In the trees, close to a downtown (Waynesville: houses, utilities)

[goldenage1]

Originally Posted by Bryophyta

..
....Yes we do need good internet (work from home.)

If you are lucky, there will be fiber optic service.

BTW, based on past comments here, building will be much more expensive than buying an existing place. Good luck with your search.

[Lizap]

Originally Posted by Bryophyta

This is such a helpful forum.

NCN good story and good advice



It's such a challenging environment for buyers I've actually wondered if building would be preferable.



Smart. Yes we do need good internet (work from home.)

Building costs are very high here - you’re going to be much better off buying an existing house.

[motordavid]

+1 for above, imo.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Lizap

Building costs are very high here - you’re going to be much better off buying an existing house.

Unless perhaps utilizing a reputable kit/log home builder versus the typical custom home builders and the nightmares often involved with varying subcontractors. You can find some nice options under 300K turnkey (not Metro Asheville however).

[Lizap]

A tad above your price range, but in Kenmure, a lovely community in Flat Rock.

https://www.beverly-hanks.com/search...-28731/3900643

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Lizap

A tad above your price range, but in Kenmure, a lovely community in Flat Rock.

https://www.beverly-hanks.com/search...-28731/3900643

Nice!

I wanted to show them though what could be found in a traditional NC mountain home which seems budget-friendlier for the OP's criteria for altitude, trees and close to a downtown.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...4_M93749-51263

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...7_M50363-88408

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M50907-27165

[Bryophyta]

You should have seen my husband and I looking through those listings, we were so excited! Thank you both!

[beckycat]

Definitely keep your options open and don't limit to one or two areas. I am confident you'll find something

[Bryophyta]

Are the property taxes relatively low throughout the WNC region?

[getatag]

Here is a rough idea of property tax from county to county in NC.

https://www.ncacc.org/research-and-p.../property-tax/

This chart lists Avery as .55% but a recent re-eval brought it down to .40%, the same could have happened to other counties depending upon their re-eval schedules.