Eliza Theiss As the 9th most populous state in the union and boasting two vibrant business hubs in Metro Charlotte and the Research Triangle, North Carolina’s real estate market is buzzing. Home prices and bidding wars are on the rise in both major hubs and, following national trends, inventories are trending downwards. But when it comes to the North Carolina luxury real estate market, the most expensive homes for sale are outside the state’s largest cities.
Indeed, looking at the most expensive homes for sale in North Carolina right now, it’s evident that well-heeled buyers prefer large estates close to water or the state’s breathtaking mountain ranges. With tens of acres of woodland and pasture, ornate landscaping, pools, thousands of square feet of outdoor living space, the Tar Heel State’s priciest homes are all about luxurious living surrounded by nature. When not located amidst tens of acres of forests and pastures, these pricey homes sit on private lake- and ocean-fronts, with expansive views and abundant natural light.
In-home theaters, private gyms, gourmet kitchens and bars are a must. Wine cellars, outdoor kitchens, guest homes, cathedral ceilings and over-sized garages are also popular, with the odd Roman bath, private waterfall and boat lift also making an appearance. As for the #1 most expensive home for sale in North Carolina right now, the 5-bed estate offers 270-degree ocean views and was inspired by one of the greatest American novels ever written – Moby Dick.
10
1453 Mountain Springs Road, Linville
Asking price: $6,900,000
Reduced by a whopping $2.2 million, this 29-acre estate offers a uniquely private opportunity, with the Nature Conservancy of Grandfather Mountain State Park abutting on three sides, and the Grandfather Golf and Country Club on the remaining property line. The 4-bed main home offers 11,770 square feet of luxurious rustic-style living, joined by a 1,360-square-foot guest cottage and a 2,100-square-foot detached building with an apartment atop the 3-car garage. Amenities include a theater, private gym, 60-foot indoor lap pool, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, entertainment lounge with pool area, 3 miles of private walking trails, streams, an outdoor fire pit, waterfalls and acres upon acres of pristine forest.
9
104 Nathaniel Court, Mooresville
Asking price: $6,950,000
Offering nearly 21,000 square feet of extremely private living space, this 3.7-acre property sits on the shores of Lake Norman boasting its own private pier complete with boat lift, and is just steps from Trump National Golf Club Charlotte. The 5-bed property features a double pool, spa, and outdoor fireplace, with manicured lawns, a tennis court, mature trees, and ample terrace and deck space making it ideal for entertaining.
Add the 10+ seat theater, chef’s kitchen, wine cellar, recreation lounge with pool area and entertaining kitchen, two-story foyer and formal entertaining areas, and parties practically organize themselves. The large-scale home also features a private fitness center and a large workshop.
9
657 Smoky Ridge Road, Cullowhee
Asking price: $6,950,000
Built in 1972, this 2-story farmhouse is all about a slower way of life. The nearly 240-acre estate offers spectacular mountain views, walkways, picnic areas, abundant forests, streams, ponds, and private Lake Glenville frontage complete with dock. Gardens – including edible gardens –, open and fenced-in pastures, a barn and ample space makes this estate well-suited for equestrian facilities. The property also boasts an outdoor cooking and dining area with grill and wood-burning oven, as well as decks. The 3-bed home itself frames breathtaking views through over-sized windows, with an outdoor deck looking even further beyond.
8
7505 New Sharon Church Road, Rougemont
Asking price: $6,995,000
Known as Eagle Ridge Estate, this 7-bed property is just 30 minutes from Duke University and close to a private airport. Available for purchase with 120 or 250 acres of land, the massive estate offers everything from park-like grounds, French gardens, pastures, ample forests, and water features such as ponds and fountains, making it perfect for equestrian opportunities. There’s also garage parking for 4 cars, as well as ample covered parking for additional vehicles.
There’s generous outdoor living space, with an outdoor living room, balconies, terraces, and a pool deck offering far-reaching views and outdoor dining. There are several fireplaces in the nearly 16,000-square-foot home, and over-sized windows bring in natural light. Amenities include a chef’s kitchen, a butler’s pantry, over-sized walk-in closets, a grand foyer, an entertainment lounge with bar and pool area, a 10-seat in-home theater and a private gym.
8
Asking price: $6,995,000
One of Jackson County’s premier estates, this 5-bed property comes with a bevy of water features. The 5,000-square-foot home was designed by Al Platt and enjoys direct views of no less than 3 waterfalls, while Knob Creek runs through the property. The 2-story home also overlooks a pond perfect for swimming. Rolling pastures and park-like mature forests make up much of the estate, ensuring that it is perfect for those who enjoy having nature close by.
Indoors, there’s a fitness center, walk-in closets, a guest suite, a library, several fireplaces, skylights, a formal dining room and a children’s playroom. There’s garage parking for two cars as well as golf carts, while porches, balconies and decks offer abundant outdoor living space.
7
Asking price: $7,000,000
The Queen City’s #1 most expensive home for sale right now, this 2-story, 6-bed Tudor–inspired beauty comes with 4.5 acres of grounds and over 10,000 square feet of indoor living space. Following the plans of 10124 Sweatleaf Place in The Sanctuary, the lavish home also enjoys a non-HOA status, meaning there are no rules for parties, events or numbers of guests. Amenities include an outdoor pool and spa, an indoor-outdoor kitchen with grilling station, an outdoor living room complete with fireplace, and a pool house. Over-sized windows, cathedral ceilings, fireplaces and a bevy of decks and balconies provide a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
6
168 Broad Sound Place, Mooresville
Asking price: $7,450,000
Originally listed for $8,495,000, this 1.74-acre gated estate on Lake Norman enjoys pristine water views with fabulous sunsets over the water. Featuring nearly 10,000 square feet of indoor living space and more than 5,000 square feet of outdoor living space, this home offers luxe living throughout. The main home and British West Indies-style guest cabana offer up a wine room, a billiards lounge complete with wet bar, soaring ceilings, over-sized windows, a Chicago-style bar, a gourmet kitchen and formal entertaining areas. Outdoors, it’s all about relaxation with the infinity saltwater pool and spa, fire pit, outdoor living room, and pier.
5
7422 Sea Lilly Lane, Wilmington
Asking price: $8,200,000
Stretching across 12 acres with 750 feet of water frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway, the Sea Lilly is a boating enthusiast’s dream. Landscaped with more than 1,700 palms, and boasting a pier, a gazebo, a deck and a 24-foot boat slip, the Sea Lilly offers an exotic resort experience within easy reach of Wilmington. The generous lawns are ideal for helicopter landings, and more than 6,000 square feet of porches, decks and patios add to the outdoor living experience along with an over-sized heated pool, a sunken hot tub, a lighted tennis court, a basketball half-court and golfing opportunities.
A 3-bed main house, 2-bed guest house and 1-bed pool house offer up 8,633 square feet of indoor living space and climate-controlled parking for 6 cars. Indoor amenities include an infrared sauna, an indoor-outdoor kitchen with commercial-grade grill, a fitness center, a home office, and multiple kitchens.
4
Asking price: $9,950,000
Basking in views of the Great Smoky Mountains, this 4-bed home evokes the lavish opulence of European estates on 2 acres of landscaped grounds with mature trees. Coffered ceilings and over-sized windows bring the outdoors in, with 6 fireplaces creating a warm environment for gatherings whether large or small, formal or otherwise.
Parties are a breeze thanks to the gourmet kitchen, wine room, pool lounge with bar, outdoor living room, and wrap-around terrace. The 12,046-square-foot home is bedecked with luxurious finishes such as Jerusalem limestone, quarter-sawn oak, custom cabinetry and abundant marble. The lavish residence also boasts a private gym and an in-home elevator.
3
1534 Silver Run Road, Cashiers
Asking price: $9,965,000
Sprawling across 287 acres of rolling pastures and mature forests, Silver Run Estate was assembled by the Neely family as a private family estate almost 40 years ago. Close to downtown Cashiers, the grand estate has endless potential, abutting conservation areas and the Wade Hampton Golf Club. Outdoorsmen can enjoy abundant wildlife, and 3 large ponds as well as the Silver Run Creek.
Those seeking a more sophisticated experience can relax in the indoor pool and spa, or host large gatherings thanks to the sizeable kitchen and lavish formal areas – with everything bathed in natural light in the 5-bed main home. Designed by Jim Fox, the 16,000-square-foot home is joined by a 3-bed guest house, designed as a rustic makeover of the main residence, as well as a 3-bed caretaker’s home with more than 27,000 square feet of living space.
2
Asking price: $10,750,000
Located in affluent Biltmore Forest – a historic preservation district since 1990 – this 5-bed French chateau can be found close to Biltmore Forest Country Club. Despite all the golfing activity nearby, the nearly 2-acre estate enjoys plenty of privacy thanks to French and Italian gardens with an abundance of mature trees and fine views. Designed with lavish entertaining in mind, the home opens with a grand foyer that reaches its apex with a domed ceiling depicting a map of the old world in gold leaf.
Open, airy, formal entertaining areas abound throughout, with 3 kitchens ensuring that parties go off without a hitch. The Roman bath offers the ultimate unwinding experience with its grand design and in-ground pool and whirlpool, joined by a card lounge, wine tasting room, entertaining kitchen and home theater. The grand oak bar is strategically located for entertaining areas, and the limestone terrace allows for events to spill outdoors.
1
710 Shoals Watch Way, Bald Head Island
Asking price: $11,990,000
Reigning as the #1 most expensive home for sale in North Carolina right now, Castello dello Belena – Castle of the Whale – is a 5-bed waterfront home with 270-degree views of the ocean. Situated 44 feet above sea level, all bedrooms have ocean views as well as decks and porches, while the rooftop deck allows for sunset and sunrise views on the water. The 5,514-square-foot home overlooks Cape Fear, South and East Beach on Bald Head Island, and the 22-mile Frying Pan Shoals. The luxurious estate also boasts its own private beach boardwalk.
Inspired by Moby Dick, the Chuck Dietsche-imagined home features a unique design, meant to provide privacy on lower floors, while the living space takes on an open airy design, with an eye-catching interior that evokes a whale skeleton. A wraparound deck encourages outdoor living, while the over-sized windows ensure water views from almost every room, including the entertainment room, complete with a theater-style media lounge.
The custom-built kitchen has the latest in appliances and master lighting allows for seamless control. Landscaped walkways create an outdoor oasis complete with fiberglass shower. The estate also features an in-home elevator, an office and a master suite above the 2-cart garage – most cars are banned on Bald Head Island with residents travelling by golf carts around the upscale community.
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Methodology
In order to determine which were the most expensive homes for sale in North Carolina, we looked at all residential properties listed for sale, taking into account condo, co-op, and single- and two-family homes. All package deals were excluded.
