More About Highlands, North Carolina

Home Preferred Properties Blog What’s New Homes Lots & Acreage Commercial Highlands, NC Contact Us Rate CalculatorsHighlands_NC_Real_Estate.htmlPreferred_Properties.htmlBlog/Blog.htmlWhats_New.htmlHomes.htmlLots_%26_Acreage.htmlCommercial.htmlHighlands,_NC.htmlContact_Us.htmlMortgage_Calculators.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3shapeimage_1_link_4shapeimage_1_link_5shapeimage_1_link_6shapeimage_1_link_7shapeimage_1_link_8shapeimage_1_link_9
 
Western North Carolina is known for its' mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located about 60 driving miles north of Highlands, encompasses over one half million
(over 800 square miles in the Southern Appalachian Mountains) acres and is the most visited National Park in the United States. It is the last major national park that does not charge admission to visitors, who in 2007 totaled over 10 million.
 

  1. ๏Highlands Country Club, the oldest club in the area, and the only club in the city limits, has had a complete facelift of the course. The stunning new clubhouse was just completed in late 2006.

  2. ๏Highlands Falls Country Club is known for its' spectacular 15th hole laying at the base of a 70 foot waterfall. A Joe Lee designed course.

  3. ๏Cullasaja Club, developed by Arvida and course designed by Arnold Palmer this beautiful, gated community has many lakefront and view homes.

  4. ๏Wildcat Cliffs Country Club located in the shadow of Whiteside Mountain, boasts a completely redesigned club house, complete fitness facility with indoor pool, and no tee times. A George Cobb designed course.

  5. ๏Old Edwards Club is located between Highlands and Cashiers. Lot prices run from $60,000.00 to $595,000.00. The course is closed to the public for daily play and the development has many home sites and condos to choose from.


  7. All five courses are 18 holes.

  8. Four communities are member-run.

Purchasing a home or property in North Carolina is a very smooth and enjoyable experience. North Carolina has standard "Bar Approved" and "Realtor Approved" forms that are easy to understand and with few exceptions are no more than a few pages long - a far cry from some states that literally have FEET of paperwork just to make an offer.

The majority of real estate transactions that are conducted in the Highlands area are, in the end, closed through the mail. The main factor leading to this is that we are a vacation spot. Most buyers of Highlands real estate own primary homes in other areas, coming to Highlands to escape the hustle and bustle & summer heat back home.

Highlands is one of few places that has no industrial growth or impact (other than the numerous retail shops and prosperous custom residential construction business). The largest employer is the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital with about 175 employees. The current facility was opened in 1993.

Taxes are assessed by Macon County and City of Highlands. Both usually billed in August, are for the full year in which billed. January 1 - December 31.  Annual appreciation averages 6% - 9% across the board. Those figures have greatly increased in the last couple of years!

Waste treatment facilities are limited. The vast majority of homes inside the city limits, and virtually all of those outside the city, use septic systems. When buying a lot or land, make sure it will support a system based on the number of bedrooms you desire. All applications for septic through the County Health Department, can be handled by your agent at Preferred Properties.

Zoning laws, Architectural Guidelines, and information of interest to new businesses can be accessed by visiting the Town of Highlands web site. Detailed questions about the purchase or sale of real estate in North Carolina can be answered by accessing the North Carolina Real Estate Commission web pages. The Real Estate Commission also can provide answers to frequently asked questions about Home Inspections in North Carolina

Agency disclosure in North Carolina is mandatory and unless notified otherwise, real estate agents will, by default, represent the Seller in any given transaction. Buyers' Agents are becoming increasingly common, and as a Buyer, you can be represented by an agent at Preferred Properties.

There is virtually nothing a Buyers Agent can do that a Sellers Agent can't, other than suggest an offering price in a real estate transaction - a price that many times will be rejected - because none of us know what will be the bottom line for a Seller. Also, engaging a Buyers Agent may require the Buyer to pay the commission - your agent can explain that to you.


The Real Estate Buyers Guide is the premier “handbook” to Highlands area real estate.  By clicking on the issue to the left, you can access not only individual agencies ads, but a complete online, interactive, version of the latest issue.

The Full version of the magazine can be directly accessed by the bar below.








Highlands,_NC.html
 

A place of respite for many generations, Highlands has long served as a getaway for those seeking a more genteel way of life, and an unexcelled climate.

The village of Highlands sits atop the Highlands Plateau at an average elevation of 4,118 feet above sea level. Main Street measures 3,835 feet above sea level, while just a few blocks away, Satulah Mountain tops out at 4,543 feet. There are two lakes in the city limits, Lake Sequoyah and Mirror Lake. Both of the lakes are "private" but can be accessed by the public for non-motorized water traffic.

Being surrounded by thousands of acres of US Forest Service lands, magnificent vistas and dazzling waterfalls, Highlands is blessed with a lifestyle to which we all aspire. Those who come leave regretfully, if at all. Those of us who live year-round are thankful for the opportunity  to live "where there are no strangers, only friends we haven't met".

Only 125 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, the site of the Centennial Olympic Games, Highlands altitude provides a cool escape from the summer heat. Average temperatures in the summer range from lows at night of 40-50 degree F to daytime highs in the low 80's. With an average rainfall of over 86 inches per year, our rain forest climate makes for lush foliage and beautiful displays of wildflowers. Winter, on the other hand, provides time to relax and enjoy the enchanting snowfalls.

The abundant rainfall (second highest in the continental United States) produces a mountain rain forest which bursts into a kaleidoscope of colors in the fall, drawing visitors from near and far. The native dogwood, laurel, azalea and rhododendron produce an ever-changing array of color. Since 68% of the land in Highlands Township is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, the natural beauty remains unthreatened by creeping commercialization. With all this forest land and natural beauty it is understandable that Highlands is a haven for outdoorsmen, naturalists and birdwatchers.

Highlands is blessed to have many social and cultural events on a seasonal and year-round basis. The Highlands Playhouse offering professional summer stock each summer season, has been expanded to five productions for the 2007 season. The Highlands Biological Station and adjoining Botanical Gardens, where native flora is showcased, are but a short walk down Main Street. Hudson Library also located on Main Street, was founded in 1884 and is the oldest public library in North Carolina.

For those interested in “court sports” the Town of Highlands provides the Civic Center. Located only 3 1/2 blocks from Main Street it offers Tennis, Basketball facilities along with a swimming pool, fitness facility, hiking trails and picnic shelters. It is open to the public seven days a week with very nominal usage fees.

 

No where else will you find a better site to explore the “Quieter Side” of the Smoky Mountains but Stay and Play in the Smokies.  The perfect place to plan your next trip from places to stay to places to play - with exploring and eating in the middle!