Silver Creek Real Estate BlogNews and views on the Cashiers-Highlands Plateau — Cashiers, Highlands, Sapphire, Lake Glenville and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina

Here are this week’s real estate sales for the week of June 15, 2009 in the greater Cashiers, Highlands, Lake Toxaway and Sapphire Valley NC area. For additional information on any of these sales or assistance in purchasing or selling property, please call our office at (828) 743-1999 or email me at jlucke@ncliving.com.

3 bedroom/2 bath home on 10.8 acres off Buck Creek Road sold for $260,000.
2 bedroom/2 bath bank owned foreclosure home on Dendy Orchard Road in Highlands sold for $175,000.
2 bedroom/2 bath home in the John Gibson subdivision sold for $230,000.
2 bedroom/2 bath home in the Buck Creek area sold for $267,000.
3 bedroom/4.5 bath home in Lake Toxaway Estates sold for $575,000.
3 bedroom/3 bath home in Burlingame at Sapphire Lakes sold for $425,000.
2 bedroom/2 bath condominium at The Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove sold for $405,000.
A lot in Holly Forest III sold for $8,500.
Two lots totaling 6.6 acres in Longleaf sold for $125,000.
A lot at The Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove sold for $142,500.
0.76 acres sold in the Horse Cove area for $50,000.
0.58 acres sold in the Horse Cove area for $77,760.
The Library Restaurant property sold for $900,000.

Nestled upon 200 beautiful acres in Western North Carolina, Chattooga Club was founded as a family-friendly mountain retreat near the historic village of Cashiers in 1988 by Charleston executive, John Rivers. An enclave of just under 70 home sites and specialized amenities, this extraordinary gated community is carefully designed down to the last detail to coexist in harmony with the pristine natural setting on which it is built. A broad offering of homes, from quaint cottages to luxury custom estates, paired with a unique blend of amenities – Chattooga Club seeks to offer something for everyone. Amenities at The Club include the highly revered Life Enhancement Center, which offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment, high-energy aerobics classes, personal trainers, and a world-class spa featuring relaxing body massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Additional Club amenities consist of three Har-Tru tennis courts, heated swimming pool, fully stocked trout lake, active children’s programs, hiking trails, and five-star dining at The Chattooga Club Lodge. At the heart of the community – and setting Chattooga apart from other communities in the area – are two meticulously landscaped croquet lawns considered to be among the finest in the world. Invitational tournaments are held here biannually each year – drawing croquet enthusiasts from all across the nation in the summer and the fall. Between the sight of families playing croquet on the lawn and the native Appalachian-themed architectural design of the homes and Chattooga Club Lodge, visitors may feel as though they’ve taken a step back to another era – a simpler time.

The mission of this distinctive community is to “maintain a tradition as the family mountain retreat in the North Carolina Mountains, a place where families come to renew their spirit and create memories together in a natural setting surrounded by subtle elegance and superior level of service”. To experience Chattooga Club’s subtle elegance and superior level of service firsthand, Silver Creek Real Estate Group cordially invites you for a personalized tour of this very special community. Feel free to visit our website to view Finwood Lodge – one of Chatooga Club’s newest additions and simply stunning with its lakefront view, hand-hewn timber and stone accents, and lodge-inspired design.

What are you waiting for? Now is the ideal time to buy property in Western North Carolina. Simply contact one of the talented brokers at Silver Creek by calling us at (828) 742-1999, dropping by our offices located just west of the Cashiers Crossroads in The Shoppes at CreekSide, or by filling out our online contact form. We welcome the opportunity to introduce you to what could become the site of your future dream home in one of Cashier’s most exclusive mountain communities, The Chattooga Club.

With a history dating back to 1895, Lonesome Valley has served as a bastion to “the great outdoors” ever since Pittsburg entrepreneur and visionary E.H. Jennings first acquired 35,000 acres near the sleepy village of Cashiers. While Mr. Jennings is responsible for developing one of Western North Carolina’s most popular resort destinations, he chose to preserve Lonesome Valley as a special place to share with his friends and family. Gracefully spanning the valley floor of the largest box canyon east of the Rockies, Lonesome Valley is said by many to be the place where Heaven and Earth meet. For more than a century, the Jennings family has continued to take great care to maintain the history and natural beauty of this unique mountain treasure.

Carefully developed in accordance with the Jennings family’s wishes, amenities and homes within this stunning community complement the natural beauty of the area. Lonesome Valley has quickly become one of Cashiers’ most sought after developments. Cottage and home designs pay homage to the Southern Appalachian farmhouses of a bygone era. Dining within the community highlights Southern cuisine made with fresh produce grown in the Valley. The Canyon Kitchen is currently open for the season on Thursdays through Sundays, and features the culinary talents of Chef John Fleer (formerly of the renowned Blackberry Farm in Tennessee). The Canyon Kitchen is located inside Jennings Barn at the heart of the Lonesome Valley community, and reservations are recommended.

Silver Creek Real Estate Group is proud to announce that we are now highlighting several incredible homes and amazing lots available for purchase in Lonesome Valley on our website. A handful of new-construction cabins, cottages and homes are available for immediate move-in, or select your own view from a series of incredible home sites currently being offered. For photo tours and more information on Lonesome Valley in Cashiers, North Carolina, click on the following two links: Lonesome Valley land or homes for sale. When you’re ready to buy or build the home of your dreams, contact one of the talented brokers at Silver Creek by calling us at (828) 742-1999, dropping by our offices located just west of the Cashiers Crossroads in The Shoppes at CreekSide, or by filling out our online contact form . We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to one of Cashier’s most visually stunning communities.

True to its name, Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club is perched high atop a beautiful expanse of the Blue Ridge Mountains between the popular destinations of Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina. At 4,000 feet above sea level, Mountaintop offers its residents not only some of the most beautiful views in the region, but also extremely pleasant climates, no matter the season. Set upon a sprawling 731 acres, the developer – Discovery Land Company – has designed a luxury mountain retreat community of just 251 estate lots and 75 cabins and lodges peppered about the property. Lots range in size from one-half acre to over five acres – providing residents with the peace and quiet that has become a trademark of luxury mountain living. From a cascading waterfall to a nest of birds high atop a hardwood tree, the sights and sounds of nature surround the community. However, for those who seek more than just peace and quiet, amusing activities abound.

Mountaintop considers itself the “perfect private mountain retreat, designed to embrace your family for generations.” This unique community is highly revered for the level of service available to club members through the added benefits of property management and lifestyle concierge services. The mission at Mountaintop Golf & Lake Club is “to enrich the lives of the Mountaintop family through a genuine desire to create memorable experiences that last a lifetime.” They seek to do so by offering a wealth of opportunities to enjoy the best that Western North Carolina has to offer. For the fun lover, Mountaintop offers a Tom Fazio-designed golf course, as well as opportunities for water sports like kayaking, wave running and canoeing at the private Lake Club on nearby Lake Glenville. For the nature lover, Cashiers offers horseback riding, fly fishing, whitewater rafting and plenty of trails for hiking and exploring. For those seeking inner peace, a trip to Mountaintop’s world-class spa and wellness center should certainly do the trick. And for the foodie, Mountaintop offers several options for your dining pleasure – anything from a family picnic by the lake to casual or formal dining in the clubhouse. The possibilities are truly endless.
Many offer stunning long-range views of the mountains or are set along the fairway of Mountaintop’s famous golf course. We are currently showcasing several new-construction multi-million dollar homes that are available for immediate move-in, including a handful of exquisite estates designed by renowned Atlanta architect, William T. Baker. For photo tours and more information on land or homes for sale in Mountaintop in Cashiers, North Carolina – click on this Mountaintop link.

When you’re ready to buy or build the home of your dreams, contact one of the talented brokers at Silver Creek by calling us at (828) 742-1999, dropping by our offices located just west of the Cashiers Crossroads in The Shoppes at CreekSide, or by filling out our online contact form . We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to one of Cashier’s most sought-after communities.

One need only stand on the banks of her peaceful tree-lined shores and admire the sunlight glimmering on her tranquil waters to appreciate the beauty of Lake Glenville. The view from the water is just as spectacular. Magnificent luxury lakefront and lake view homes peek out from between the tall pines and ancient hardwoods that line her banks. The owners of those homes hold front row tickets to what is arguably the best show in town – sunset over the lake with a backdrop of pastel skies and mountains in the distance. That could be you standing on the private deck of your new home, overlooking one of the most beautiful views in all of the Southeastern United States.

What are you waiting for? This may be the perfect time to purchase or build your dream home on Lake Glenville. There are many wonderful communities peppered along Lake Glenville such as Glenshore, Summer Cove, Summer Hill, Strawberry Hill, and Trillium – just to name just a few. To view a list of homes currently for sale on Lake Glenville, please visit this link on our Silver Creek website – Homes For Sale on Lake Glenville. Once you’re ready to find the home or homesite of your dreams, we invite you to contact Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s talented brokers to set up an appointment for a private tour of any these fine homes or lots. To get started, simply call Jochen Lucke or Elaine Zachary at 828-743-1999, or e-mail them at either jlucke@ncliving.com or elaine@ncliving.com. They look forward to meeting you and helping you find that perfect view.

Lake Glenville Home Sales 2008 to 2009

Do you believe in love at first sight? If you’ve ever seen the sun setting over beautiful Lake Glenville and the majestic mountains just beyond – we’re sure you do! However, we’re talking about a love that will last for future generations. In terms of investment property, Lake Glenville homes have a proven track record – making this area a popular spot for “legacy properties” – homes that are passed down, from generation to generation.

We invite you to view the sales list below for lakefront homes in Glenville sold throughout 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Now may just be the perfect time to buy or build your dream home, and we think Lake Glenville may just be the perfect place. To begin the quest for your ideal mountain lake home, we invite you to call Silver Creek Real Estate Group’s brokers Jochen Lucke or Elaine Zachary at 828-743-1999, or e-mail them at either jlucke@ncliving.com or elaine@ncliving.com. They look forward to meeting you and helping you find a home you and your family will love for years to come.

2 bedroom/3 bath home in South Tater Knob sold for $729,000.
3 bedroom/3 bath home in Tater Knob sold for $735,000.
3 bedroom/3 bath home in Tahala Shores sold for $850,000.
2 bedroom/3 bath home in Woudes Mountain Village sold for $1,050,000.
3 bedroom/2 bath home in Lakewood Shores sold for $975,000.
3 bedroom/4 bath home in Lakewood Shores sold for $1,150,000.
3 bedroom/3.5 bath home in Buck Knob Landing sold for $1,200,000.
4 bedroom/4.5 bath home in Summer Cove sold for $1,550,000.
4 bedroom/3.5 bath home on Buck Knob Island sold for $1,775,000.
4 bedroom/4.5 bath home in Summer Cove sold for $1,600,000.

Here are this week’s real estate sales for the week of May 25, 2009 in the greater Cashiers and Highlands NC area. For additional information on any of these sales or assistance in purchasing or selling property, please call our office at (828) 743-1999 or email me at jlucke@ncliving.com.

4 bedroom/4.5 bath bank owned home in the Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove sold for $635,000.
A 0.51 acre lot in Holly Forest IV sold for $30,000.
A 1.94 acre lot in Sheepcliff Crossing sold for $80,000.
A 2.16 acre lot in Sapphire High sold for $55,000.
A 4.43 acre lot in Chinquapin sold for $450,000.
Lots 45 & 46 totaling 0.83 acres sold for $25,000.
A 1.67 acre lot off Highway 107 North (Liles Road) sold for $26,500.

Increasing The Curb Appeal of your Home

The rainy days of April have made the ground a perfect medium for a colorful palette of May flowers. As visitors descend upon the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in the coming weeks, it’s a given that many either won’t want to leave at all or will choose to buy a vacation home here and return year-after-year. At Silver Creek Real Estate Group, it’s both our job and our passion to find a perfect match between buyer and seller, and help turn dreams into reality. In this article, we will focus on the exterior of the home – what the buyer will see when they first arrive at their potential new residence. Keep in mind, you never get a second chance to make a first impression! We’ve compiled a few easy, economical steps you can take to increase the “curb appeal” of your home – making it simpler for buyers to envision themselves living within the four walls behind that pretty picture you’ve created. Not planning to go anywhere anytime soon? The tips below are still great ways to beautify the exterior of your home.

1. According to the experts at HGTV, the first thing you should do is look at your home from the buyers’ perspective. Take a big step back so you can see the front of your home completely. Pay particular attention to what draws your eye – the good and the bad. Oftentimes, it’s your front door. Does it look appealing? Does it say “Come on in!”? If not, a tasteful wreath may do the trick, you may want to paint your door a new color – or it may be worth investing in a beautiful new door. At times, a bench and some pretty potted flowers might augment the front of your home giving the feel of an outdoor foyer. At the very least, consider putting out an attractive new doormat that says (figuratively or literally) “Welcome.”
2. Develop a landscape plan. If your thumb is not particularly green, you may want to consult with a landscape expert. You may be able to find one through friends or even through the phone book (or call Silver Creek, and we’ll point you in the right direction). Ask their price to develop a landscape concept for you BEFORE you have them come out to the house. Once you are happy with their estimate, invite them to create a plan for you. If you feel comfortable going it alone, the advice at your local nursery is FREE. Find out which plants and flowers will work best based on the amount of sun or shade your yard receives, and which will have the most impact. Be sure to check out the Tailgate Farmers Market at the Cashiers Community Center on Wednesdays (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturdays (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) throughout the summer and support local growers.
3. Pay attention to details. Beyond the front door and the landscaping, you should concentrate on even the minutest elements of the front of your home. Remember, the point is to get the buyer from the car to the interior of your home. Are your windows clean (would window boxes add a nice touch)? When was the last time you power washed your driveway (if you have one)? How’s the paint holding up – trim and siding? Does everything look neat and tidy? Sometimes, something as simple as a clean, crisp edge to your lawn and landscaping can speak volumes to a potential buyer.

Still not sure how to get started? As a full-service brokerage firm, we are more than happy to help you figure out the very best ways to position yourself in the market, as well as stage your home – from inside to outside – to expedite the sale of your property. To set an appointment for a walk-through by one of Silver Creek’s talented brokers, contact us at jlucke@ncliving.com or by phone at (828) 743-1999. Happy Planting!

Here are this week’s real estate sales for the week of May 11, 2009 in the greater Cashiers and Highlands NC area. For additional information on any of these sales or assistance in purchasing or selling property, please call our office at (828) 743-1999 or email me at jlucke@ncliving.com.

2 bedroom/2 bath condominium in Highlands Mountain Club sold for $185,000.
1 bedroom/1 bath townhouse in Chestnut Ridge sold for $65,000.
3 bedroom/3 bath villa in Cullasaja Club sold for $689,000.
4 bedroom/4.5 bath home at in Cullasaja Club sold for $905,000.
A 3.12 acre lot in Laurel Falls sold for $67,500.
A commericial property including a restaurant, gas station ,and convenience store located along Highway 64 in Sapphire Valley sold for $1,275,000.

Here are this week’s real estate sales for the week of April 20, 2009 in the greater Cashiers, NC area. For additional information on any of these sales or assistance in purchasing or selling property, please call our office at (828) 743-1999 or email me at jlucke@ncliving.com.

2 bedroom/2.5 bath condo in Hampton Glen sold for $375,000.
3 bedroom/2 bath home on Pickelsimer Road sold for $235,000.