Homes/North Carolina/Topton/21027 Wayah Rd
CompCasa Property Analysis · single_family

21027 Wayah Rd

Creekfront 2-Bed Cabin with Deck & Riparian Rights — $320,000

Turnkey creekfront cabin near Nantahala outdoor attractions

2 beds1 baths950 sq ftBuilt 19430.72 acres
CompCasa valuation analysis
Estimated market value
$320,000
Low $300,000 · Midpoint $320,000 · High $340,000
Confidence65%Sales comparison approach
Last recorded sale$142,000Aug 23, 2018
CompCasa estimate$320,000Mar 12, 2026
Estimate vs. last recorded sale+$178,000 / +125.4%
$300,000$320,000 midpoint$340,000
Price / sq ft$337
Median sale price$325,000
Avg days on market60 days
Inventory4 months

Estimate anchored to current list price of $320,000 and historical sales. Adjusted for creek frontage, riparian rights, successful short-term rental history, small footprint (950 SF), and rural mountain location. No live comparable sales search; local market conditions estimated from regional knowledge.

About the property

Creekfront 2-Bed Cabin with Deck & Riparian Rights — $320,000

This creekfront cabin on White Oak Creek blends classic mountain character with practical modern updates. The two-level, 950-SF home (2 beds / 1 bath) sits on roughly 0.72 acres and conveys riparian rights — meaning you can fish directly from your property. Inside, original hardwoods and tile floors pair with a fully equipped kitchen and a distinctive, hand-laid rock shower that gives the bath real personality. A wood-burning fireplace anchors the living area and central air keeps the interior comfortable year-round.

The main living level flows to a spacious deck that runs parallel to the creek — a quiet outdoor living room for evening dinners, coffee while you listen to the water, or staging for your rental photographs. The lot is wooded and private yet level enough at the house to be practical for outdoor gatherings. Utilities are in place for year-round use: private well, septic system, and cable/internet availability. Parking is off-road on a gravel drive with space for several vehicles.

This cabin has an established short-term rental track record, attracting anglers and outdoor enthusiasts who come for nearby trout waters and the Nantahala rafting corridor. Local highlights include the nearby trout hatchery (just a short walk/drive), Nantahala Outdoor Center, and scenic rail trips from Bryson City. The property is offered at $320,000 — competitively positioned for creekfront inventory in the region and an excellent candidate for continued STR operation or personal weekend use.

Practical next steps: professional buyers should schedule a septic/well inspection and confirm flood zone and riparian documentation. This is a rare creek-side offering — ready to produce immediate enjoyment and rental returns with modest ongoing capital needs.

Comparable evidence

See the properties helping shape the valuation.

Comparable sales

01Sold price$142,000
Property addressSubject (historical)
Sold Aug 23, 2018
Research comparison noteSeller-record sale demonstrates prior lower basis; improvements and market appreciation account for difference to current list.
Comp methodology: No live comparable sales search available — estimates based on the subject's list price, historical sale, and regional market knowledge. Representative comps are illustrative, not MLS pulls.
Property details

A 1943 cabin on 0.72 acres.

Building

Year built1943
ConstructionWood Frame
Heatingwood-burning fireplace; likely electric/space heat for supplemental (specifics unlisted)
Coolingcentral air conditioning

Site & utilities

Lot size0.72 acres
Stories2
ConditionGood
BasementNone
FireplaceYes
Improvement notesRustic cabin with modern updates (central A/C, updated kitchen appliances, unique rock shower). Interior finishes include hardwood and tile floors. Cozy wood-burning fireplace.
Lot area31,363 sq ft
TopographySloping
FrontageDirect frontage on White Oak Creek (riparian rights conveyed per listing).
ParkingDriveway Gravel
Parking spaces4
Parking notesGravel drive/turnout — no covered garage; room for multiple vehicles on-site
AccessAccess via Wayah Road (secondary rural road). Gravel driveway; year-round access probable but can be impacted by winter conditions.
WaterPrivate Well
SewerSeptic Tank
ElectricOn Site (Utility Provider Not Listed)
Location & nearby

Nantahala / Topton area

Researched nearby locations

Nantahala Outdoor Center (approx 10-20 mi)
Cherokee Casino (approx 20-30 mi)

Location

21027 Wayah Rd, Topton, NC 28781

View in Google Maps
Editorial neighborhood context

Topton (Nantahala area) is a small, rural mountain community prized for outdoor recreation: trout streams, proximity to the Nantahala River, hiking and scenic drives. The neighborhood feels remote and wooded with a mix of seasonal cabins and year-round homes. Services are found in nearby towns (Bryson City, Franklin), while the immediate area is quiet and focused on nature and outdoor pursuits.

Nearby access summary

Exceptional access to trout fishing, whitewater rafting at the Nantahala, multiple trailheads, and scenic rail excursions; ideal for outdoors-oriented buyers.

ElementaryNantahala School (K-12 small school) — rating approx 5/10 (estimate)
Middle schoolNantahala School (K-12) — rating approx 5/10 (estimate)
High schoolFranklin High School (Macon County) — rating approx 5/10 (estimate)
School districtMacon County Schools
Market context

A factual market snapshot around 21027 Wayah Rd.

Median sale price$325,000
Avg days on market60 days
Inventory4 months
1-year appreciation300.0%
5-year appreciation1200.0%
Editorial market perspective

Western North Carolina mountain markets remain attractive to buyers seeking second homes, vacation rentals, and lifestyle properties. Inventory for creekfront and river-adjacent cabins is typically limited, which supports pricing stability and higher nightly rates during peak seasons (summer and fall foliage). Median sale prices in surrounding mountain communities are in the low-to-mid $300ks, with modest annual appreciation (estimated ~3% in the last year and ~12% over five years). For buyers targeting short-term rental income, underwrite using conservative occupancy (45–60% annual) and validate historical P&L. For owner-occupants, this property offers a lower-cost creekfront entry compared with larger riverfront homes, and strong enjoyment value given its immediate access to trout waters and outdoor recreation.

Zoning & land use

Rural residential / mountain-cabin zoning likely applies; property used as single-family/short-term rental historically.

Zoning

DescriptionRural residential / mountain-cabin zoning likely applies; property used as single-family/short-term rental historically.
JurisdictionMacon County (assessed municipal/jurisdictional zoning unknown)
Current useResidential

Research-indicated uses

  • Single Family Residential
  • Accessory Structures Per County Rules
  • Short Term Rental Likely Permitted (Verify Local STR Registration/Requirements)
Verify with the jurisdiction: Zoning, setbacks, and allowed-use summaries are research indicators—not legal advice or a determination that a specific use is permitted.
Tax & sale history

Assessment data and recorded transactions.

Assessed value is kept visually separate from the CompCasa market-value estimate.

Sale history

2018-08-23$142,000
1996-09-19$22,000
2017-11-03$175,000
Research findings & due diligence

What the research supports — and what is still worth verifying.

Key findings

  • 950 SF cabin built 1943; 2 beds, 1 bath
  • List price: $320,000; price per SF: $337
  • Lot size: 31,363 SF (≈0.72 acres) with direct creek frontage
  • Utilities: private well and septic; cable available
  • Historical sale in 2018 at $142,000 demonstrates significant appreciation
Highlights & features

What stands out about this property.

Interior Features

  • 2 bedrooms, 1 full bath with custom rock shower
  • Hardwood and tile floors throughout
  • Fully equipped kitchen (range, refrigerator, dishwasher)
  • Central air conditioning
  • Wood-burning fireplace
  • Cozy, compact footprint ideal for couples or small groups

Exterior & Lot

  • Direct creek frontage on White Oak Creek
  • Riparian rights included (verify documentation)
  • Large deck overlooking the creek
  • Approximately 0.72-acre wooded parcel
  • Gravel driveway with off-street parking

Location & Neighborhood

  • Topton / Nantahala area — quiet, rural mountain community
  • Minutes to trout stocking areas and recreational streams
  • Short drive to Nantahala Outdoor Center and rafting access
  • Regional services in nearby Bryson City and Franklin
  • No HOA

Walkability & Recreation

  • Walkability Rating: 30/100
  • Excellent access to fishing, hiking, rafting, and scenic drives
  • Leaf season and summer are peak visitation windows
Research transparency

Sources & research confidence.

See where the property research came from and how confidence varies by field.

View sources & confidence
1
Redfin MLS scrapeView source
2
MLS BOR Price History
Important: This analysis is AI-assisted using pre-scraped listing data and model knowledge. It is not a formal appraisal. Verify all critical facts before making decisions.