Balsam Mountain Preserve

Real Estate

The selection of real estate offerings at Balsam Mountain Preserve include dramatic mountain-view homesites, a special collection of Featured Builder and private resale homes, and a private residence club ownership opportunity that is available to only 40 families.

Mountain Views, Habitat Review
Homesites on Balsam Mountain Preserve offer breathtaking mountain views, soothing stream sounds and dramatic elevations. Elevations range from 3,000-4,700 feet, and homesite sizes average 1.5 to 2 acres. Adding to the sense of openness, nearly every property touches a portion of the 3,400-acre conservation easement.

The Community Habitat Review Board ensures that every home is designed and constructed according to strict guidelines to help protect future property values. From small, intimate cabins, to mountain contemporary, to mountain rustic, there are homes here that fit the lifestyle and tastes of every family.

• 4,400-acre property with only 400 homesteads
  • Density equates to one home every 12 acres
• Mountain view homesteads start at $195,000
• Homes available for purchase from $795,000 to $5 million+
• Private Residence Club – shares start in the $90,000s

Amenities Description

• 4,400-acre private mountain golf, equestrian & recreation community
• 3,400 acres form a permanent conservation easement
• 24-hour security
• Arnold Palmer Signature golf course
  • Magnificent mountain views with elevations reaching 3,700 feet
  • Golf practice park
  • 30,000 sf of bentgrass teeing area spread over three levels of tees
  • Short game area, large practice putting green
• Equestrian center with stables, 30 miles of private trails
• Boarding House Lodge and dining room
• Ruby Valley Sports Camp for families and friends
  • Swim, play tennis, watch the big game, planned social activities
• The Pavilion anchors the Sports Camp
  • Open-air structure with great room
  • Card tables, high definition TV,  family games including foosball and ping-pong
• Fitness Center
  • Aerobic and weight equipment, pilates and yoga classes
• Nature Center-  A social and educational heartbeat of the community
  • Three full time, on-site naturalists
  • Year-round programs for members of all ages
  • Guided nature hikes, bird watching classes
  • Family focused programs led by an activities director
  • Visiting artist program, summer kids camps

Area Description

Balsam Mountain Preserve is located at mile marker 90 on the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway (Hwy 23/74) between the vibrant mountain towns of Waynesville and Sylva, just 38 miles from downtown Asheville. It is without question one of the easiest high-elevation mountain communities to access in the entire Southeast.

• The town of Sylva is located just five minutes from the Preserve’s main gatehouse. A charming town of about 2,500 residents. All the conveniences are here – grocery stores, banks, shopping, and medical care, including Harris Regional Hospital. Sylva’s downtown is thriving, with unique restaurants and shops lining its tree-lined streets
• Educational and cultural opportunities abound, with Western Carolina University located only 7 miles away in Cullowhee
• Located just 10 minutes from the main gatehouse, the dynamic town of Waynesville is one of the true gems of western North Carolina. The heart of Waynesville is its wonderful downtown area complete with top-notch restaurants, shopping, and art galleries
• You’ll also find a performing arts center, a community college, and a regional hospital here. Most any retail shopping need can be satisfied in Waynesville, Super Wal Mart, to Best Buy, Lowes, and Petsmart, and they’re all easily accessible to Balsam Mountain Preserve residents
• The Blue Ridge Parkway, a thriving arts and restaurant community, and Biltmore Estate top the list of Asheville’s best-known delights. Downtown, with its funky charm and secrets to be discovered, awaits, as do day trips to surrounding towns and attractions.

Discovery Package

Considering a real estate purchase in the mountains of western North Carolina? Then you’re invited to enjoy the wonders of Balsam with its special “Experience Balsam Package.”

• Choose from accommodations in a private one-bedroom mountaintop cabin or an expansive four-bedroom mountain home with the opportunity to explore Balsam and the surrounding area.
• Play golf, take a guided horseback ride, explore with a naturalist, relax in the Boarding House Lodge or visit the quaint nearby mountain towns of Waynesville and Sylva.
• Stay in a cozy Residence Club Cabin complete with fireplace
• And more!

GCH Quick Review

Editors of the GolfCourseHome Network have stayed in Balsam’s fabulous club cabins and can vouch for the wonderful experience they provide as well as the magnificent views from the screened-in porches.

You’ll never get tired of the magnificent sweep of the property, the mountain views and the friendly people. We met several members at the community pool and they were warm, welcoming and made us feel right at home.

A Real Hide-Away
You’ll also enjoy dining in the Boarding House Lodge and the stunning property overall. If you want a real hide-away to get back in touch with your loved ones, this is the place.

For more information, use the inquiry form on the right, or call 866-452-3456.

Awards & Honors

• Named a Green Golf Community, ‘Vanguard’ Level,’ by GolfCourseHome® Network, 2009
• Named to the “Top 100 Communities in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure Golf, 2008, 2009
• Rated the “Best New Golf Course in North Carolina” by N.C. Business Magazine, 2009
• Named one of “The Top 30 Golf Courses in North Carolina” by N.C. Business Magazine, 2009, 2010, 2011
• Named “Best Of The Best, Top 20 Communities in the U.S.” by LINKS Magazine, 2009
• Winner of the “Best Preservation Practices” and “Best Outdoor Fun” awards by Mountain Homes Magazine, 2009
• Named one of “America’s Top 100 Premier Properties” by LINKS Magazine, 2007-2009
• Winner of the “Best Preservation Practices” and “Best Outdoor Fun” awards by Mountain Homes Magazine, 2009
• Winner of the “Best Preserve” award by Pinnacle Living Magazine, 2008
• Ranked as the No. 11 “Best New Private Course in The U.S.” by Golf Digest, 2008″

Golf Course Home Green Community

• Green Golf Community: Vanguard

Additional Information

Private Residence Club Program

• The Private Residence Club is a unique program that serves as an intelligent “entry point” into the community for families not quite ready to purchase a homesite or completed residence
• Resident Club owners purchase a deeded interest in 10 distinctively designed cabins located on a majestic ridge at 3,700 feet in elevation. The Residence Club program offers owners the flexibility of reserving two guaranteed weeks each season (a total of eight weeks annually), coupled with the added benefit of unlimited additional time on a space available basis
• Resident Club privileges include full club membership while in residence, which includes access to the Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, horseback riding, the nature center and much more

Nearest Airport

• Asheville Regional Airport, about 45 minutes away

Driving Directions

From Asheville, Charlotte, and Greenville

• From the I-40/I-26 interchange in Asheville, take I-40 West towards Knoxville
• Stay on I-40 for about 15 minutes until you come to Exit 27
• Take Exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountain Expressway) towards Waynesville
• Follow the highway through Waynesville
• About 5 minutes outside Waynesville, pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway
• At this point, start looking at the mile markers on the right side of the highway
• At mile marker 90, get in the left hand lane
• Look for a left turn lane just ahead–take this onto Preserve Drive

From Atlanta

• Take I-985 through Gainesville until it turns into Highway 441
• Stay on Highway 441 all the way through Franklin and on into Sylva
• In Sylva, take Highway 23/74 (Great Smoky Mountain Expressway) toward Waynesville
• Drive about five minutes and start looking at mile markers on the right side of the road
• Pass mile marker 91, look for Preserve Road on your right in about 3/4

Get Directions From Your Location