiteside Mountain Views

Cashiers' real estate on par with other resort markets


By Jessica Connor - Editor


Posted:


Wednesday, Jul 05, 2006 - 09:46:03 am EDT



Cashiers’ real estate market is “on the map” when it comes to other resort areas’ markets, say some local Realtors.The Chronicle surveyed a handful of other resort markets in the country - Highlands; Key West, Fla.; Vail, Colo.; Newport, R.I.; Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; Hilton Head, S.C.; and Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Though our median and million-dollar home sale figures are not the highest of these markets, they are not the lowest, either.And that spells good things for the community, said Cathy Garren, vice president of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of Realtors.“I think it certainly puts us on the map, so to speak, as being one of the top resort areas in the nation,” Garren said. “We know we are one of the top beautiful areas in the nation, but more people are finding out the same thing that we already know.”

The figures represent single-family houses sold between May 16, 2005, and May 15, 2006, most retrieved through a community’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS).The numbers are as follows:

Cashiers - $510,000 median, 38 sold at $1 million and up (representing the Jackson County area of the Board of Realtors, which comprises primarily Cashiers, Glenville, Sapphire Valley, Yellow Mountain and the Norton Community)

Highlands - $542,500 median, 48 sold at $1 million and up

Key West $775,000 median, 111 sold at $1 million and up

Vail - $698,500 median, 184 sold at $1 million and up

City of Newport - $472,000 median, 27 sold at $1 million and up

Martha’s Vineyard - $712,250 median, 117 sold at $1 million and up (representing all six towns on the island)

Hilton Head - $700,000 median, 323 sold at $1 million and up

Jackson Hole $298,000 median, 170 sold at $1 million and up

For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale and new developments in the Cashiers, Highlands and Lake Glenville areas please contact us 828-226-8837

Why people are moving from Florida? Where are they going?

Property tax relief is the Florida Legislature’s top priority this spring. And a new package of bills in New Jersey, if approved, would give a tax credit of up to 20 percent to homeowners and cap annual local tax increases at 4 percent — despite the predicted deficit.

“People are reacting to the large increases in assessments that took place over the past few years and looking to cut property taxes,” wrote Iris J. Lav, deputy director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal research and advocacy organization. “If assessments stagnate or decline, however, the cuts could seriously overreach.” Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida is among officials across the country who dismiss that notion, saying that reducing property taxes would fatten consumers’ wallets and dissuade them from leaving the state.

Census data show that fewer people than usual moved into Florida last year. And an abrupt halt in the growth of public school enrollment this year suggests that families are leaving. Despite dropping prices, communities like Naples, Miami and Sarasota still have some of the most overvalued real estate in the nation, according to Global Insight, a research firm in Waltham, Mass.

“People are packing up the equity and moving to North Carolina"

For information on relocating to North Carolina, Homes for sale, Land for sale and new developments, call Rae Shatto 888-277-2006 x2 or email us.

Bald Rock and The Divide at Bald Rock-Cashiers, NC

Mountain View Lot from The Divide at Bald Rock

Premium North Carolina Mountain Real Estate -

Bald Rock Equestrian Community

The Divide at Bald Rock is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Smoky Mountains at the center of the Lake Toxaway, Cashiers and Highland resort areas in Western North Carolina just 2.5 hours north of Atlanta, Ga.

Easily accessible to The Divide mountain properties are the unique communities of Cashiers and Highlands. Both towns offer visitors a variety of dining, lodging, and shopping opportunities. Activities for outdoor enthusiasts included golfing, fly fishing, boating, whitewater rafting, swimming, water skiing, and snow skiing.

The mountain area offers an exceptional opportunity for the golf enthusiast. There are approximately 14 golf courses located in the area, most designed by world-renowned course designers. The Highlands Country Club course was designed by Donald Ross. The Cullasaja Club course was designed by Arnold Palmer; the Wade Hampton Golf Club course was designed by Tom Fazio.

The mountain area is home to an endless supply of lakes and rivers. Lake Glenville is known for being the highest man-made lake on the east coast at an elevation of 3,492 feet. Having more than a dozen species of fish, it offers plenty to challenge the skill of fishermen. It is perfect for boating, and has some of the most coveted shoreline in North Carolina.

Find out more about Lake Glenville

In front of glorious Bald Rock Mountain sits 55-acre Fairfield Lake. Experience the entire lake along its surrounding hiking trail. There is a sandy beach for sunning and swimming, two docks, a boathouse and a boat rental with good fishing. Whitewater rafting will oblige the brave of heart. With this exhilarating sport, as well as for kayaking, the Nantahala River is known to be one of the best in Blue Ridge Mountain area. For the more sedate water activist, the passive French Broad River is a wonderful alternative.

The Divide and Bald Rock-Cashiers, NC

Mountain property ownership at The Divide entitles residents to all the year-round amenities of Sapphire Valley Resort for a nominal fee. Sapphire Valley amenities include indoor/outdoor swimming pools, 18-hole championship mountain golf course, tennis center, exercise facilities, miniature golf, boat rental on 55-acre Lake Fairfield, winter skiing and much more. The Divide’s neighboring mountain community of Bald Rock shares amenities including an equestrian center with acres of lush pastureland, stables and miles of hiking, biking and riding trails which offers access to multiple waterfalls and a rare highland bog.

The Divide community features a covered pavilion for family occasions and community celebrations. This open-air, rustic facility is flanked by two fireplaces and includes a full-service kitchen.

Adjacent to The Divide lays the magnificent Panthertown Valley. Owned by the U.S. Forest Service, this remarkable 6,700-acre preserve nicknamed the “Yosemite of the East” must be experienced to be appreciated. Meandering streams and intricate waterfall systems make Panthertown Valley a haven for horseback riders, hikers, riders, and nature lovers.

For more information on Bald Rock, The Divide at Bald Rock and other Westmark Developments


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Market Growth in Cashiers, North Carolina

Real Estate January 5, 2007, 12:01AM EST

Luxury Real Estate Snapshot: North Carolina

With its hearty economy, varied landscape, and ideal climate, North Carolina has rapidly become a magnet for wealthy homeowners
by Maya Roney

Ask a North Carolinian about the housing bubble bust, and you might get a quizzical look. Bubble? What bubble? It never happened here. In any conversation about local real estate, they will, however, be happy to tell you about "half-backers." Not a football player, but a name for affluent professionals and retirees who move from the Northeast to Florida and halfway back again, to North Carolina.

This migration pattern has contributed to the state's recent population boom and continued home sales growth, even as the U.S. housing market gets whacked due to years of speculation. North Carolina has moved past New Jersey as the 10th most populous state as its population grew 2% in 2006 to 8.8 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In 20 years, it is expected to be the country's seventh most populous state.

The influx seems to be keeping North Carolina's housing market afloat. Existing home sales in the state were up 4% year to date as of November, 2006, vs. a 4.4% year-to-date decline nationwide. Compared to November, 2005, North Carolina home sales slipped 4% in November, 2006, while U.S. sales fell 10.7% in the same period.

Business Bait
"[The population growth] bodes well for real estate, both for real estate investors and practitioners," says Tim Kent, executive vice-president of the North Carolina Association of Realtors (NCAR). "We have every indication that 2006 was the sixth straight record year for home sales in North Carolina."

There's something addictive about North Carolina, the site of the first English colony in the Americas. And it's not the state's abundant tobacco crop. North Carolina's strong economy might have something to do with the recent population boom (and vice-versa). In the 2005-06 fiscal year (July 1 to June 30), the state's gross domestic product grew 3.9%, outpacing the country's 3.5% growth. North Carolina also added 120,000 jobs in 2006. Roughly 20,000 were in construction, and about 10,000 were in financial services at firms like Wachovia (WB) and Bank of America (BAC), both based in Charlotte.

"We have a migration of people, profitable banks, a good university system, and a strong military presence," says Harry Davis, chairholder and economist for the North Carolina Bankers Association. "When you put all those factors together, it creates a good economic environment, and a strong real estate sector."

Forget Florida
Another feature attracting masses to the Tar Heel State? Value. Whether you are relocating for your job or purchasing a second home, as a general rule, you can buy more house in North Carolina than you can in Palm Beach. And you'll still get the ocean view.

"I see a lot of people saying, 'As soon as I can get my home in Florida sold I'll move [to North Carolina],'" says Pat Handley, a realtor with McKee Properties in Cashiers.

The Outer Banks, with its 100 miles of beaches, has always been a popular destination for homeowners and vacationers from the Northeast. The climate is more temperate than in coastal areas further south, and the houses, though costly, are not unattainable. The most expensive beach homes on the market will run you about $5 million. In the case of our featured house in Wilmington, that price buys seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms on the ocean.

The New Aspen
As half-backers make their way to the undervalued mid-Atlantic, another kind of migration is going on within North Carolina—homeowners are fleeing the hurricanes and sweltering summers of the coast, and taking refuge in the mild weather of the western mountains.

Cashiers, a tiny resort community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, was settled about 200 years ago by pioneers from the south looking to escape the summer heat. Today, it still has four livable seasons and some stunning luxury homes. Cashiers also has plenty to do recreationally, with golf courses, streams for kayaking and canoeing, miles of unspoiled forest for hiking, and even skiing.

"Our area has been likened to Aspen as it was in the '50s, before it was developed," says McKee Properties' Pat Handley, who is marketing one of the community's highest-priced properties—a private mountaintop estate with valley and mountain views from every room—for $4.48 million.

Growing Market
Homes over $5 million are still a rarity in North Carolina, especially when you leave the secluded mountains or the coveted coast.

"Emerging is a good word for it," says Ed Willard, an agent with York Simpson Underwood, who has a 10,000-sq.-ft. home on the market for $3.895 million in one of Raleigh's most desirable neighborhoods. The average house in Raleigh, a burgeoning business center, goes for about $250,000, Willard estimates.

The relative inexpensiveness of North Carolina homes can make selling at the highest end a challenge. "The high-end market down here is a little rough," says realtor Martha Bick, whose 15,000-sq.-ft. chateau-style listing near Durham, at $7.763 million, is the second most expensive property in the state. "But it might be $20 million in New York," she adds.

For questions regarding the real estate market in North Carolina, Land Developments, and Golf Course Communities contact The Carolina Plateau Group 888-277-2006 x2 or send us an email

Why people are investing in North Carolina

HAVENS Highlands and Cashiers, N.C.; On the Blue Ridge, Twin Towns Draw a Younger Crowd
By DENISE KIERNAN

HIGHWAY 64 rises on the one-hour drive from Asheville, N.C., to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As it climbs, the cool mountain air and the wide expanse of sky offer a sense of refuge for those arriving from hot, sticky cities like Atlanta and Charleston.


That sense of refuge has drawn Southerners to homes in the twin towns of Highlands and Cashiers for well over a century. But now, with more and more part-time residents staying beyond the summer and a younger, more active set of homeowners over all, it may no longer be true to say that Highlands-Cashiers is one of the best-kept second-home secrets in the nation.


Once, the towns' trademark feature was their several golf communities for retirees, said Ann McKee Austin, a local real estate agent. But now, she said, you're likelier to see ''the S.U.V. with the Labrador in the back and the kayak on top.'' Or, as Cathy Garren, another real estate agent, put it: ''It used to be retirees from Florida. Now it's working people from Atlanta.''


They come for the mild weather and for the lush forests and waterfalls set amid stunning mountain silhouettes. But despite the climate and the setting, relative distance from big cities has helped to keep real estate prices from skyrocketing; local agents say that in the last five years, prices have increased from 12 to 20 percent. ''This is not a boom or bust area, where you have windfall years and then slack years,'' Ms. Austin said. ''It's consistent and steady. We like it that way. It's not some kind of new, made-up town on the coast of Florida.''


The Scene
Highlands and Cashiers (pronounced CASH-ers) are equally affluent fraternal twins, nestled in the midst of the Nantahala National Forest. The area has been used as a summer retreat since the mid-1800's, when wealthy families from the Low Country of South Carolina began putting up summer cottages and modest Greek Revival houses there. The town of Highlands was founded in 1875 by Kansas developers who, the story goes, drew two lines on a map, one from Chicago to Savannah, the other from New York City to New Orleans, believing that the intersection would be ideal for trade.

Today, if there is a difference between the two towns, it is that Cashiers is a little bit country, Highlands a little bit country club. Highlands, fittingly, is also higher, at an elevation of 4,113 feet to Cashiers's 3,500 feet. New homes in both towns tend to be large houses located either in gated communities or on estate lots of five acres or more.

Highlands has a proper Main Street, which draws strolling day-trippers in khakis and polo shirts. But both towns offer plenty of boutique shopping and local crafts. For activities, there's a lot to do, from pampering to playing in the rugged outdoors. You can indulge in a massage at the spa of the Old Edwards Inn on Main Street in Highlands or play croquet on the lawn of the Chattooga Club in Cashiers. Or you can climb the sheer face of Whiteside Mountain, hike to the 411-foot-tall Whitewater Falls or fish on Lake Glenville.

Mike Hays, who owns an insurance agency in Sarasota, Fla., lived between the two towns for five years and is buying a new home in Cashiers. ''I like living in Cashiers and going to Highlands,'' said Mr. Hays, a 36-year-old father of two young children. ''We've got a mountain double-jog-stroller, and we take the kids hiking with us. We go out for ice cream, We play in the yard. We're at home.'' Mr. Hays's family comes back to the area in the fall for the colors and at Thanksgiving.

Sue Gail, originally from England, lives most of the year in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and found herself at Highlands Falls Country Club in 2001, after her husband, a developer, began working on projects in the area. Ms. Gail, 60, started the Highlands Film Festival, which just completed its second year. She and her husband spend several months in Highlands in the summer; she says many residents she knows are spending more and more time there. ''It's beautiful,'' she said. ''People are so wonderful up here. It's a rejuvenating getaway.''


Pros
Property taxes vary but are relatively low (an example: $1,485 a year for 6.94 acres). Views are long, summers are mild and breezy, and fall features a mind-boggling palette of colors.


There are many golf courses of distinction in the area. Bobby Jones spent several summers at the Highlands Country Club, and he still holds the course record. The Wade Hampton Club, designed by a golf course guru and area resident, Tom Fazio, was ranked 17th in the United States by Golf Digest in 2005.

Outdoor Magazine ranked Cashiers one of America's ''top dream towns'' in 2004.
If exerting yourself is not a priority, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in both towns, or you can hop into your car and go for a scenic drive.


Cons
Anything that travels to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau takes the same twisting drive, and getting stuck behind a land-yacht can add time and nausea to your trip.
Unincorporated Cashiers is dry, though brown-bagging is permitted practically everywhere. Alcohol can be bought in Highlands, which is incorporated, but laws there are complicated (some restaurants can serve wine, but not beer). Nevertheless, many club communities have stocked bars and restaurants, and private restaurant clubs (membership fees range from a dollar a year to more than $100) have full permits.

Some of the restaurants and shops shut down during the winter, and even in summer, things close early. ''We do have some great restaurants,'' said Debi Dickson, an Atlanta resident who spends four months a year in Highlands. ''Just don't expect to eat at them at 10 p.m.''


The Real Estate Market
Expect to spend at least $700,000 to buy into one of the high-end, full-amenity gated communities. (Many of the club amenities in those communities close in the winter.) Houses at that price will probably not include a view or a fancy kitchen. At about $900,000, you can begin to have a house with everything: views, granite countertops, extensive decks, three bedrooms, an acre of land. Styles vary, but variations on Adirondack, Shingle-style and English cottage are popular.

Bargains can still be found in some of the smaller, older cottages in the woods, especially if you're willing to be 10 to 15 miles outside town. With some searching, you can perhaps find a little bungalow, a ranch or an A-frame in the $200,000-to-$400,000 range with two or three bedrooms, depending on the condition and age of the home.

It's not unusual for a house to stay on the market for six months because of the seasonal nature of home sales. Ms. Austin recently sold a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath, 1,962-square-foot Shingle-style house on 3.47 acres in the Chattooga Club. It had another 1,069 square feet in porches and decks, views and included many antiques. It was listed at $2,295,000 and sold 35 days later for $2,245,000.

Ms. Garren recently sold a 30-year-old three-bedroom, three-bath house on .81 acres in a subdivision for $440,000. It was on the market for 64 days.

There is a good deal of new high-end development in the area, more than 3,000 acres in and around Cashiers alone. But agents suspect that the out-of-the-way location of Highlands-Cashiers, although attractive, keeps prices and development from spiraling out of control.

''We don't want the fudge factories, the T-shirt shops and water slides,'' Ms. Austin said.


LAY OF THE LAND POPULATION -- The Highlands area has about 3,000 year-round residents and about 20,000 in season. The area around Cashiers has 1,700 year-round residents and about 10,000 in season.


LOCATION -- Western North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains, roughly 80 miles southwest of Asheville.


WHO'S BUYING -- Retirees with a love of golf who park themselves there for the summer and wealthy pre-retirees from nearby Atlanta who use their homes throughout the year. Still a favorite of Southerners, but Midwesterners are starting to stop in.


GETTING THERE -- Asheville's airport is the closest at about 60 miles, roughly an hour and a half drive. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is a two-hour drive away in South Carolina. Atlanta is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away.

WHILE YOU'RE LOOKING -- The Old Edwards Inn and Spa (445 Main Street, 866-526-8008) on Main Street in Highlands offers Swedish massage packages, upscale shops and fine dining in Madison's Restaurant and Wine Garden. Its 30 rooms, suites and cottages start at $235.


For questions pertaining to the Cashiers/Highlands Real Estate market contact The Carolina Plateau Group info@carolinapg.com or call toll-free 888-277-2006 x2