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.
Turnkey Pondfront Mountain Estate — Riverwalk, Highlands, NC
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.
A 2007 cottage/traditional on 0.16 acres.
Building
Site & utilities
Riverwalk (Highlands)
Researched nearby locations
Location
42 Hemlock Rdg, Highlands, NC 28741
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.
Excellent access to hiking, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation — ideal for owners who value quick access to trails and scenic mountain overlooks.
A factual market snapshot around 42 Hemlock Rdg.
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.
Residential / planned community (Riverwalk) — individual lots within a planned subdivision; specific PUD/CCR may apply
Zoning
Research-indicated uses
- Single Family Residence
- Accessory Structures Per Covenants
- Short Term Rental May Be Allowed Subject To Town/Covenant Rules
What the research supports — and what is still worth verifying.
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.
What stands out about this property.
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
Sources & research confidence.
See where the property research came from and how confidence varies by field.