Property listing for 42 Hemlock Rdg, Highlands, NC 28741
ActiveSingle Family Home

$2,100,000

42 Hemlock Rdg, Highlands, NC 28741

Turnkey Pondfront Mountain Estate — Riverwalk, Highlands, NC

4 Bed · 4 Bath · 4,000 Sq Ft

Furnished 4BR/4BA pond-facing cottage steps from downtown Highlands

4

Beds

4

Baths

4,000

Sq Ft

2007

Built

0.16 acres

Lot

No attached garage noted — off-street parking

Garage

About 42 Hemlock Rdg

A compelling blend of mountain presence and refined living, 42 Hemlock Rdg sits within Riverwalk and overlooks a private pond — a rare combination steps from downtown Highlands. This furnished residence (offered with select exclusions) was crafted for both intimate family life and gracious entertaining. Enter into a grand living room defined by soaring vertical volume and a signature stone fireplace that provides scale and warmth. The open plan flows to a chef-capable kitchen and dining area designed for effortless gatherings.

Thoughtful outdoor spaces extend the home's program: a primary suite opens to its own screened terrace, creating a private retreat among the treetops. Off the kitchen is a second screened living room with a fireplace — an all-season extension of the interior that functions as an additional living or formal entertaining area. The home’s four bedrooms and four baths are arranged for privacy and comfort, making it ideal as a legacy mountain house or a high-end seasonal escape.

The lot of approximately 6,970 sq ft is intimate yet carefully composed — woods, water views, and the quiet circulation of a mature community provide privacy without isolation. Riverwalk residents enjoy quick drives to Highlands’ acclaimed restaurants, art galleries, and specialty shops; hikes, waterfalls and scenic overlooks are minutes away. The house is turnkey and move-in ready, presenting immediate lifestyle value for buyers seeking convenience combined with a strong foothold in a limited-supply luxury market.

Practical notes: built in 2007, offered furnished, and positioned in a low-inventory segment where well-appointed, water-adjacent homes command premium pricing. Buyers should verify square footage and any Riverwalk covenants or town regulations related to short-term rental operations. For those who value privacy, refined mountain architecture, and immediate usability, this property is a standout offering in Highlands.

Home Highlights

Turnkey furnished offering — immediate occupancy or rental-readyPond-facing setting with multiple screened terracesExpansive living room with dramatic stone fireplacePrimary suite with private screened terraceShort drive to downtown Highlands and nearby outdoor recreation

Property Features

Interior Features

  • Grand living room with soaring ceilings and statement stone fireplace
  • Open kitchen and dining flow ideal for entertaining
  • Primary suite with private screened terrace
  • Second screened living room off kitchen with fireplace
  • 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms; offered furnished with select exclusions

Exterior & Lot

  • Pond outlook and treed perimeter
  • Lot approx. 6,970 sq ft (0.16 acres)
  • Multiple screened terraces for year-round outdoor living
  • Private, paved community roads within Riverwalk
  • Comfortable off-street parking; no attached garage listed

Location & Neighborhood

  • Riverwalk enclave — quiet, well-regarded community
  • 0.5–1.5 miles to downtown Highlands dining and galleries
  • Minutes to regional trails, waterfalls and scenic overlooks
  • Macon County / Town of Highlands jurisdiction

Walkability & Recreation

  • Walkability Rating: 40/100
  • Easy drive to downtown shops and restaurants
  • Close access to hiking, waterfalls, and Highlands outdoor amenities

Neighborhood & Location

Riverwalk is a quiet, mature residential enclave within easy reach of downtown Highlands. Homes here tend to be architecturally sensitive to the mountain context, set on smaller, wooded lots with emphasis on privacy and outdoor living. Residents benefit from rapid access to Highlands’ restaurants, galleries and seasonal events, while being minutes from regional hiking trails, waterfall sites and scenic overlooks. The neighborhood appeals to full-time residents, second-home buyers and seasonal visitors seeking a refined mountain lifestyle.

Market Insights

Highlands is a specialty market driven by second-home demand, seasonal visitation, and limited developable inventory. The luxury segment — homes north of $1.5M — typically sees fewer active listings and strong interest from buyers in the Southeast looking for turnkey mountain retreats. Median sale prices in the broader Highlands area are materially lower than this property's list price (local median estimated near $825K), but pond-adjacent turnkey homes in Riverwalk routinely trade at premiums. Inventory is generally constrained, which compresses negotiation windows for well-presented listings; however, occupancy and cashflow for rentals are seasonal and require local regulatory checks. Given current conditions, a thoughtfully priced and furnished offering will attract both local and out-of-state buyers, often producing faster market times relative to the broader area.

Nearby Schools

Highlands School

K-12 (Elementary/Middle/High) · 1-3 mi

7/10

Walkability & Recreation

40
Walkability
85
Recreation

Excellent access to hiking, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation — ideal for owners who value quick access to trails and scenic mountain overlooks.

Investment Highlights

  • Turnkey furnished offering — immediate occupancy or seasonal rental potential
  • Pond-facing setting within the desirable Riverwalk enclave
  • Signature living room with soaring ceilings and large stone fireplace
  • Multiple screened terraces and year-round outdoor living rooms
  • Short drive to downtown Highlands amenities and trails

Key Findings

  • Listing price: $2,100,000 (source listing data).
  • Property: 4 beds, 4 baths, built 2007, lot ~6,970 sq ft.
  • Offered furnished with select exclusions — accelerates time-to-use.
  • Estimated building area used for valuation: ~4,000 sq ft (estimate).
  • High-end turnkey homes in Highlands experience limited competition and often trade at a premium to general-area medians.

Things to Consider

  • Square footage and utility connections (public water/sewer vs septic) were not provided — verify prior to contract.
  • Possible covenant or town restrictions on short-term rentals — confirm with Riverwalk HOA/records and Town of Highlands.
  • No attached garage — limited covered vehicle storage for owners used to full-service mountain estates.

Opportunity Analysis

Acquire a turnkey, high-end mountain home in Riverwalk that combines strong locational attributes (pond setting, proximity to downtown Highlands) with immediate use or cashflow upside via seasonal short-term rentals (subject to regulations). Value is supported by low supply of comparable furnished pondfront homes in Highlands.

Potential Use Scenarios

  • Confirm all physical facts (sqft, utilities, covenants) and complete a pre-offer inspection.
  • If intended for rental, verify town rules and obtain historical rental performance for comparable Riverwalk homes.
  • Negotiate contingencies around furniture inclusions and a reasonable inspection timeline given furnishing and systems verification.

Risk Factors

  • Regulatory limits on short-term rentals could impact yield.
  • High-end market sensitivity to seasonal demand — occupancy and revenue can be lumpy.
  • Maintenance/insurance costs for mountain properties can be elevated (roofing, drainage, freeze protection).

Buyers should conduct independent due diligence before making any purchase decisions.

AI Valuation Estimate

Low

$1900K

Midpoint

$2100K

High

$2300K

$525/SF estimated price per square foot

65% confidence

Estimate anchored to the list price of **$2,100,000**; building area is an industry-estimated 4,000 sq ft (not provided in source). Range reflects demand for turnkey luxury homes in Highlands/Riverwalk and recent limited inventory in the high-elevation second-home market.

As of 2026-03-14

This is a computer-generated estimate for informational purposes only and is not an appraisal or professional valuation.

Market & Area Data

Market Trends

Area Median Price$825,000
Avg Days on Market75 days
Inventory4 months
1-Year Appreciation+300.0%

Demographics

Population (1 mi)1,500
Median Income (1 mi)$95,000

Highlands is a mature resort community with limited new supply; population is stable with an outsized seasonal/second-home ownership component.

Nearby Points of Interest

  • Downtown Highlands boutiques & dining (0.5-1.5 mi)
  • Highlands Country Club / golf facilities (approx 2-4 mi)

Convenient to downtown Highlands dining, galleries, and outdoor recreation (hiking, waterfalls, scenic overlooks). Property overlooks a private pond and is set in Riverwalk, a quiet, well-regarded enclave.

School District

DistrictMacon County Schools
ElementaryHighlands School (K-12) — community school serving the area (public) (approx 1-3 mi; rating ~7/10)
MiddleHighlands School (K-12) — same campus (rating ~7/10)
HighHighlands School (K-12) — same campus (rating ~7/10)

Market data is based on aggregated public records and may not reflect real-time conditions.

Property Details

Building Details

Year Built2007
Constructionwood frame with stone accents (typical for region)
Stories2
Roofgabled (estimated)
Heatinglikely forced-air and/or zoned heat with wood/stone fireplace (not verified)
Coolinglikely minimal central A/C or split systems (not verified)
Basementnone
FireplaceYes
Conditionexcellent

Lot & Site

Lot Size0.1601 acres (6,970 SF)
Topographysloping
Parkingdriveway_and_off-street
Parking Spaces3
FrontagePond frontage/overlook per listing description; setting among trees within Riverwalk community.

Utilities

Zoning & Land Use

DescriptionResidential / planned community (Riverwalk) — individual lots within a planned subdivision; specific PUD/CCR may apply
JurisdictionTown of Highlands / Macon County (apply locally)

Allowed Uses

Single family residenceAccessory structures per covenantsShort term rental may be allowed subject to town/covenant rules
Current Useresidential

Tax & Sale History

Tax Assessment

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