Property listing for 50 Kennedy Dr, Marion, NC 28752
ActiveSingle Family Home

$725,000

50 Kennedy Dr, Marion, NC 28752

Modern 4BR Mountain Retreat on 5.35 Acres with 30x60 Shop

4 Bed · 3 Bath · 2,650 Sq Ft

Turnkey 2022 home with finished walk-out basement and powered shop, minutes to Lake James

4

Beds

3

Baths

2,650

Sq Ft

2022

Built

5.35 acres

Lot

No attached garage; 30x60 detached powered shop

Garage

About 50 Kennedy Dr

This thoughtfully built 2022 residence at 50 Kennedy Dr delivers modern comfort and genuine mountain character across approximately 2,650 finished square feet on ~5.35 acres. The main level provides comfortable everyday living with clear sightlines to covered porches that frame long-range mountain views. A custom pecan mantle from Oak Hill Iron Works anchors the living area with gas-log warmth and visual character. The home's layout emphasizes flexibility: the finished walk-out basement has a private entry—ideal for a guest suite, home office, in-law setup, or entertaining space.

Outdoor living is designed for enjoyment and utility. Covered front and back porches extend seasonal living and overlook a creek and mixed woodland/meadow areas. The property hosts established berry plantings and a dedicated fire pit area that make the yard instantly usable for gatherings. The standout utility asset is a 30x60 shop equipped with power and water—perfect for vehicles, woodworking, hobbyists, or storage and an exceptional functional amenity for this price tier.

Location strikes a rare balance between privacy and convenience: you’re minutes from Lake James (recreation, boating and trails) and a short drive to downtown Marion’s restaurants and services. There’s no HOA and no city taxes to restrict your use of the land or the shop. Recent construction means modern building systems and minimal immediate maintenance—making this property well-suited for buyers seeking a turnkey mountain-lifestyle home with workspace and room to roam.

Practical details: 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, main-level living plus finished basement with private entrance, covered porches, creek frontage, established plantings, and the oversized powered shop. Contact listing agent Jessica Barlow to schedule a showing and request permit/utility records. This is a rare offering for buyers who want acreage, a functional shop, and lake-adjacent recreation without sacrificing modern comforts.

Home Highlights

Built 2022 — like-new systems and finishesFinished basement with separate/private entryLarge 30x60 powered & plumbed shop includedOver 5 acres with creek, berry plantings and fire pitMinutes to Lake James with no HOA or city taxes

Property Features

Interior Features

  • 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
  • ~2,650 sqft finished living space
  • Finished walk-out basement with private entry
  • Custom pecan mantle with gas logs (Oak Hill Iron Works)
  • Open, flexible floorplan for multi-use living

Exterior & Lot

  • ~5.35 acres with creek and mixed meadow/woodland
  • Covered front and rear porches
  • Established berry bushes and fire pit area
  • 30x60 detached shop with power and water
  • Private driveway access; no HOA

Location & Neighborhood

  • Minutes to Lake James recreation and boat ramps
  • Short drive to downtown Marion for dining and services
  • Rural, low-density surroundings with neighboring acreage parcels
  • McDowell County jurisdiction

Walkability & Recreation

  • Walkability Rating: 15/100
  • Easy regional access to hiking, boating and fishing at Lake James
  • Nearby scenic drives and mountain vistas
  • Quiet rural roads ideal for biking and horseback

Neighborhood & Location

The property sits in a rural, low-density area outside of central Marion that blends wooded parcels and open meadows. Residents enjoy a slower pace, recreational access to Lake James, and proximity to downtown Marion for essential services. The neighborhood appeals to buyers seeking privacy, outdoor recreation, and functional outbuildings for hobbies or small-scale farming.

Market Insights

Marion and greater McDowell County are value-oriented yet selective markets. Median single-family prices countywide sit well below the list price for this home because this property targets a premium niche: lake-proximate acreage with a turnkey modern home and a sizable outbuilding. Inventory for comparable acreage and lake-area homes is relatively thin, which supports pricing when a property is turnkey and offers unique amenities (shop, finished basement, views). Expect a buyer pool of regional owner-occupiers (Charlotte/Hickory buyers willing to commute for lifestyle), second-home buyers seeking Lake James access, and trade-skilled buyers valuing the shop. Marketing should emphasize the 30x60 shop, recent construction (2022), finished basement with separate entry, and immediate proximity to Lake James. DOM in Marion can vary; well-priced, well-presented premium acreage homes often attract competitive and patient buyers.

Nearby Schools

McDowell County Schools

District · varies

N/A

Marion Elementary

Elementary · ~5-8 miles (district-dependent)

5-6/10 (approx.)

McDowell Middle School

Middle · ~6-10 miles

5/10 (approx.)

McDowell High School

High · ~6-10 miles

4-6/10 (approx.)

Walkability & Recreation

15
Walkability
85
Recreation

High recreation value: quick access to Lake James for boating and fishing, nearby hiking and scenic drives in the Blue Ridge foothills, and private trails/pasture on the property itself.

Investment Highlights

  • Newer construction (2022) — modern systems and finishes expected
  • Large 30x60 powered and plumbed workshop — rare and valuable in area
  • Finished walk-out basement with private entry suitable for guest suite or secondary living
  • More than 5 acres with creek, wildlife, and established fruiting/berry plantings
  • Close proximity to Lake James and downtown Marion without HOA or city taxes

Key Findings

  • 4 bed / 3 bath, ~2,650 sqft built 2022; list price $725,000 (Price/SF ≈ $274)
  • Lot ≈ 5.35 acres (233,045 sqft) — provides privacy and usable outbuilding area
  • 30x60 shop with power & water included on property — significant functional asset
  • AVM close to list ($~727,462) supporting current asking price
  • Days on market low (2 DOM) — early-stage listing interest

Things to Consider

  • Utilities not fully documented in scraped data — confirm well/septic and supplier details
  • Zoning/permits for the shop should be verified with McDowell County
  • Higher price tier for the market — may require targeted buyer marketing
  • Rural setting may affect financing options (verify lender criteria for acreage properties)

Opportunity Analysis

Acquire a near-new, turnkey rural residence with multi-use improvements (guest suite + large shop) in a lake-adjacent market niche that commands premiums and attracts owner-occupiers seeking recreation/acreage. Hold for lifestyle use or market to premium buyers seeking hobby-farm/workshop capabilities near Lake James.

Potential Use Scenarios

  • Position listing to outdoor/lake lifestyle buyers and owner-occupier investors; highlight shop and finished basement as separate value drivers
  • Verify and disclose well/septic and shop permits to expedite offers
  • Target regional buyers from Charlotte/Hickory with digital ads emphasizing acreage + Lake James access

Risk Factors

  • Appraisal risk if local comp sales at this price point are sparse
  • Potential additional costs if shop or improvements lack permits
  • Longer marketing time for higher price homes in rural counties

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

AI Valuation Estimate

Low

$690K

Midpoint

$725K

High

$760K

$273.58/SF estimated price per square foot

65% confidence

Estimate anchored to current list price of $725,000 and AVM ($727,462). Range reflects premium for acreage, newer construction (2022), finished basement and large shop; adjusted downward/upward for comparables and rural location farther from major metros. No live comparable sales search performed.

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$325,000
Avg Days on Market45 days
Inventory4.5 months
1-Year Appreciation+400.0%

Demographics

Population (1 mi)1,200
Median Income (1 mi)$52,000

McDowell County sees modest growth; demand for acreage and lake-adjacent homes has been stronger than general county inventory over past 3–5 years.

Nearby Points of Interest

  • Lake James (approx. 5-12 minutes)
  • Downtown Marion (approx. 10 minutes)

Minutes from Lake James recreation, local hiking and mountain trails, small-town dining and services in Marion; regional access to Hickory/Charlotte via US-70/I-40 corridors.

School District

DistrictMcDowell County Schools
ElementaryMarion Elementary (approx. 5-6/10)
MiddleMcDowell Middle School (approx. 5/10)
HighMcDowell High School (approx. 4-6/10)

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

Property Details

Building Details

Year Built2022
Constructionwood frame
Stories2
Roofasphalt shingle
Heatinggas logs noted; likely central heating (not explicitly recorded)
Coolinglikely central air (not explicitly recorded)
Basementfinished
FireplaceYes
Conditionexcellent

Lot & Site

Lot Size5.3479 acres (233,045 SF)
Topographysloping
Parkingdriveway_and_outbuilding
Parking Spaces8
FrontagePrivate drive off Kennedy Drive; wooded and open meadow areas with creek frontage

Utilities

Waterlikely well (not recorded)
Sewerlikely septic (not recorded)
Electricconnected (shop has power)
Gaspropane or natural gas for logs (gas logs present)

Zoning & Land Use

DescriptionRural residential / county zoning likely permits single-family dwellings, accessory structures, and agricultural uses; specific code should be confirmed with county planning.
JurisdictionMcDowell County

Allowed Uses

Single family residenceAccessory buildings (shop/barn)Limited agricultural/hobby farm uses
Current Useresidential

Tax & Sale History

Tax Assessment

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