Homes for sale in Highlands, Cashiers & Lake Glenville, NC

Homes for sale in Highlands, Cashiers & Lake Glenville, NC. Please e mail me for photos!

MLS# 63158
Trillium Lake View Home
Welcome to Trillium Links & Lake Club and your LAKE GLENVILLE VIEW home! This newer construction home has been professionally decorated to the 9's & is being sold fully furnished. With close proximity to the lake (any closer you would be in the water), Trillium's lakefront amenities & docks are at your immediate disposal. Bring your clothes & toothbrush & begin your mountain lake experience today!
$995,000


Trillium Lot 16
Lot 16 & lot 17 - sold separately ($349K each) or together ($650K) have amazing easterly, long range mountain & golf course (Trillium Sign Hole 8) views. Located in the Arbors area of Trillium Ridge, these lots await your "cedar shake cottage" design. Trillium's 9-hole "chip & putt" & fitness ctr are within yards of these lots. $349,000

MLS# 58762
$675000
Three story Victorian style home with panoramic mountain, golf AND lake views! Wrap around deck, 3 bedroom -3.5 baths.
Amazing vaulted windows overlooking paradise.

For information about homes or land for sale in Highlands, Cashiers or Lake Glenville North Carolina, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to huntforhouses@yahoo.com

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NC Real Estate Tips - Highlands, North Carolina

Some tips for finding the best North Carolina Real Estate:
Before you travel, search the internet, look for design ideas on building your luxury mountain cabin or find the best luxury North Carolina mountain properties.

If you are looking for a pre-existing home, as you travel through the many mountain communities you’ll notice there may not be any for sale signs as they are not allowed in most developments. You’ll want to engage the services of a Buyer’s Agent Realtor who will have access to the local MLS home searches. You probably will want to contact a Realtor in advance, as October is one of the busiest times of the year. Let them know what you are looking for so they will have time to prepare a list especially for you and your particular criteria.

We use the latest computer technology to bring you the best daily entertainment, up to the minute news and real estate information on our top rated weblog.

We are focused on providing a full service experience for our clients before they get here, as well as when they arrive. From purchasing land to develop to finding a rental home, suggesting restaurants and things to do in the area, as many of the best places are off the beaten path.

Don’t forget to have a little fun along the way! There are many art festivals in the area, some of which feature the best blue grass music in Western North Carolina. If you are traveling to see the brilliant fall colors of the leaves changing don’t forget your camera.

Another big draw to the Cashiers, Highlands N.C. area and the many private and public golf courses.

For information about Highlands, Cashiers or Lake Glenville North Carolina area Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around Highlands, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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North Carolina Wins Site Selection Award for the best place to live and work

North Carolina Wins Site Selection Award - The place to work and live!

Based on corporated Real Estate Executives. North Carolina is the place to work and live. North Carolina's business climate was the best in the nation in 2006, according to the latest survey from Site Selection magazine.

The Tar Heel State earned top honors in the publication's 'Top Business Climate for 2006" survey, which is based in part on a survey of corporate real estate executives. This is the second consecutive year -- and the fifth time in six years -- that North Carolina has earned the distinction. Texas finished second, ahead of Ohio, Georgia and Tennessee, respectively.

Corporate executives included in the survey cited North Carolina's "ease of doing business, work force and higher education resources," according to Site Selection. The annual business climate rankings are determined by the state's performance in Conway Data Inc.'s New Plant Database, which tracks new and expanded business facility activity, and by a survey of corporate site seekers across the country.Site Selection is published by Conway Data Inc., an international publishing and association management company based in Atlanta.

For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around NC, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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Golf Course Development Investment Property - North Carolina

Golf Course Development Investment Property

35+/- acres of gently rolling property fronting on the 14th fairway of a fabulous golf course located in the Cashiers/Sapphire area of North Carolina. With only a few restrictions on this property it can be developed into single-family cottages or multi-family golf units. This property offers big views looking up and down fairway with spectacular mountain views in the backdrop. This golf course community offers a variety of amenities such as golf, wonderful club house, tennis, swimming pools, hiking and walking trails, beautiful river for excellent fly-fishing. Paved access with water and power already to the property line. Great value at $60,000.00 per acre.

For additional information or survey please contact Traci Morreale Strub toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6

For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around Higlands, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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Peace in the Mountains of Highlands, North Carolina

Head for the Hills

By Kathy Becker

A change in climate with a change of pace -- the same thing that draws many people to Southwest Florida -- is proving to be an irresistible lure for some working Neapolitans, who find themselves heading for the high hills of Georgia and North Carolina.

In the jargon of the development real estate business, they are called half-backs or boomerangs, because many of them originally came to Florida from the north. Now they are landing about halfway back to their birthplaces, seeking getaways well above sea level.

"We moved down here from the north and find ourselves halfway," says Michael Vranek, vice president of sales at Lely Resort for Stock Development, who has a getaway place he visits nearly every other weekend in Blairsville, Ga., just south of the North Carolina border. "There are four seasons up there, but none of them are so harsh. It's so delightful in the summer. The golf courses are open 12 months of the year. There is some snow or ice, but it's gone in a few hours or a day. And there's unbelievable, true beauty. My wife's family is in Baltimore and Cleveland, and everyone can meet there. We had 13 people for Thanksgiving there last year."

June Mueller, former president of the Naples Area Board of Realtors in 1999, is semi-retired and selling real estate to Neapolitans in Cashiers, N.C. "It's the same issue that drove the baby boomers to Florida looking for a simple, safe place," she says. "They like that kind of lifestyle. It's so similar to Naples. I could see it blossoming in the same way as Naples.

"Neapolitans are helping fuel North Carolina's boom. Mueller says about 25 percent of the members of the Country Club of Sapphire Valley near Cashiers are from Naples. "When I built my house three to five years ago, it was $140 a square foot to build," Mueller says. "Now it's between $200 and $450.

"This is an article that was published Nov 2006 in the Naples Ilustrated Magazine.

For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale e mail Traci at huntforhouses@yahoo.com or call 678-575-6735

Highlands, NC. Mountain Town - By CNN

N.C. mountain town blends rustic charm, rich history:
By Ben BrownSouthern Accents of CNN Travel

Since this North Carolina town arranges itself on a ridge 4,000 feet above sea level, the "high" in Highlands is entirely justified.

Yet it has taken more than altitude to uphold this town's reputation as a favorite summer refuge for more than a century. It's the related gift of remoteness that's key. Getting to Highlands requires intent. You don't pass through on the way to somewhere else.

On approach

You go slowly. You pay attention to the road as it narrows and winds upward. The air feels cooler. The light changes. And when prudence allows, you take in the views: the pastures, the pines and towering tulip poplars of the Nantahala National Forest, the dramatic drop-off into the Cullasaja River Gorge. Lake Sequoyah was created in 1927 by damming the Cullasaja, and its tree-lined shores and vintage cottages suggest the Adirondacks.

The history
Its remote location has protected Highlands since it was founded in 1875 by a couple of Kansas developers who "took a map in hand and drew a line from New York to New Orleans," writes local historian Ran Shaffner in "Heart of the Blue Ridge: Highlands, North Carolina."

"Then they passed another line between Chicago and Savannah. These lines, they predicted, would be the great trade routes of the future, and where they crossed would someday be a great population center."

The idea of hauling goods up and down the highest mountains in the eastern United States to get them from New York to New Orleans never took off. But a landscape that hindered ordinary commerce in the 19th century uniquely qualified Highlands for the business it's been in ever since. By 1931, according to Shaffner's research, Highlands' year-round population of 500 swelled to as many as 3,000 in the summer.

The historic Highlands Inn, where generations have rocked afternoons away on the Main Street porch, was built in 1880 and is one of several Highlands structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The 19th-century Episcopal Chapel nearby and the old cottage neighborhoods bear witness to the town's rich history.

Some locals and longtime seasonal visitors worry that Highlands' increasing popularity will threaten the character of a place with traditions tuned to the rhythms of summers in residence. However, the town's core attractions, walking on footpaths bordered by mountain laurel and lounging on a Main Street bench with an ice cream cone, are like the drive up the mountain. They are too connected to the place itself to be replaced by imported experiences.

To explore
Start off with the basics. At the Highland Hiker, a popular outdoor-gear shop, pick up a map or guide about local hiking trails and take to the woods. Almost half of Macon County, where Highlands is one of two incorporated mountain towns, is in the Nantahala National Forest.

Visit the Highlands Nature Center on Horse Cove Road, for a briefing on the plants and animals that make the plateau unique. Then make the pilgrimage to Sunset Rock, just outside of town, for a taste of the mountaintop perspective.

The people
Now you should sense the place's hold on return visitors -- on particular kinds of visitors, who constitute the second secret of the town's success over time. Since its beginnings, the people most attracted to the area and most likely to invest in summer homes and businesses have been the intellectually curious and committed types -- and, not incidentally, those with the means to retreat to the mountains for the season. They are customers interested in fine food and wine, art, antiques and books.

"It's the cosmopolitan nature of Highlands," says Shaffner. He bet on that sophistication when he founded an independent bookstore, Cyrano's Bookshop, 28 years ago, despite bankers warning him that only a bookstore selling vacation fiction and tourist guides could survive in such a small town.

Main Street
You can sense the diversity of visitors' origins and perspectives in casual conversations around town, from Buck's Coffee Cafe to the take-out counter at Mountain Fresh Fine Foods (where whole apple pies disappear almost instantly).

You can hear the surprise in the voices of first-timers when they recognize established international artists' work at Ann Jacob Gallery. And you may find yourself jumping into conversations at favorite restaurants such as On the Verandah or Wolfgang's Restaurant & Wine Bistro. This summer, to take advantage of the after-shopping crowd and the desire for relaxed gatherings with friends, Wolfgang's will open its Bistro at 3 p.m. to serve wine and a special menu ("from caviar to collard greens," says chef Wolfgang Green).

Many visitors are still brought to Highlands by friends with summer homes. But a feel for the classic mountain resort is available in town at such places as the Highlands Inn or just outside of town at the Inn at Half Mile Farm.

For most whose lives have grown hectic in the urban lowlands, a whole summer in the South's favorite mountain town may be out of the question. But a few days in Highlands can work wonders, from the moment you turn off the main highway and start gaining altitude.

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Golf Courses - Highlands, NC

HIGHLANDS NORTH CAROLINA GOLF COURSES

Franklin Golf CourseFranklin, NC - Public

Mill Creek Country ClubFranklin, NC - Public

Willow Creek Golf ClubFranklin, NC - Public

Highlands Falls Country Club Highlands, NC - Private

Wildcat Cliffs Country Club Highlands, NC - Private

Cullasaja Club Highlands, NC - Private

High Hampton Inn & Country Club Cashiers, NC - Public

Wade Hampton Golf Club Cashiers, NC - Private

Trillium Links Cashiers, NC - Private

Highlands Cove Golf Course Cashiers, NC - Public

Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club Cashiers, NC - Private

Headwaters Golf Club Cashiers, NC - Private

The Country Club of Sapphire Valley Sapphire, NC - Private

Sapphire Mountain Golf Club Sapphire, NC - Public

For information on homes and land for sale in the Highlands Area, call Traci at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an e mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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Phil Mickelsons Golf Course- North Carolina

Mickelson Finalizing Design for River Rock in North Carolina

Phil Mickelson is finishing up his design for the private River Rock Golf Club near Cashiers, N.C. The layout in the Blue Ridge Mountains will feature panoramic vistas, meandering streams and lush forests. River Rock will be built within a development that encompasses close to 4,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau of North Carolina.


"My commitment to golf is to creating the highest quality courses that are challenging, engaging and always provide a truly enjoyable experience each time they are played," said Mickelson, who this week is not far from the River Rock project, playing at the Tour Championship in Atlanta. "To do that, you need to find the most beautiful landscapes available, and develop dream destinations for golfers from around the world. We've done that in the mountains of North Carolina."


Still in the design phase, the River Rock course will boast the following characteristics:


* The first tee is only a few steps from the back door of the clubhouse, creating a "center stage" feel to the start of a round.

* The second hole is a 305-yard, par-3 from the tips, with a 65-foot drop to a green that sits on a knoll with 180-degree views of the nearby mountains.

* The 343-yard third hole is a drivable par-4. The 270-yard carry over a stream and ravine is helped considerably by the 104-foot drop from tee to green.

* The 15th and fourth fairways cross one another, a rarity in American golf. The par-72 River Rock will measure approximately 7,100 yards at its maximum, with the yardage mitigated by downhill drops to several fairways and greens.



Just six of the 18 holes will play uphill on a site that ranges from 2,250 to 4,250 feet above sea level. Among the more dramatic topographical features are a 114-foot descent on the fourth hole and an uphill of climb of 74 feet on the 11th.


Mickelson, who launched Phil Mickelson Design in January of 2007, incorporates redan-style green complexes and sharply sloped fairways throughout the course. He also had a hand in designing River Rock's large practice facility.


Although River Rock is the first project of Phil Mickelson Design, Mickelson is no stranger to crafting golf courses. The Lower Course at Whisper Rock, a desert-style design in Scottsdale, Ariz., is his debut work. Opened in 2001, Whisper Rock was ranked No. 67 on Golfweek Magazine's Top 100 Modern Courses (2006).


"I thoroughly enjoyed the creative experience at Whisper Rock and I'm really excited about continuing my work in course design on a wider scale," said Mickelson, who also will be involved with the residential master plan in and around River Rock's private course. "The properties we're involved with are magnificent golf development settings and the variety of locations and terrains offers a great challenge for our team. Phil Mickelson Design is ready to create communities where people can have the time of their lives."


The River Rock clubhouse is slated to open in fall 2009 along with a unique, 22-hole instructional short course, called King's Grant, designed by Mickelson's long-time swing consultant Rick Smith.


Owned and operated by Legasus of North Carolina, LLC, River Rock is only 75 minutes from Asheville and within three hours of Charlotte, Atlanta and Knoxville.
For more information on this golf project and hundreds of others around the U.S., go to http://www.golfconstructionnews.com/.




For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around NC, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around NC, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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Lots for sale in Sapphire Lakes - Highlands North Carolina

SAPPHIRE LAKES/BURLINGAME

SEVERAL WATERFALLS RUN THROUGH THIS PROPERTY!
Enjoy Big mountain views & fishing in the Horsepasture River. Hike to nearby Rockhouse Falls, play golf in this magnificent mountain setting, dine in the superb clubhouse, explore the outdoors in nearby Gorges State Park and Panthertown Valley. Hike, bike, kayak, horseback ride, explore the boutiques and antique stores, enjoy fine cuisine and cultural events all within minutes of your mountain retreat. Sapphire Lakes is easily accessible from Atlanta and Asheville, NC.

Lot prices ranging from $60,000 to $295,000

Lot # 1A Club Drive. This is a great building lot close to the entrance. Wooded with some views. Convenient to everything. .70+/- acres offered at $60,000 •

Lot # 63B Big Pine Road. Very private “nature” lot located at the end of cul-de-sac. Gentle access with various “easy build” options on home sites.1.27+/- acres offered at $68,500 •

Lot# 10E Beaver Dam Road. Adjoins the tee box on the 16th Fairway. Very wooded with lots of Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. Flat and easy building site. Shares a common border with golf path. .85+/- acres offered at $75,000 •

Lot # 9B Upper Whitewater Road. Great building lot with easy access. Very wooded with some mountain views. .83+/- acres offered at $80,000 •

Lot # 32C Boiling Springs Road. Another great lot with good building site with possible mountain and golf course views. .81+/- acres offered at $160,000 •

Lot # 7 Pinnacle Drive. Great lot with big golf and mountain views. Easy building site and close to everything. Fronts on the driving range. .41+/- acres offered at $160,000 •

Lot # 9 Pinnacle Drive. Mountain views, golf, easy walk to all the amenities. What more do you need. .46+/- acres offered at $160,000 •

Lot # 11ER Beaver Dam Road. Easy building site with spectacular golf and mountain views. Best golf front lot for the money. .75+/- acres offered at $175,000 •

Lot # 13C Boiling Springs Road. Very nice golf and mountain view lot with privacy, gentle and great building site. Over looks 3rd Fairway. Easy access to park and to the Horse Pasture River. 1.08+/- acres offered at $215,000 •

Lot # 43FR Running Fox Road. This is it! If you’re looking for an awesome golf front lot with spectacular mountain views, pond views and easy build, and private this is the lot for you. 2.36+/- acres offered at $295,000 •

Lot # 11A Club Drive. Walk to everything. Close to all amenities. Gently laying lot with exceptional building sites. Great investment. .96+/- acres offered at $78,500 •

Lot # 2B Upper Whitewater Road. Very gentle building site with easy access. Close to all amenities. 1.02+/- acres offered at $87,500 •

If you are shopping for homes or land for sale in the Highlands, NC or Lake Glenville, NC area, call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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High Hampton Resort - Highlands, NC

High Hampton Resort

By PAULA CROUCH THRASHER- Journal Constitution

HIGHLANDS, NC — At a spry 85, High Hampton Inn & Country Club, the grande dame of Western North Carolina retreats, is feeling younger than ever. So much so, the rustic but charming stone-and-wood resort — best known for its multi-generational summer family programs — will remain open through the winter for the first time, albeit only on weekends after Thanksgiving.

And why not? Fall brings a bounty of activities, complete with glorious leaves. And winter is a special season when you'd probably hope to get snowed in as the two four-sided fireplaces blaze and hot chocolate is the drink of choice. (Although, according to locals, heavy snowfalls aren't as common as we lowlanders would like to believe.)

The 35-acre lake where children splash in summer will likely be a bit chilly in fall and especially winter (the 117-room resort with lodge rooms, cottages and cabins is perched at a 3,600-foot elevation). But there's plenty more to do to satisfy the fall adventurer.

And the views, as they say, are tremendous. "Because of our high altitude, peak leaf season starts in mid-October and continues through the first week of November. During this time, the forests are ablaze with rich reds, purples, oranges and golds," says David Jones, general manager of High Hampton.

In October, trees planted more than 100 years ago stand in their glory in front of the lodge: ginkgo, bottlebrush buckeye, bald cypress, copper beech and one of America's largest Fraser firs.

Let the leaf-peepers in their cars, vans, SUVs, RVs and motorcycles roar past fall's amazing palette of reds, golds and burgundies. You can lace up those hiking boots to roam miles of well-marked hiking trails lined with maple, black birch, sourwood, hickory, yellow poplar and dogwood trees.

Climb to the summit of Rock Mountain, at 4,370 feet (described as an easy to moderate climb, but somewhat daunting to the tender feet among us), or Chimney Top Mountain, at 4,618 feet, to view the spectacular fall foliage in the valley between Cashiers, Highlands and Whiteside Mountain.

You also can take naturalist-guided and self-guided tours of southwestern North Carolina's waterfalls that cascade over the rock faces of the Blue Ridge. Many of the falls can be easily reached by following scenic U.S. 64 east or west of High Hampton Inn.

The Horsepasture River is the source for four waterfalls in the area: Horsepasture Falls, Whitewater Falls, Drift Falls and Rainbow Falls. Whitewater Falls, which plunges 411 feet, is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. U.S. 64 meanders under Bridal Veil Falls and over Toxaway Falls.

And here's something you can't see any other time of year: the "bear shadow." During the last two weeks of October, when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain, its shadow forms the image of a black bear. (The best place for viewing is along U.S. 64 in Cashiers about an hour before dark.)

Guests should check the daily activity list posted outside the dining room, where bounteous buffets are served. Outings might include guided hikes and wildflower walks as well as golf and tennis lessons. Or stretch yourself at a yoga session or go for pampering at the Hampton Spa (where, after a grueling — for me, anyway — climb up Rock Mountain, I found the serenity of the ocean with a sea algae body treatment.)

At night, return to the cozy lodge for hot cider by the fireplace or meet friends at the tavern downstairs for something stronger. A perfect ending to a perfect autumn — or, now we can say, winter — day.

Getting there
High Hampton Inn & Country Club is at 1525 N.C. 107 South in Cashiers, N.C. From Atlanta, it's about a 2 1/2-hour drive.

About the resort : Lodging: Rates start from $274, double occupancy, including three meals daily; Thanksgiving–Dec. 22, rate is from $149, double, full breakfast only, weekends only; Dec. 23-March 15, rate is from $139, double, full breakfast only, weekends only. http://www.highhamptoninn.com./

If you are shopping for homes or land for sale in Highlands, NC Lake Glenville or Cashiers area, call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com
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Home Sales Prices are UP - Highland, N.C

Here are the latest sales figures on the Cashiers/Highlands Home Sales Market:

The Numbers:

Entire MLS Area

1/1/07 thru 9/21/07

Versus

1/1/06 thru 9/21/06

Jan 1 2006 thru September 21 2006

Number of Sales 315

Sales Volume $198,067,747

Average List Price $672,482

Average Sales Price $628,786

Average DOM 217%

of sell to list sold for 93.5% of list

Jan 1 2007 thru September 21 2007

Number of Sales 289

Sales Volume $195,290,323

Average List Price $735,360

Average Sales Price $675,745

Average DOM 225

% of sell to list sold for 91.9% of list

State of the market

Number of Sales down 8.3 %

Sales Volume down 1.4 %

Average List Price up 9.4 %

Average Sales Price up 7.5 %

Average DOM up 3.5 %

% of sell to list down 1.8 %

Source: Closed sales on Highlands/Cashiers Single family homes

If you are shopping for homes or land for sale in the Highlands, Lake Glenville or Cashiers area, call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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Homes for Sale in Highlands & Lake Glenville, North Carolina

I have included just a few home listing as well as land and lots for sale. Most land or lots are located in gated communities! Don't see what you want? We can find it for you. Just call us toll free 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an email to traci@carolinapg.com

Alpine Estates:

Built in 2007 has 3 bedroom, 3 and a half bath $300,000

Highlands

Built in 2000 has 4 bedrooms 4 and a half bath. Priced at $1,495,000

Land and Lots:

The Preserve at Eagle Crest -Lake Genville, NC - Located amongst the highest mountain's in Eastern US! Large Lots with amazing 360-degree view of the lake, Blue Ridge Parkway, Balsam Mountains, Snowbird Mountains, Whiteside Mountain and long range views into bordering states. For lot size and price call Traci toll free at 1-877-2006 x 6 or send an e mail to traci@carolinapg.com. They are offering Grand Opening specials for a limited time! Easily the most incredible views I have ever seen!

View from the pavilion at Eagle Crest

The Divide at Blald Rock - Cahsiers, NC - An equestrian community 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. community!

Five Stone Mountain View Lots in Cashiers, NC - 11 large view lots in gated community with sweeping mountain views.

Bear Lake Reserve - Located near Highlands, NC at 44 Slippery Rock Drive, Tuckasegge, NC in a gated Resort Community on Bear Lake.

Clubhouse at Bear Lake

If you are shopping for home or land in The Highlands, Lake Glenville or Cashier NC, call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com and I will send you information or brochures on homes and land for sale!

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Market Statistics - Highlands, NC

HIGHWAY 64 rises on the one-hour drive from Asheville, N.C., to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau (including Lake Glenville) the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The 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.

Sun rise in Highlands, NC

The Scene - Highlands is 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.

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 a dry county, 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.

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.

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.

For more Highlands, NC area or homes and land for sale, please contact Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or via e mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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The Preserve at Eagle Crest - Highlands/Lake Glenville, NC

View from the Pavilion - The Preserve at Eagle Crest Development

The Preserve at Eagle Crest is a 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 is 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.

Entrance to Eagle Crest

The 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 Carriage House/Fitness Center

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.


For more information regarding Real Estate, Lots and Land for sale in the Highlands, Cashier, Lake Glenville Area, Call Traci at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or e mail me traci@carolinapg.com

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The Log & Timber Home Show - Atlanta, Ga

Carolina Plateau Group of Cashiers, NC will be representing two home developments at the upcoming Log & Timber Home Show in Atlanta, GA Sept 21st-23rd

If you haven't found the perfect lot to build your dream Log & Timber Frame Home, you will want to check out these land developments.

The two developments being offered are located in the high elevation areas of Western North Carolina. The Preserve at Eagle Crest, above Lake Glenville with long range views of the Balsam Mountains, and The Divide at Bald Rock in the Cashiers, NC area with long range mountain views of Chimney Top, Whiteside Mountain and the Panthertown National Forest.

We will have information on various areas in the mountains including maps and local magazines.

There will be special incentives and pricing. Lots range in size from 1 to over 4 acres and start in the 170's up to 600K.

If you plan on attending the show please email us. We have a limited number of free passes for visitors who visit our booth.

Visit http://www.thelogandtimberhomeshow.com/ for more information and directions to the shows.

Hope to see you there!

For more information about the Log & Timber show, please contact Traci toll free 1-888-277-2006 X 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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North Carolina is Number One State For Relocation

Every year, United Van Lines generates a press release about their annual migration study. Its a fun read, but hardly scientific. The report measures inbound and outbound relocation in each state. In other words, how many of their clients are moving into or out of a particular state.

A strong mobility pattern continued in 2006 as many Americans packed up their belongings and headed to the West and Southeast parts of the country, while the Central Northeast region of the country experienced an increase in residents departing. The statistics are among the findings of United Van Line’s 30th annual “migration” study that tracks where its customers, over the last 12 months, moved from and the most popular destinations.

United classifies each state in one of three categories -- “high inbound” (55% or more of moves going into a state); “high outbound” (55% or more of moves coming out of a state); or “balanced.” Although the majority of states were in the “balanced” category last year, several showed more substantial population shifts.

MOVING IN

Known for hospitality and gracious style, the Southeast states welcomed many new residents in 2006, with North Carolina coming in as the top destination (64.0% inbound). South Carolina (60.6%) continued its 13-year inbound tradition, while Alabama (57.5%) experienced its fourth year as a high-inbound location. Although Tennessee saw less people move in this year (55.8% in 2006; 58.0% in 2005), it still captured a spot on the high-inbound list.

Outbound leaders

The midwest is struggling with weakening economic conditions from serious problems with the auto industry.Michigan leads the pack with 66% outbound traffic.New York is second with 59.5% outbound traffic. Upstate New York is still struggling economically and largely missed the housing boom like the New York City region did.

For more information regarding Relocation to North Carolina, Real Estate, and Lots for sale e mail Traci at huntforhouses@yahoo.com or call 678-575-6735

Waterfalls Of Western North Carolina - Highlands, NC Area

WATERFALLS OF HIGHLANDS, NC

Bridal Veil Falls

WATERFALLS:

Bridal Veil Falls: This fall cascades over US 64/28 3 miles from town. Cars drive under the 120 ft. waterfall.

Bust Your Butt Falls: Approx. 7 miles west of Highlands

Cullasaja Falls: On Hwy.64 / 9 miles from town, it is one of the most Picturesque falls in North Carolina. It is a 250 ft cascade.

Dry Falls On US 64/28, 4 miles from Highlands. A pleasant walk from the highway, the path goes behind the 75 ft. waterfall.

Glen Falls: Located off a dirt road 3 miles south of Highlands on 106S. The turn-off is marked by a U.S.F.S. sign. Glen Falls is composed of a series of 3 large falls dropping approximately 60ft. each on the east fork of Overflow Creek in the Blue Valley area. The one-mile foot trail down to the falls is steep.

Kalakaleskies: Located off US 64/28 west, 2.5 miles northwest of Highlands on the Cullasaja River. The Sequoyah Dam is at the head of the falls. There are 18 small falls within a quarter mile paralleling US 64/28.
Lower Satulah Falls - Clear Creek Falls - A high narrow waterfall visible from the overlook approximately 2 1/2 miles from Highlands Main St. PICTURES / MAP LOCATION

Silver Run Falls: From Cashiers Hwy. 64 to Hwy. 107 south, 4.1 Miles

Whitewater Falls: Aprox. 20 miles from Highlands, these falls are the highest in the eastern US at 411 ft. A pleasant 45 minute drive, many visitors enjoy driving through Horse Cove and crossing over the Chattooga River on their way to Whitewater.

Ammons Creek Falls: Accessed from the Holcomb Creek Trail

Holcomb Creek Falls: Accessed from the Holcomb Creek Trail

Do you have a photograph of your favorite waterfall? Send it to me at huntforhouses@yahoo.com and I will add it to this site.

Eagle Crest

Luxury living and world-class views in a North Carolina mountain paradise.
The view from the open-air pavilion is like eternity – a gentle sea of pale-blue mountains rippling as far as the eye can see. Edged by a freshwater lake, creeks and waterfalls, it is the view of dreams and possibility.

In a pristine corner of Western North Carolina, The Preserve at Eagle Crest nestles among sky and pine trees at 4,000 feet. Around it, the southern crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains rise to 5,000 feet.

The Preserve at Eagle Crest offers 46 home sites in a beautiful, highly natural setting that embodies the essence of North Carolina real estate. Prices range from $175,000 to $600,000 for approximately two-acre wooded home sites, which boast inspiring mountain views. Six smaller lots are earmarked for mountain cottages and range in size from one-half to one acre. They also feature exceptional views and are situated close to community amenities.

Just minutes from Cashiers and Highlands, the 81-acre Preserve at Eagle Crest overlooks Lake Glenville, which has long lured vacationers who love boating, water skiing, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Hiking trails invite nature watching; nearby equestrian trails provide hours of riding in some of the most unforgettable mountainous countryside in America.
The serenity of location gives the soul a place to unwind, families a place to re-connect. Long range views also encompass a layered vista of the Smoky Mountains, the Balsam Mountains and Snow and Whiteside mountains.
For many buyers, The Preserve at Eagle Crest will offer a haven for a second home, a place to retreat in the summers where daytime temperatures linger in the mid-70s and the clean mountain air smells like balsam and pine. Nights are cool enough for campfires, a light sweater and open-window sleeping.
The community’s real estate planners were mindful of amenities that make for a desirable place to live: A heated Infinity pool will overlook mountains, lake and trees; a community indoor-outdoor pavilion offers a fireplace, outdoor stone deck, seating for parties and 360-degree panoramic views of the majestic surroundings.
The community will also feature concierge service, library, a fitness center; sauna room; state-of-the art technology access; a secure, key-pad gated entrance; access to Lake Glenville and a guest-house to accommodate visitors and owners.

A $5,000, fully refundable deposit secures a home-site, and a 20-percent discount will be given to the first 15 lots sold.
With three builders to chose from who must follow community real estate design guidelines and a 1,500-square-foot minimum home-size, the end result will be a place of beauty nestled high in the mountains of North Carolina.
Purchase now, build later. There are no restrictions on the time-frame to build.
Think about it. Dream about it.
The mountains call.
And The Preserve at Eagle Crest awaits.
For more information, please contact Traci Morrealae-Strub, Marketing Manager for The Carolina Plateau Group Toll Free at (888) 277-2006 x 6
For more information, please contact Traci via e mail at huntforhouses@yahoo.com or call 1-888-277-2006 X 6
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Golfing Greats Building in WNC - Highlands, NC

CITIZEN-TIMES.com

Golfing greats building in WNCBy Keith

ASHEVILLE — Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Phil Mickelson and Tom Kite.
A dream foursome? A collection of golfing greats? A reunion of major championship winners? Yes to all of the above, but that quartet of links legends — along with famed architect Tom Fazio — also are designing new golf course developments in Western North Carolina.

And perhaps you can now add the most famous name in golf and perhaps in all of sports - Tiger Woods, who according to published reports is going to design a course at The Cliffs at High Carolina in Fairview.

In an area already covered with quality mountain golf at more than 50 courses, a suddenly booming market includes some of the greatest names in the game and nearly a dozen projects either recently completed, under construction or in the planning process.

“This is a beautiful area of the country with incredible scenery,” said Nicklaus, who has two highly regarded WNC courses open (The Cliffs at Walnut Cove just south of Asheville and Elk River in Banner Elk) and is currently working on Bear Lake Reserve in Cashiers and Queens Gap near Lake Lure.

“When you get this kind of land that is just so natural for a golf course, your chief mission is to just not mess it up,” said Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 major championships. Woods is currently working on his first course in Dubai; High Carolina would be his first U.S. design.

The legendary Palmer built his first WNC course — Cullasaja Club in Highlands — about 20 years ago, but is now entrenched in this area.

The scenic Balsam Mountain Preserve near Waynesville opened for play this summer, and work has begun on White Oak in Polk County and Seven Falls Golf & River Club in Etowah, which will feature a 60-foot waterfall and gorgeous rolling farmland.

Fazio so fell in love with this area while designing Wade Hampton CC in Cashiers in the 1980s that he made his home in Hendersonville.

He is the architect of such highly acclaimed local layouts as Champion Hills Country Club in Hendersonville, Diamond Creek in the Linville area and the recently opened Mountaintop in Cashiers.

Fazio also recently unveiled the first 18 holes at Bright’s Creek in Polk County. Another 36 holes are planned on the 4,000-acre property near Mill Spring.

Mickelson’s first foray into golf course design is River Rock Golf Club, part of a 3,500-acre development planned near Lake Glenville in Cashiers. Plans also include a nine-hole course (King’s Grant) designed by noted golf coach Rick Smith.

Kite is designing Ginn Laurelmor, scheduled to open in 2009, on 6,000 acres between Boone and Blowing Rock.

“We think this is a great market for golf,” Palmer said during a recent visit to Seven Falls. “People are flocking to this area because it is such a wonderful place to live, and we want to give them some great golf courses to play.”

For more information, please contact Traci at 1-888-277-2006 X 6 or email huntforhouses@yahoo.com

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BUILING A LOG & TIMBER HOME - HIGHLANDS, NC

Log and Timber Home Magazine.

Great Magazine if you are looking to build a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina and need some ideas of designs.

They have 3 different magazines

Log HomeDesign

Log Home Living

Timber Home Living

You can search all three magazines on their website at one time, which I especially thought was handy if you are looking for something specific.

Here's a poll they took from their readers on essentials for building a log home.

“Front porches—log home essential or a feature that’s had its day in the sun?”

A feature that neither helps or hurts the log home look?

15.6%

A fad that’s past its prime?

1.1%

An absolute essential

83.3%

In planning your log home’s budget, what room is the number one priority?

Outdoor living space - 5.1%

Master bedroom - 13.1%

Great room - 50.5%

Kitchen - 31.3%

What type of roofing looks best on a timber frame home?

Wood (shake) shingles 21.2%

Metal roofing 57.6%

Asphalt or fiberglass shingles 9.1%

Slate 12.1%

What wood is best for building?

Cedar - 48.5%

Pine - 21.6%

Oak - 29.9%

What is the ideal square footage for a log home?

2,501-3,500 sq. ft - 28.9%1,

501-2,500 sq. ft - 54.1%

Under 1,500 sq. ft - 9.3%

3,501 + sq. ft - 7.7%

Would you like more information on land or building a log cabin? Call me toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or e mail me at huntforhouses@yahoo.com

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Search NORTH CAROLINA MLS

Now you can search for homes or land for sale in Western North Carolina! Just click here. You will be redirected to the MLS search engine. Enter your search criteria to get photos and information on the property you are searching for! Find soemthing you like? Give me toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 for more information.

Thanks for making this web site one of the top ten sites in Highlands!

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Traci's Take - Highlands, NC

Heres a few thoughts on Highlands and Cashiers, NC.

For the love of the mountains!
I’m a beach baby. I was born and raised beside the beach. The sun, the sand, the salt air have always been my greatest love. Now living in North Atlanta (6 hours away from the closest beach), every chance I get, I go to the beach. You name an island, I have most likely been there.
Imagine my surprise when my best friend, also a beach baby, decided to defect from the shorelines of Florida to the mountains of North Carolina. “Why in the world would you do that” I asked. As she recounted a recent visit to Cashiers, NC., I sat with my mind reeling: move?....from the beach?...why? Needless to say I didn't hear a word she said!
In December 06, I started visiting my defector beach baby friend. The first few visits did not impress me. All I could see was a bunch of trees with no leaves on them. Ooookay, and why did you move here? Of course I kept my opinion to myself as not to discourage her big decision to uproot herself from the beaches of Florida.
My visits to the Highlands & Cashiers, NC became more and more frequent. As winter turned to spring, the landscape transformed from sickly sad leafless trees to an intense green wonderland! Hmmm, this is kind of nice! The trees, the flowers, the birds, its all so calming!
When I get to Highlands and Cashiers, I become more relaxed, time slows down for me. What a great thing to escape to the mountains; escape from my everyday hectic life in Atlanta! No longer was I fighting it, in fact, I am embracing the deep urging in my soul to be one with the nature and beauty of the North Carolina Mountains.
Now I am in The Highlands/Cashiers area about two weeks of the month. I joined The Carolina Plateau Group in Cashiers, North Carolina. I am the Marketing Manger for the Atlanta Area. We currently have 40 lots for sale at The Preserve at Eagle Crest. You should see it! 360 degree views of the mountains or Lake Glenville. This works out great for me! I get to be in The Carolina's as often as I want without abandoning my current clients in Atlanta!
Just last week I was at my “home in the mountains”. My beach baby friend and I went horse back riding at Arrowmont. With the help of the horses, we went up a steep ridge to yet another breath taking view! The cool air blowing through my hair, the stillness of nature, that’s what I come here for.

Unfortunately I needed to get back to Atlanta a little to soon for my liking, so the next morning I was up early loading my car and trying to push away the anxiety of going back to the city. I once again noticed the kiss of the cool breeze on my skin. It was a wonderful 72 degree’s. It’s like heaven here. Of course, I search for any excuse to get out of going to the city, I just want to stay a few days longer. I force myself into the car almost weeping (okay, I’m exaggerating a bit). As I descend from heaven, I get a kick out of watching the thermostat rise. Mind you this isn’t a good kick. Anyway, I watch the mercury climb to an oppressive 92 degrees. But wait, the worst is yet to come. The very next day, the temperature in North Atlanta rose to 99 degrees. The day after that???? 102 degree’s. Get this, it was still 90 degrees at 10 pm!! The air quality is so dangerously high that the meteorologist urges us, the viewers, to remain inside from 11 am to 9 pm. All outside school activities have been cancelled; parents are urged to drive their children to school seeing there is no air conditioning on the buses!
All I can say about this is I CANT STAND IT ANYMORE….. I’m heading back to Highlands, North Carolina.

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Homes For Sale - Highlands, NC mountains

LET ME HELP YOU FIND YOUR DREAM HOME!

Are the mountain's calling you? The Highlands, Lake Glenville or Cashiers, NC, now that's the stuff dreams are made of!

If you’re interested in a new home, a second home or land - all with the most breath taking views around - The Carolina Plateau Group is here to find exactly what you're dreaming of. All you have to do is decide between a golf course, mountain or lake view!


Tell me what kind of home/land you are looking for and I will send you the information and photos! It’s that easy! Call Traci at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or e mail me at huntforhouses@yahoo.com

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SEARCHING FOR PROPERTY IN THE HIGHLANDS NC AREA?

You will have access to every home or property listed for sale in the state of North Carolina.
You will be able to search by town, home size, lot size as well as proximity to water falls, mountains or hiking trails.
This service is free and will be available as of August 9th!
Need info now? E mail me: huntforhouses@yahoo.com or call me Toll Free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 I will take your information and e mail you the listings or any information you need!

MACON SCHOOL CALENDAR - HIGHLANDS N.C.

Macon County School Schedule FOR 2007-2008:

Franklin Highschool
Nantahala
Highlands K12 School
South Macon Elementary
East Macon Elementary
Macon Middle School
Early College Highschool
Nantahala K-12 School
Cowee Elementary
Iotal Elementary
Cartoogechaye Elementary

Click here: http://www.mcsk-12.org/

Highland NC Events

Friday, August 3 - Gien Trunk Show Acorns the shops at Old Edwards Inn presents Gien Trunk Show. Rich and refined tableware in traditional to modern styles-since 1821. For more information call 828-787-1877 LOCATIONSaturday,

August 4 - Historic Homes Tour Highlands Historical Society will host a "Historic Homes Tour" 10:00am-4:00pm Call: 828-787-1050

August 23rd - Old Edwards Inn & The Farm "Wine Dinners"Caymus VineyardsNapa Valley, CaliforniaWine master Chuck Wagner, who started making wine on the property in 1972, runs Caymus Vineyards. Today their Cabernet Sauvignon is the winery's claim to fame, but their modest production also includes very fine Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. Thursday, August 23, 2007 ~ 6:00PM

Saturday, September 1 - Village Square Arts & Craft Show Featuring local artisans. 10:00am-5:00pm.Location

Sunday, September 9 - Bel Canto 15th anniversary Opera Recital will be held at the Performing Arts Center beginning at 4:00 Admission is $150.00 per person which includes Buffet dinner at the Highlands Falls Country Club. Proceeds will go to the Bascom Louise permanent collection and the Highlands School Music Program. Location

Friday, September 28 - Highlands Playhouse Antique Show Highlands Playhouse Antique Show held at Sapphire Community Center, September 28,29,30. Call: 828-526-2695 or 828-526-9443.

October 8 2007 - Peggy Crosby Center Golf Classic

The Old Edwards Hospitality Group is pleased to announce that they have partnered with Mountaintop Golf and Lake Club to be presenting sponsors for the 2007 Peggy Crosby Center Golf Classic. The tournament will be held on at the prestigious Mountaintop Golf Course. Men's and ladies teams are invited to compete and the cost per player will be $250. Proceeds will benefit the Peggy Crosby Center & its mission to provide essential programs & services to the Highlands community. For additional information about the Golf Classic, sponsorship or reservations, please call the Peggy Crosby Center at 828-526-9938 x110

October 18, 2007 - Steele/Shooting Star VineyardsLake County, California Now entering his fifth decade in the California wine business, Jed Steele made the decision in 1991 to put his winemaking skills and philosophy into his own label. Jed produces a wide array of individual wines, many in very small quantities, including some single vineyard bottlings. The majority of Steele's production is in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Pinot Blanc.Thursday, October 18, 2007 ~ 6:00PM

Thanks to Highlands Newspaper

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HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA

Highlands is an incorporated town located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian mountains, within the Nantahala National Forest, in Macon County, North Carolina (a small annexed portion also being in neighboring Jackson County). As of the 2000 census, the town had a year-round population of 909, but the population swells to 10,000-15,000 during the season from spring to fall.

The town was founded in 1875 by Samuel Truman Kelsey and Clinton Carter Hutchinson who, supposedly, drew lines from Chicago, Illinois to Savannah and from New Orleans to Baltimore. They felt that the intersection of these two lines, would eventually become a great trading center and commercial crossroads.

In the 1930s the town became a golfing mecca when Bobby Jones of Atlanta and some of his well-heeled golfing buddies founded the Highlands Country Club. Today that club is one of seven successful residential country club communities situated between Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina.

Cool Summer Climate & Resulting TourismWelcome Sign.Tourism in Highlands is mostly seasonal (generally March through November), with the community drawing Southerners from the oppressive heat and humidity of their flat-land Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana summers. The average daily high temperature in July (Highlands's hottest month of the year) is 78 degrees, and the July average overnight low is 57 degrees.

Highlands owes its cooler weather to the fact that it straddles the Eastern Continental Divide, giving it a much higher elevation above mean sea level at just over 4100ft. Because of this, it also receives quite a bit of precipitation (averaging nearly 90 inches a year), mainly as rain but also a few snows scattered throughout the winter.

The town is dotted with many antique dealers, a well-known auction house, restaurants (six of which have received awards from Wine Spectator), shops, inns, as well as several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. There are four theaters: The Highlands Playhouse [2] (founded in 1938), the Instant Theatre Company [3] (founded in 1981), the Highlands Community Players [4] (founded in 1995), and the Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts Center [5], which hosts touring groups.

Hiking
Many people love to experience the spectacular trails that Highlands has to offer. As Highlands is in such a mountainous area, there are many ideal places to hike. With Highlands being home to various waterfalls, many hiking trails lead to a waterfall; Glen Falls is an example, with its beautiful scenery alongside the roaring falls.


The town's official elevation is 4118 feet, making it the highest altitude as well as the coolest (during the summer months) of all towns in the southern United States. The annual rainfall approaches 90 inches due to the orographic lifting effect of storms coming from the lower elevations to the west. This rainfall and, counterintuitively, the abundant sunshine, create a lush and verdant microclimate which delights botanists.

Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 909 people, 445 households, and 253 families residing in the community. The population density was 57.9/km² (150.0/mi²). There were 1,713 housing units at an average density of 109.1/km² (282.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the community was 98.46% White, 0.11% Asian, 0.88% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.97% of the population.

For information on Real Estate, Land, and Homesites in the area, e mail huntforhouses@yahoo.com or you can call Traci 678-575-6735

What is an Appraisal? Highlands, NC

What is an Appraisal?
Bonnie Rose

What is an Appraisal? An appraisal is an independent, unbiased opinion of value that often serves as a cornerstone in a transaction. Professional appraisers
value property with independence and objectivity.

It may surprise you to learn that anyone can call themselves an appraiser. There is no licensing for personal property appraisers at this point in time, so if you need an appraisal, it is your responsibility to determine if the appraiser is qualified.

There are two types of property: real property and personal property. Real property includes real estate, land, buildings. Tangible personal property includes moveable items, such as furniture, antiques, collectibles, pots and pans. This article deals strictly with appraisers of personal property.

What’s “it” worth” That all depends. Is the purpose of knowing the value for insurance -coverage or claim? Liquidation, sale, or resale? Equitable division of property - divorce or distribution of an estate? IRS obligation - probate and estate tax, or charitable contribution ? The “value” of an item may differ depending on the “function” of the appraisal and the “market” used to determine the value. A knowledgeable appraiser should be able to explain these differences to you.

Values change over time, so updated appraisals are essential. Tax issues, estate planning, legal settlements and insurance contracts often require a current, formal appraisal. And, a current appraisal is essential for adequate insurance coverage or negotiations.

Whenever there’s a question about the value of your personal property, there’s also a risk involved. Examples of risk might be:

Selling too low
Paying too much
Being under or over insured
Not getting your fair share in a division of property
The risk of incurring tax penalties or being audited when claiming a deduction for charitable contribution or when calculating estate taxes.

Ask the appraisers you are considering hiring if they specialize in the types of items you want appraised. Just as you wouldn’t visit a podiatrist for a heart problem, don’t engage a coin appraiser to value an 18th century chair. If you have a large number of various household goods, you might seek a generalist appraiser who will contact experts in certain fields, should the need arise.

Check the qualifications of the appraisers by asking if they have had any formal education in appraisal theory, principles, procedures, and ethics. Training is not yet required of any appraiser, but those who have taken classes and have passed the tests show that they are interested in their profession and in seeking competence.

Confirm that the cost of the appraisal will be based on an hourly rate, a flat rate, or a per item rate, plus expenses, where appropriate. It is not ethical for appraisers to charge based on a percentage of value or on contingency.

Make sure that you receive a typed or computer printed (not handwritten) and signed report that the appraiser will defend in court, if necessary. The report should include any limiting or qualifying conditions; the appraiser’s qualifications; a statement that the appraiser has no financial interest in the property; a complete and accurate description of the property; the methodology used; the market analysis and markets selected; and a defined value.

Inquire about the appraiser’s membership in any appraisal organizations. Active participation shows involvement with the profession, peer recognition, access to updated information, and requirement to adhere to a code of ethics.

To be assured that your appraisal report conforms to today’s generally accepted appraisal standard, retain an appraiser who is accredited or certified. There is a difference!

Events Calendar for Highlands, NC

August
*Biltmore Estate Summer Concert Series www.biltmore.com/plan/calendar/calendar_summer.shtml, Asheville, NC, World-class musical acts accompanied by a terrific view.

*Sourwood Festival - www.blackmountain.org/festivals Black Mountain, North Carolina Music, food, and Sourwood Blossoms every August!

*Mountain Dance and Folk Festival – http://www.folkheritage.org/. Founded to share the beauty of Southern Appalachian dance traditions handed down through the generations.

*Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair – www.yanceychamber.com/craftfair. The Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair is the oldest and largest crafts fair in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

*North Carolina Apple Festival http://www.historichendersonville.org/. Hendersonville, NC


September
*Organicfest – http://www.organicfest.org/ Asheville, NC

*Flat Rock Music Festival – http://www.flatrockmusicfestival.com/ Flat Rock, NC

*Taste of Asheville – www.airasheville.org/taste-of-asheville/event-schedule

*Art in Autumn – http://visitweaverville.com/events.htm Weaverville, NC

*Smoky Mountain Folk Festival – www.smokymountainfolkfestival.com/, Lake Junaluska, NC Featuring two nights of the finest traditional Southern Appalachian music and dance every Labor Day Weekend.at this festival.



October
*John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival – www.folkschool.org/event.php - Brasstown, NC, One of the biggest festivals in the region, offers crafts, dance and music to celebrate Appalachian heritage.

*Oktoberfest – www.smokeymountainarea.com/event, Asheville, NC German music, food, games, Karaoke, arts & crafts, and contests and games for kids.

* Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands – http://www.southernhighlandguild.org/event Asheville, NC. The Craft Fair is an event where connoisseurs and novices alike come to craft a collection, connect with tradition, and invest in regional culture.


November
*Asheville Film Festival – http://www.ashevillefilmfestival.com/ Asheville, NC. Showcasing a wider range of films including film competition.

*Foothills Highland Games and Festival http://www.historichendersonville.org/ Hendersonville, NC Celtic music, dancers, sword fights, contests, food & beverages, parade of tartans, dog performances.

Hiking Trails - Highlands, NC

HikingTrails :

Bartram Trail: Offers many short or long hikes to spectacular vistas, such as Scaly Mt., Jones Knob, and Whiterock Mt. Maps can be obtained from the U.S.F.S. - See Rabun Bald Area Below & Wayah Observation Tower
Note: Appalachian Trail Hikers Can Reach Highlands, N.C. By Hiking The Bartram Trail Accessed @ Wayah Bald

Bartram & Chattooga River Trail Access From S.C. & GA. Border, Hwy. 28
Points of Interest Before The Bartram & Chattooga River Trail On Hwy. 28
Bartram Trail - Osage Overlook Access - Hwy. 106s Highlands, N.C.
Rabun Bald Area Peak 4,696 - Summit has observation tower.
Scaly Mountain: 3.2.miles (round trip). Trail head: Hickory Gap Road (SR 1621). Features: Impressive views from summit of Scaly Mt. (4804') looking towards GA.
Chinquapin Mountain: 3.2 miles (round trip). Trail head: Glen Falls parking area. Features: Numerous stream crossings and several views from Chinquapin Mt. (4,160') into Blue Valley at vistas along the trail. Access also available off of NC106 approximately 3 miles from Highlands.
Sunset Rocks: 1.2 miles (round trip). Trail head: Horse Cove Rd., across from the Highlands Nature Center. Features: A rock outcropping overlooking Highlands and Horse Cove; trees marked and identified as part of the Town of Highlands "Highlands Trees" project.
Satulah Mountain Summit:
Yellow Mountain - Shortoff MT: 3 miles (round trip) to Shortoff Mt., 9.6 miles (round trip) to Yellow Mt. trail head: Cole Gap on Buck Creek Rd. Features: A short easy hike to a view of Buck Creek area; Shortoff Mt. has views to the south; Yellow Mt. has views in all directions. The trail to Yellow Mt. is a difficult trail, traversing three of the area's scenic mountains, with many steep ascents and descents. Located off Buck Creek Rd.
Whiteside Mountain: 2 miles (round trip). Trail Head: Whiteside Mt. parking area. Features: This moderate loop trail offers spectacular views from a high ridge top, 2,100' above the valley floor. Whiteside Mt. (4900') has the highest sheer cliffs in the Eastern US (400 - 750').
Cliffside Lake Recreation Area: There are numerous hiking trails in this area, including an interpretive loop trail describing shrubs and trees along the Cliffside Vista Trail. The half-mile loop around the lake offers hikers an easy walk that is quite level.
Cliffside Vista Trail accessed from the road before entering the parking area.
Ellicott's Rock - Bad Creek Trails: 7 miles each (round trip) Trail Head: Bull Pen Rd. Features: Ellicott's Rock is a rock embedded in the Chattooga River bank bearing the letters NC, carved by surveyor Andrew Ellicott.
Horse Cove Poplar Tree: 100 yards from the Trail Head off Rich Gap Rd. Features: Large yellow tulip popular, the second largest tree in the state and third largest in the East.
Whitewater Falls Trail: 1/2 mile (round trip). Trail head Whitewater Falls parking lot. Featuring Whitewater Falls the highest in the eastern U.S., 411 feet and is an easy walk on the paved trail.
Glen Falls: 1.4 miles (one way; 15 min. to first falls). Trail head: Glen Falls parking lot. Trail end: Forest Service Rd. (79C) in Blue Valley. Features: Three cascading waterfalls and a beautiful stream. One of the advantages of this trail is that you can return after seeing the first or second waterfall, and still have an enjoyable walk.
Chattooga Loop Trail: 2 miles (round trip). Trail head: Horse Cove Rd. Features: A pleasant walk through the woods and then along the river, ending with a spectacular view of rock formations from the Bull Pen Bridge, known as "The Iron Bridge."
Wayah Bald - Where the Appalachian Trail & Bartram Trail Cross - Approximately 35 Miles West of Highlands - A Nice Day Trip
Notice: This is information only. To ensure an enjoyable hike, we strongly recommend you contact the US Forest Service at (828) 526-3765 or visit their office. They have additional information, maps and brochures. Please use caution; although these trails, waterfalls, and scenic areas are beautiful to see, they can be very dangerous.

Highlands, NC Golf Courses

North Carolina Golf Courses in The Highlands, NC

Below is our comprehensive list of golf courses in the Highlands area. Award-winning golf courses are noted with a Golf Link logo ball. Click on the course name to view more information on the course, including the awards won.


Highlands Golf Courses


Highlands Cove Golf Course, Highlands Cove Course 18 holes over 6,587 yards with a par of 72 (Public) 688 Highland Cove

Wade Cliffs Country Club, Wildcat Cliffs Course 18 holes over 6,493 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity) 770 Country Club Dr Highlands, NC 28741-7333(828) 526-2164

Cullasaja Club, Cullasaja Course 18 holes over 6,651 yards with a par of 72 (Private Equity) 1371 Cullasaja Club Dr Highlands, NC 28741-9698(828) 526-3531

Highlands Falls Country Club, Highland Falls Course 18 holes over 6,130 yards with a par of 70 (Private Equity) Highway 64 East Highlands, NC 28741(828) 526-4118.

Highlands Country Club, Highlands Course 18 holes over 6,255 yards with a par of 70 (Private Equity) Highway 106, Dillard Road Highlands, NC 28741(828) 526-2181



If you are looking for Golf Course Lots, Real Estate, and Lots for sale while you are in town call 678-575-6735 or send an email for more information huntforhouses@yahoo.com

National Parks - North Carolina

Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

This little-known cousin to Great Smoky's famous Cades Cove was one of the region's most thriving communities a century ago, counting 1,200 residents in 1910. Today, though, it draws no crowds to its historic buildings, rolling orchards, meadows or forests. It does, however, attract elk, wild turkeys and black bear.

You must negotiate a winding, 11-mile gravel road near Dellwood, N.C., to reach Cataloochee, nestled near the park's eastern border. Make the journey, though, and this road will carry you back into a 19th- and early-20th-century landscape rimmed by 6,000-foot mountains and enclosing some of the park's best examples of historic frame buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Palmer House, a vintage "dog trot" construction, features two log cabins (that later were planked over) tied together by a covered porch popular with dogs on long, hot summer days. Today, the house doubles as a museum of the valley and offers a video that provides an interesting oral history recorded by descendants of the valley's settlers.

Elsewhere in the valley you can find the Palmer Chapel, the Caldwell House that is sandwiched by two covered porches and the Beech Grove Schoolhouse, a two-room structure built in 1901.

There are 27 sites at the Cataloochee Campground, where you can find respectable trout fishing in Cataloohchee Creek.

For a roof overhead at night, check out the Abbey Inn (http://www.abbeyinn.com/, 1-800-545-5853) in nearby Maggie Valley, N.C., or head over to Cherokee, N.C. (http://www.cherokeesmokies.com/.1-877-433-6700) with its many options

Highlands Cove Golf Club

CITIZEN-TIMES.com

Highlands Cove Golf Club

Each week the Citizen-Times will profile a Western North Carolina course that provides a true test and is fun to play.

Location: 688 Highlands Cove Road off U.S. 64 West in Cashiers, about 70 minutes from Asheville.



Status: Public.
Phone: 828-526-8044.
Tee times: Required.



Practice area: Full-service range with putting green and chipping green.

Fees: $100, $85 for age $65 and older, $44 for 17 and younger; $66 sundown rate in season 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.



Food/drink: Beverage cart, Peregrine at the Cove restaurant 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.



Playability: Incredible views and quality golf are the highlights of this Tom Jackson design. Two very distinctively different nines share some common traits - the beauty of the natural shrubbery and majestic views of the Great Smoky Mountains along with some incredible rock work by local craftsmen.
The Highlands nine opens play and features those stunning views and some severe but playable mountain holes. Hit it straight, or you'll lose your golf ball down the ridge. This problem comes into play more than once, but there are several holes you will long remember.



The Cove nine is flatter and more traditional and ranks among the best nines around. The par-4 second includes a tree-lined fairway and approach shot to an island green tucked back into a cove and is a great hole.



The par-5 sixth hole is perfectly routed and includes a sheer rock wall in the middle of the fairway, forcing players from some tees to either lay up or go long with a carry of more than 200 yards.



The price tag is hefty but worth it for all who want to experience mountain golf in a peaceful and beautiful setting.




For more information regarding Real Estate, and Lots for sale e mail huntforhouses@yahoo.com or call 678-575-6735

Lodging Rates at Old Edwards Inn

Leaf Watching? Hiking? Boating or just relaxing.... Old Edwards Inn is a wonderful step back in time, but with modern day luxury!

Rates:
Tariffs vary by season (high season is Memorial Day through Labor Day, the month of October, and holidays). Inn rooms, $215-$295; inn suites, $255-$375; spa suites, $535-$595; luxury suite, $750-$850; cottages, $1,625-$1,800; and Farm House, $850-$1,250.

Dining:
Breakfast (for guests only), house breakfast, free; a la carte selections, $6-$16. Lunch, $11-$16. Dinner, first courses, $12-$18; entrees, $26-$38; cheese course, $7-$8; dessert, $8-$10. Wine garden, $5-$13.•

Spa:
Open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Skin care, $60-$180; body care, $65-$250; Carolina Cocoons, $125; massage, $90-$155 ($250 for two); spa packages, $180-$540. Nail and hair care, waxing and makeup available.•

Information: 1-866-526-8008, Web site.

History of Old Edwards Inn - Highlands, NC

Listed in Forbes Magazine as one of the TOP 50 Ritzy Weekend Retreats

by Shivani Vora

Once-homey N.C. inn becomes luxury spa resort By PAULA CROUCH THRASHERThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

HIGHLANDS, N.C. — At first glance, the three-story red brick and rock Old Edwards Inn on the corner of Main and Fourth streets appears much the same as it did when it opened in 1935 as the Hotel Edwards.
But look closer: The landmark inn in this popular Western North Carolina mountain resort town has emerged from an extreme makeover.

• Getting there:

Highlands, N.C., is about a 130-mile drive from Atlanta. Take I-85 north to I-985, then continue as the highway changes to Ga. 365 and U.S. 441. After driving through Dillard, turn right on Ga. 246, which becomes N.C. 106 after it crosses the state line. Turn right at the light on U.S. 64/N.C. 28 and proceed to Fourth Street. The Old Edwards Inn and Spa will be on the right at 445 Main St.

• A LODGING LANDMARK - A brief history of the Central House and Old Edwards Inn:

1878: Central House, Highlands' earliest boardinghouse, was built on property purchased by John Norton.

1888: David Norton purchased the property, and for the next 17 years, Norton and his wife, Martha "Mattie" Adams, better known as Uncle Dave and Aunt Mat, managed Central House.

1893: Norton established the post office in the granite store on the property, also known as the Stone Store House and, later, the Rock Store.

1905: Norton sold both the Central House and the Stone Store House to "Uncle Billy" Potts, whose wife, Martha "Mattie" Ammons, took in boarders.

1913: Uncle Billy sold Central House to the town's police chief, J. Grover "Diamond Joe" Edwards and his wife, Minnie Zoellner Edwards.

1925: Minnie hired Will Cleaveland to build a two-story addition to Central House and raise two dormers in the roof of the main building.

1934: Minnie hired Wilton Cobb, a local builder and owner of the hardware store across the street, to build a three-story hotel on the site of the old Rock Store. Keeping the store as its foundation and lobby, architect Linton Young designed the brick and stone structure.

1935: The Hotel Edwards opened. Minnie ran the Edwards as well as the Central House.

1950: With Minnie's health and eyesight failing, the inn was leased to a string of management teams but closed in the mid-'60s.

1982: Rip and Pat Benton of St. Simons Island bought and remodeled Central House and the former hotel. Central House was operated as a restaurant.

2001: Art and Angela Williams of Atlanta acquired the inn and restaurant.

2004: The Old Edwards Inn and Spa open as a part of the Old Edwards Hospitality Group LLC.

— Sources: Old Edwards Hospitality Group and "Heart of the Blue Ridge: Highlands, North Carolina" by Randolph P. Shaffner

Selling Your Home In A Down Market

Selling Your Home In A Down Market

When Doreen Cardin first put her house on the market, she was hopeful that the house would find a buyer right away. Cardin's husband, a mechanic, was unable to work. The loss of an income had proven tough for the young couple, who live 20 miles north of Seattle. They needed the money.

So they first spent some cash fixing up their three-bedroom, 1,600-square-foot house, with a new coat of paint, carpeting in the family room and flooring in the bathroom. They hired a local real estate agent and put the house on the market for $300,000.

That was five months ago.

There have been a couple of offers since then, but those both fell through. The Cardins have now hired a new realtor, slashed the price down to $279,000 and even thrown in a $5,000 buyer's bonus. Doreen Cardin blames the lack of real interest in her house now on the cold weather, which discourages people from visiting open houses, she says, and also a more general sense of financial unease in her community, as people face new challenges like higher gas prices.


There hasn't been much good news out of the U.S. residential real estate market for a long time. This week wasn't any different. The National Association of Realtors said that sales of existing single-family homes and condominiums fell by 1.2% in October. The median price of a home sold dropped to $207,800, a decline of 5.1% from a year ago. That's the biggest year-over-year price drop since data collection began in 1968.
In the West, where the Cardins live, the median price of $318,200 for an existing home was down 6.9% from October 2006.

Despite deepening housing problems, plenty of people still need to sell their homes right now. Offloading a property in a down market presents unique challenges and problems, but real estate agents do offer up some smart tricks of the trade for frustrated sellers. There are simple strategies that can help move a house, even during a real estate bust.

The first step for the seller, experts say, is to hire a competent, first-rate agent.

"Some sellers feel they are saving money by not hiring an agent and thus not having to pay commission," says Courtney Charney, a realtor with Alain Pinel Realtors in Northern California. "However, agents offer valuable advice and insight as well as marketing savvy that will serve you well in selling your home."

Charney adds that prospective buyers are drawn to homes that are professionally marketed and appear to offer a fair market value.
"A sign on the lawn that reads 'For Sale By Owner' is not sending the message you want," she says.

Ideally, the agent should have worked through a down market in the past so that she understands the challenges posed by such a business environment. Also, if possible, it is best if the agent specializes in the seller's neighborhood so that he or she has expertise in the area.

After tracking down the best representation, the seller and agent need to figure out the right price. "One of the primary responsibilities of your realtor is to assist you in pricing your home," says Charney. "A realtor should provide you with comparable sales in your neighborhood, as well as a realistic asking price for your home." Charney says sellers shouldn't be afraid to reduce the price, painful as that may sound.

Brockman owned a four-bedroom, three-bath, 3,200-square-foot house in Menlo Park, Calif. With three young children, ages 8, 6 and 2, Brockman and his wife decided it was time to move to a bigger space.

They put their house on the market for $2.395 million in August.
"I realized that was a bit high but I didn't want to take too much off the table before I had to," Brockman says. "My hope was that it would sell quickly. We loved that house and thought it was in great condition. So we had hopes. But I also knew it would be hard. It was a week before school was starting. People were going away. I realized that the ideal time was to wait. But we didn't."

The house sat on the market for three weeks. At that point, Charney urged the family to consider reducing the price. Brockman says that was tough advice to take.

"I don't like to lose any negotiation and I don't like to give up if I don't have to," he says, "but we were in a fortunate position. We could swing it financially." So Brockman relented, agreeing to lower the price by $100,000. That price point was enough to lure in a new, interested party. "It was a fair price," he says of the final transaction.

In addition to settling on the right representation and price point, it's equally critical to stage the property appropriately, agents say.
Stacey Gero-Kanbar, a director at Brown Harris Stevens in New York City, says that the seller needs to work hard to present the property at its best.

"You need that property to look as good as it can," Gero-Kanbar says. "Don't let people come in and just imagine what the home could look like. People say they can imagine it. But they can't. Don't force them to. Have them come in and fall in love with the space."

An important part of the staging process, agents argue, is clearing out clutter, keeping the house smelling pleasant during open houses (some suggest baking cookies in the kitchen or burning scented candles) and generally maintaining a very neat, well kept home.



Marketing the home effectively is also key, agents say. It's important for sellers to always figure out who the most likely buyers are for their property.

"Know the market you're selling to," says Adams. "I believe in profiling the buyer. Target a specific group. People will respond to marketing if it speaks to them. People don't respond as well to generic advertisements."

Finally, real estate agents also urge clients to consider offering incentives to prospective buyers. That could include paying some or all of the closing costs, or throwing in some of the high-tech toys decorating the home, like the plasma TV or stereo system. .

Even when every trick is tried, and the property is perfectly priced and presented, the house still might not move. If that's the case, renting is an alternative. But Catherine Adams urges sellers to first consider the amount of cash it will take to upgrade the house once the tenants leave.

"Renting is a viable option," Adams says. "But is it enough to cover the costs to put the house back on the market? Because, once the tenants move out, you will need to clean and paint again. Otherwise, if you don't, you will diminish the asset."


For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around NC, please call Traci toll at 678-575-6735 send an mail to huntforhouses@yahoo.com

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Final vote for Land Transfer Tax in North Carolina - Highlands, NC

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Decision 2007 is over and the majority of voters across the state said "no" to new taxes to help pay for growth.


Voters in Johnston, Chatham, Harnett, Hoke and Moore counties all rejected a .4-percent land transfer tax proposal.

And voters in Cumberland, Harnett, Johnston and Robeson counties voted no to a quarter-cent sales tax increase.

Voters in Sampson County however said "yes" to the tax increase.

Wake County voters could soon be asked to approve a higher land transfer tax and sales tax.

But Tuesday's election results may send Wake County commissioners back to the drawing board.

"It's a tax on people's dreams," said Mark Cares of Chatham County Conservative Voice. "The American home is what everyone strives for, it's the American dream."

On Tuesday voters decided that dream should not have an added .4 percent tax.


"The tax is on the seller but it still goes into the cost of a home," said Dallas Woodhouse of Americans for Prosperity. "It's hard to determine exactly what it is whether it goes into the cost of the home, whether it goes to the seller, the buyer -- it just all adds to the price of a home."

While Wake County voters weren't presented with land transfer and sales taxes this time around, they could make their way onto a future ballot. Wake County commissioners say they first want a plan for where the money is needed.

"I think we'll look at both," said Commissioner Betty Lou Ward. "They're on our plate. We'll stir them around and figure out what we need. And I'm not saying all the commissioners will agree. There are some who probably won't want to move ahead."

Wake County leaders say approving those tax increases could bring in millions of additional money for the county.

Meantime the North Carolina Association of Realtors along with the grassroots organization Americans for Prosperity plan to hold news conferences later this morning to call on county commissioners statewide to abandon tax increase efforts.



For information about Highlands North Carolina Real Estate, Market Trend, Events and Happenings in and around NC, please call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com

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