Sales comparison approach using 3 comparable sales within 0.5 miles sold in last 6 months. Adjusted for lot size and construction year. Assessed value of $228,900 appears below market.
Arts & Crafts 3BR/2BA on Nearly One Acre with Wraparound Deck
The moment you pull onto Ruff Road the generous 0.93‑acre setting becomes the story: a one‑level Arts & Crafts home finished in 2023 with a covered front porch and a wraparound deck that turns the yard into an extension of the living room. The mostly‑level lot provides space for gardens, play, and privacy between neighbors while keeping the property easy to maintain.
Inside, an open plan centers on an island kitchen with granite countertops and sightlines to the living area where a gas‑log fireplace with a brick surround anchors everyday gatherings. Thoughtful finishes — durable vinyl siding outside, central air and a heat pump — make this modern build feel settled and practical. The single‑story layout places three bedrooms and two full baths within easy reach, all within 1,344 square feet set for efficient living.
Function meets rural convenience here: the home is on well water and a private septic system, utilities served by Duke Energy, and parking provided by a shared driveway. With no attached garage, the long lot still delivers outdoor flexibility — room for future storage or a detached structure (verify permitting). Annual taxes are modest per current assessed values, and the original new‑construction sale in October 2023 signals most near‑term maintenance is already behind the next owner.
Lifestyle and location combine: Leicester Elementary is under a mile away (approximately 0.4 mile), and downtown Asheville is an easy 12‑mile drive when you need city restaurants, arts, and employment. For buyers seeking a peaceful residential/agricultural mix with modern amenities, this Arts & Crafts home balances country calm and regional access. Note: shared driveway maintenance and school ratings are items to review during due diligence.
See the properties helping shape the valuation.
Comparable sales
- 63 SF smaller
- Similar lot size
- Same year built
- 51 SF larger
- 0.5 additional bathrooms
- Similar lot size
- Same year built
- 140 SF larger
- 9,490 SF larger lot
- 2 years newer
A 2023 arts and crafts on 0.93 acres.
Building
Site & utilities
Leicester, NC
Researched nearby locations
Location
7 Ruff Rd, Leicester, NC 28748
Leicester offers a relaxed, semi‑rural character where residential lots sit alongside agricultural parcels and small community amenities. Families appreciate quick access to Leicester Elementary and a short commute into Asheville for dining, arts, and services. The neighborhood favors outdoor lifestyles — fields, country roads, and nearby regional trail systems invite weekend exploration while local roads remain quiet for everyday living. Expect a blend of new construction and established homes, modest traffic, and a community feel rather than urban bustle.
Strong access to outdoor recreation with local green spaces and a short drive to the greater Asheville trail network for hiking, biking, and scenic drives; neighborhood roads and nearby fields support casual walking and biking.
A factual market snapshot around 7 Ruff Rd.
Leicester is currently tipping toward a buyer’s market: inventory sits higher than in nearby Asheville and homes in the area average roughly 127 days on market, with about 3.5 months of inventory. Median sale prices in the broader area are reported near $475,000, but recent comparable new‑construction closings within a half‑mile of Ruff Road cluster in the $400K–$420K range — supporting a local price per square foot near $300–$325 and a valuation midpoint of about $410,000 for this 1,344 SF Arts & Crafts home. Newer single‑family construction like this one tends to attract buyers who value low‑maintenance systems and large lots, but sellers should expect negotiated offers and longer marketing timelines compared with tighter urban submarkets. For investor buyers, rental demand from the Asheville market supports estimated monthly rents near $2,200 (gross yield ~6.4%), while owner‑occupants can capitalize on recent steady, if modest, appreciation. In short: motivated buyers can find negotiating leverage; sellers should price competitively and highlight the home’s turnkey condition and oversized lot.
Open Use
Zoning
Research-indicated uses
- Residential
- Agricultural
- Commercial
Assessment data and recorded transactions.
Assessed value is kept visually separate from the CompCasa market-value estimate.
Tax assessment
Sale history
Rental references from the research record.
Context only—not an investment recommendation or guarantee of achievable rent.
Supporting lease references
- 1,566 SF larger
- 2 additional bedrooms
- 2 additional bathrooms
What the research supports — and what is still worth verifying.
Key findings
- Property sold in October 2023 for $380,000 ($283/SF)
- Assessed value $228,900 (land $18,800, improvements $210,100) — annual taxes $1,572
- Zoned Open Use (OU) allowing residential, agricultural, and commercial uses
- Comparable sales within 0.5 miles in last 6 months range $400K–$420K
- Average days on market in Leicester: 127 days (buyer's market)
Still worth verifying
Routine buyer due diligence items; these are not known defects.
- Confirm lot dimensions and boundaries
- Verify construction permits and final inspections
- Review shared driveway maintenance agreements
- Professional home inspection
- Confirm utility connections and capacities
What stands out about this property.
Interior Features
- Open floor plan
- Kitchen island with granite countertops
- Gas‑log fireplace with brick surround
- Three bedrooms, two full baths
- Central air and heat pump
- Single‑story layout (1,344 SF)
Exterior & Lot
- 0.93‑acre mostly level lot
- Covered front porch and wraparound deck
- Vinyl siding and asphalt shingle roof
- Shared driveway (parking for approximately 2 vehicles)
- Well water and private septic
- No attached garage
Location & Neighborhood
- Leicester Elementary School (0.4 mi)
- Approximately 12 miles to downtown Asheville
- Residential and agricultural surroundings
- Buncombe County — Canopy MLS
Walkability & Recreation
- Walkability Rating: 30/100 — Car‑Dependent
- Nearby parks and open green spaces
- Hiking and biking within a short drive to Asheville area trails
- Easy access to regional outdoor recreation and scenic drives
- Community and country living with nearby school access
Sources & research confidence.
See where the property research came from and how confidence varies by field.