Smart Money, Retirement Buying Power

Try Out the Mountain Life for Under $100K at Balsam Mountain Preserve

Balsam Mountain Preserve Boarding House Cabins
Published on April 26, 2014

When folks think about the finest gated mountain communities in Western North Carolina, inevitably Balsam Mountain Preserve comes to mind. Set on a 4,400 acre nature preserve in Sylva, luxury mountain homes begin in the high $700k’s. But there’s a secret most folks don’t know and is a brilliant way to “stick your toe in the water” and “try out” mountain living if you’re not sure where to commit yet to a lot or home somewhere else. For the first time, the Boarding House Cabins are priced under $100k and here’s what it includes:

  • Deeded Fractional Ownership
  • 8 Weeks A Year/Unlimited Space Available
  • Full Membership Privileges In Residence 
  • Elegantly furnished cabins have large studio floor plans averaging over 900 square feet
  • Cabins are adjacent to the award winning Boarding House Restaurant

Balsam Mountain Preserve’s Residence Club gives owners all the privileges in the private gated community. For under $100k, you can enter a place with the quality and first class amenity package of a place like Balsam, be a full golf member while in residence with no initiation deposit required, and have a place to stay while vacationing. If you end up not using it as much as you thought you would, you're not deeply invested where it could put financial strain on you. If you love Balsam, as most people do, you can keep it or you can sell it and make a bigger investment in a home. In fact, several people who started as a fractional owner now have Balsam Mountain Preserve homes in the neighborhood. 

This year, Balsam celebrated the 72nd family moving into the neighborhood. Amenities at Balsam Mountain Preserve include:

  • 24 Hour Manned Gated Entrance 
  • 18 Hole Championship Golf Course designed by Arnold Palmer 
  • Award Winning Equestrian Center 
  • Full Service Ruby Valley Sports Complex 
  • Resort-style Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool 
  • Two Har-Tru Tennis Courts 
  • Fitness Center 
  • The Boarding House Restaurant
  • 30 Miles of Hiking Trails 
  • Dark Ridge Camp

We think the cost of ownership of a Boarding House Cabin is ridiculously low at this gated mountain community in Western North Carolina. $5,000 for the entire year which includes maintenance, club dues, and POA dues. The cabins are cozy and perfect for those who don't want to spend all day in the kitchen although the cabins do have studio style kitchens. Features include high vaulted ceilings, a stone fireplace, outdoor screened in balcony, old fashioned pedestal tub, natural element interior finishes and much more.

Here’s another way of looking at it. If you hold the cabin for 20 years, the cost for a one week vacation at Balsam would be about $1,200 including the annual fees and remember, you would own 8 weeks or more. However, you would also own an appreciating asset in one of the finest mountain communities in Western North Carolina free and clear. We encourage you to stay on property through Balsam Mountain Preserve’s Discovery Package. This will give you the chance to try out the amenities and incredible culinary experiences at The Boarding House.