Active

85 & 95 Ralph Thomas Road

Highlands, NC 28741
Mark as Favorite
Bed 5

Bed

Bath 5

Bath

SqFt4,164

Sqft

Acres0.97

Acre(Lot)

A rare two-home Highlands retreat just four minutes from Main Street, this exceptional offering was originally built by renowned local craftsman Ralph Thomas and thoughtfully updated for modern mountain living. Privately set among the trees near the Mirror Lake area, the property spans approximately one acre across two lots and offers an uncommon blend of craftsmanship, flexibility, privacy, recreational access, and income-producing potential. Together, the residences provide approximately 4,500 square feet of interior living space, five bedrooms, five full baths, multiple flexible guest rooms and office spaces, two laundry/utility areas, four full-size refrigerators, and abundant indoor-outdoor living space. More than 2,000 square feet of decking includes a 400-square-foot cathedral-styl e screened porch, permanent seating areas, two fire pits, an outdoor stove, and peaceful spaces for gathering, dining, or relaxing beneath the tree canopy. The setting is both private and convenient, with winter mountain views, summer forest-canopy vistas, and more than 130 trees planted along the perimeter in 2020 to enhance the secluded feel. A private paved driveway provides access within a quiet enclave adjoining Mirror Lake, while nearby gravel roads, waterfalls, streams, hiking trails, Skyline Lodge, and downtown Highlands place the best of the Plateau close at hand. The primary residence underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2020 while preserving its original Adirondack camp character. Original wormy chestnut cabinetry and wood flooring remain, complemented by Bosch and Liebherr appliances, updated baths, a screened outdoor living area with electric screens, a metal roof, and replacement windows and doors throughout. Additional features include two wood-burning fireplaces, a gas river-rock fireplace, two garages with space for three vehicles, workshop areas, guest parking, high-speed internet service with fiber-optic availability, and a generator serving both homes. The second residence has been upgraded to strengthen rental appeal and has generated up to $60,000 annually in long & short-term rental income. Located outside the Town of Highlands limits, the property benefits from the absence of municipal rental restrictions, offering flexibility for personal use, guest accommodations, or investment income. With two distinct homes, refined updates, original craftsmanship, outdoor living, and proven rental performance, this is a truly distinctive Highlands property.

Read More Expand

Detail Ic Property Details

Property Type : Residential

Price : $2,950,000

AD Id : 86438893

MLS Id : CAR4395002

Beds : 5

Lot Size : 0.97 Acre

Living Area Size : 4,164

Year Built : 1974

Garage : 3

County : Macon

  • Map Map

Map

Map What's Nearby

Map Nearby Areas

Feature Features

  • Bedroom Information

    Total Bedroom: 5

    Bathroom Information

    Total Baths: 5 Full Baths: 5

    Room Information

    Has Basement: Yes

    Interior Features

    Other - See Remarks Roof: Architectural Shingle Appliances: Dishwasher, Electric Range, Microwave, Refrigerator with Ice Maker, Washer/Dryer, Other Laundry Features: Laundry Room, Multiple Locations, Other - See Remarks

    Roofing Information

    Architectural Shingle
  • Flooring Information

    Flooring: Carpet, Tile, Wood Construction Materials: Stone, Wood
  • Heating & Cooling

    Heating: Electric, Heat Pump, Zoned Cooling: Central Air, Zoned WaterSource: Shared Well

  • Building Information

    Year Built: 1974
  • Exterior Features

    Other - See Remarks Construction Materials: Stone, Wood Foundation Details: Permanent Road Responsibility: Private Maintained Road

  • Lot Information

    Lot Description: Cleared, Green Area, Private, Rolling Slope, Wooded Lot Size Area: 0.97 acre

    Property Information

    Property Type: Residential Sub Type: Single Family Residence Style: Traditional

  • Listing Price Information

    Original List Price:$2950000

  • Tax Information

    Tax Assessed Value: 1458020 Parcel Number: 7540161487

  • Parking Information

    Open Parking: #85 has a 1-car attached garage and concrete driveway with room for 2+ cars; #95 has a circular asphalt driveway with a 2-car attached garage. Circular Driveway, Driveway, Attached Garage, Garage Faces Front, Garage Faces Side, Keypad Entry, Other - See Remarks

    Garage Information

    Has Garage: Yes Garage Space: 3 Has Main Level Garage: Yes

  • School Information

    Elementary School: Unspecified Junior High School: Unspecified Senior High School: Unspecified
  • Utility Information

    Electricity Connected, Propane, Other - See Remarks Sewer: Septic Installed Water Source: Shared Well
  • Location Information

    Subdivision: None City: Highlands Direction: From Highlands: Take Main St to Franklin Rd then RIGHT on Mirror Lake Rd. Continue on Mirror Lake Rd to LEFT on Billy Cabin Rd. Continue for about 0.2 mi, then veer LEFT onto Ralph Thomas Rd. You'll come to the guest house on your right first (#85), then the main house is the last house on the road with the circular drive.
Sell a home like this and save $176,501 Find out How

How much is this property worth?

Curious about this home's true market value? Use our free Home Evaluation Tool to instantly get a personalized Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report. Make smarter, data-driven decisions before you buy.

Images
Loading, please wait...

Nearby Home Value

Address Estimate Bed Bath Sq. Ft Lot Size
261 Rock Face Trail #LT.., Highlands, NC, 28741 $999,000 2 2 1,022 1,022 SqFt
692 Lost Trail, Highlands, NC, 28741 $4,250,000 3 4 4,241 4,241 SqFt
70 Norton Court, Highlands, NC, 28741 $5,250,000 4 8 6,060 6,060 SqFt
556 Shortoff Road, Highlands, NC, 28741 $495,000 3 1 912 912 SqFt
760 N 5th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741 $4,200,000 4 4 1,944 1,944 SqFt
1921 Franklin Road, Highlands, NC, 28741 $1,800,000 4 5 2,960 2,960 SqFt
3819 Flat Mountain Road, Highlands, NC, 28741 $1,100,000 3 3 2,271 2,271 SqFt
3731 Dillard Road, Highlands, NC, 28741 $527,500 2 2 1,182 1,182 SqFt
Broker Logo

Disclaimer: The information being provided courtesy of CAROLINA (Canopy MLS) as distributed by MLS GRID and is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumer may be interested in purchasing. Any information relating to real estate for sale referenced on this web site comes from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) program of the CAROLINA (Canopy MLS). ByOwner.com is not a Multiple Listing Service (MLS), nor does it offer MLS access. ByOwner.com is a broker participant of CAROLINA (Canopy MLS). This web site may reference real estate listing(s) held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent who owns this web site.

Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of 07/04/2026 @ 06:20. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by the broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
Properties displayed may be listed or sold by various participants in the MLS.

Consumer use of IDX Listings Disclaimer: Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of 07/04/2026 @ 06:20. All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed by MLS GRID. The use of the MLS GRID Data may be subject to an end user license agreement prescribed by the Member Participant’s applicable MLS if any and as amended from time to time.


DMCA Notice: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the “DMCA”) provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe in good faith that any content or material made available in connection with our website or services infringes your copyright, you (or your agent) may send us a notice requesting that the content or material be removed, or access to it blocked. Notices must be sent in writing by email to DMCAnotice@MLSGrid.com.
“The DMCA requires that your notice of alleged copyright infringement include the following information:
(1) description of the copyrighted work that is the subject of claimed infringement;
(2) description of the alleged infringing content and information sufficient to permit us to locate the content;
(3) contact information for you, including your address, telephone number and email address;
(4) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the content in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, or its agent, or by the operation of any law;
(5) a statement by you, signed under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you have the authority to enforce the copyrights that are claimed to be infringed; and
(6) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf. Failure to include all of the above information may result in the delay of the processing of your complaint.

ByOwner last updated this listing 07/04/2026 @ 06:20

MLS: CAROLINA #4395002 LISTED BY: Doug Treadwell, MOUNTAIN LIFE REAL ESTATE, LLC 828-239-8814 SOURCE: CAROLINA (Canopy MLS) (Listings courtesy of CAROLINA (Canopy MLS) as distributed by MLS GRID)

Homes around $2,950,000

Selling? Save $176,501 when you sell a home like this

Tour with a ByOwner Agent