About Macon County, NC

Franklin, NC - Winter here usually is not this bad

I moved here to Franklin, NC back in 1993, two weeks after the winter storm of "93". Originally from Glens Falls NY and moved to Ft. Myers, Fl because I hated winters. I just can not stand to be cold period. Franklin is an area that usually does not get really bad winter wheather like we have had this year or I wouldn't live here. :O)

This was this past Thursday in Clarks Chapel Community Franklin,NC.

I made it home way before the snow was sticking to the ground. I learned my lesson from last Frinday when it switched so quick from rain to snow I found myself on the side of the road so scared I wanted to cry but I did crawl & slide home and made it safely.

Slippery Driveway

Here is a night shot at my house.

It is so beautiful when it snows. I love going out to play in it but I am done after about a day or so and want it to go away and come back another day.

Frozen ice on the trees. The pasture next door to me. Where's the Cows?

And now its all melted from the rain!

The days of winter here this year sure brought back a lot of good memories of Upstate NY. I did enjoy snow sledding, snow mobling, ice skating when I was a kid but I still hated the cold.

I love the mountains of Franklin,NC even though we have had a cold, snowy winter.

This is GOD'S Country!

HINT: Winter is the BEST time to look at land in Franklin,NC click here!

I have specialized in wild trout stream, secluded properties. I have extensive knowledge of the surrounding areas for the past 25yrs. As past president of the Rainbow Springs river association and realtor , I can accurately state the following relevant to the Rainbow Springs area: Recent average price for Macon county side river/lake lots per acre has been 120K+ range. The average price for clay county river front only is 50K per acre and river/ lake property 90K The average cost for building square footage to be $125.00. Add 30K for site prep, well and septic. These costs reflect depressed market and were higher several years ago. The remoteness of the area drives up sq ft costs. I speak from experience. Consider that contractors spend over 1 hr per day just on drive time and the subs hate the distance which means you end up paying more to build in this area.

The Rainbow springs community area is really an anomaly due to the fact it is completely surrounded by NFS land, bordered by the Rainbow Springs Club ( a 5000+ acre private hunting preserve that has been deeded to a conservancy). Additionally, the Rainbow springs club is bordered by the Standing Indian Wilderness area and NFS. All of which means the Nantahala river that flows across the area properties is completely protected from development, deforestation and other adverse affects. The water quality is outstanding, clear and pure. The wild life is abundant. The Nantahala river of course is what feeds into the beautiful Lake Nantahala. large % of the lake shore is also NFS creating one of the most beautiful lakes east of the Mississippi.

The question becomes what is it worth to own a part of something so rare? This is what drives the fact that there are really no other homes on the market in this area. (in fact there are a few other homes but I wouldnt recommend touching them!) Point is that people really hang on to these properties. The final analysis: This area is the only way to go to get the value of remote, extremely private, protected land that includes ownership of both river and lake frontage. The people in this area all really value those qualities. Think about it....how many places offer river frontage, lake frontage, ultra-remote, great neighbors and have deeded fishing/hunting rights for the entire community?

Finally, I could point to other many other areas in Western North Carolina that have good selection of homes either on "rivers" or "lakes". I feel that None will come close to the offerings and profile of rainbow springs area. It really does come down to the personal value someone places on such an rare area.

Hwy. 64 West of Franklin, NC - Nantahala River - Rainbow Springs Franklin, NC.

I was out last Saturday before last showing a house, Rainbow Springs/Nantahala area in Franklin, NC 28734. As we drove up the mountain the ice was massive on the sides of the rock here. I was telling my clients we use to watch ice climbers every year here taking advantage of Mother Nature and having fun climbing. The ice looks like a aqua blue froze to the rock that was blasted out years ago to make way for Hwy. 64 in Franklin, NC. This road leads over to Nantahala Forest, Rainbow Springs, Murphy, Andrews, Brass Town.

Here are a few photo's of the adventure we had.

There were Bear tracks for about a mile on this road to the home I was showing. The Water falls seen here are on Rainbow Springs road that go all the way to the top of the mountain. Its a spectacular site to see. There is a home built right next to these falls.

Here is the home we were looking at for sale. It's really neat and very rare that a home owner sells their property. I looked back at the records and the last sale with a home on this road was 7 years ago and all the others were over 10 years and up. Once you buy in here you don't want to sell. It's almost like a privilege, well it is! This is Nantahala River and if you get in a tube you will end up at the Nantahala Lake approx. 4 miles down. It is protected by the property owners here as to its fishing rights.

It is NOT a “fly-fishing only” stream nor is it “catch & release” stream. The NC “wild trout natural bait waters” “single hook” mountain trout regulations apply, which means it is open for fishing year round, day light hours only, bait is allowed, no treble hooks, and the daily limit is 4 trout over 7 inches. Unfortunately, some property owners believe because it is private waters and stocked privately, those regulations do not apply. It is my understanding that once fish are released in a stream (flowing water) they come under the state of NC management and protectionIn addition, the trout are prey for kingfishers, great blue herons, osprey and now several bands of otters have taken up residence.

Finally and perhaps unbelievably, the river has a “salmon” run every fall and is truly a unusual event for any river area in the southeast. It is a gated community and now you can imagine why the locals protect their property up here.

SOLD - SOLD - SOLD

June Tassillo | Classic GMAC Real Estate | junet@dnet.net | 888-858-4507 145 Country Ln., Franklin, NC JUST SOLD! Would you like me to help you find one too? 3Bedroom,3Bath w/screened in deck. $4,000.00 toward Buyers closings cost. What a grea 3BR/3BA Single Family House   offered at $149,777 Year Built 1982 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking 4 Covered spaces Lot Size 1.27 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION 3Bedroom,3Bath w/screened in deck and wrap around porch.Private setting w/Apple trees,Grapevines,big back yard for kids,fenced in front yard for pets.2carports w/addional single car attached garage. All Appliances. Spacious Kitchen w/Lots of cabinets. Open floor plan w/wood burning fireplace for cool evenings or enjoy full length deck just off the living room. Lots of storage space!County says its for a 2br septic but the home has always been 3bedroom. Needs TLC, Elbow Cleaning, a few repairs and it will be a great home and pretty property. 2 added on craft rooms. There is also a Gas tank owned. Family will NOT make any repairs this is an Estate. AS IS ONLY BUT IS OFFERING $4,000 TOWARD BUYERS CLOSING OR FOR REPAIRS!   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central heat - Fireplace - Walk-in closet - Family room - Living room - Bonus/Rec room - Dining room - Dishwasher - Refrigerator - Stove/Oven - Microwave - Basement - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area - inside - Yard   OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES - Lot of house for the money! & Pretty Property   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Contact info: June Tassillo Classic GMAC Real Estate junet@dnet.net 888-858-4507 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jan 9, 2010, 7:11am PST

A little known area above Lake Nantahala where the Nantahala river flows into the lake is an awesome area for fly fishing. It is known as the Rainbow Springs area, which is located above the Nanatahala Lake. It is a remote area, surrounded and bordered by 5+ miles of national forest. It's not well known, but this part of the river actually has its own salmon run during the late fall! (bet you didn't know that) The fish exit the lake and run up the river to an wilderness area known as the "standing Indian" area. I have listings of properties that are only on the river and some properties that have both lake front and river front because they are located right where the river and lake meet. (lakefront/riverfront is a totally unique value ) These are all located in a protected locked gated community and most be shown by Realtor. Do not venture down this road even if the gate is open... you may get locked in and its a long walk out of there!!! Also, some of the properties are located on the other side of river and can only be accessed by driving and fording through the Nantahala River at known groomed river crossings. They require good SUV and local knowledge!

Not only am a realtor, I am also an avoid fly fishing guy and really love this area. Anyone that is looking for awesome fly fishing cabin property would also love this area. I don't believe any thing else with unique features exists like this in the south east. I am knowledgeable on other trout water areas (the snowbirds, hiawaassee and other wilderness areas in the greater Nantahala National Forest areas. I will post more information on future blogs related to Fishing and Grouse Hunting areas. Please feel free to drop me a line is this is use full for you