95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Front Elevation
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Side Yard
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Circular Driveway
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Front Entrance
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Living Room
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Living Room
95 Ralph Thomas Rd
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Back Covered Deck with Electric Roll Down Plastic Curtains for Year Round Use
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Back Covered Deck with Electric Roll Down Plastic Curtains for Year-Round Use
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Dining Area off the Kitchen and Living Room
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Back Deck
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Kitchen
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Kitchen
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Guest Room on Main
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Den, or Could be Converted to Additional Guest Space with Ensuite Full Bath
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Den, or Could be Converted to Additional Guest Space with Ensuite Full Bath
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite Upstairs
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite Bathroom Upstairs
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite Bathroom Upstairs
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Office/Media Room Upstairs
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Office/Media Room Upstairs
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Attached Garage
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Spacious 2-Car Garage with Workshop
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Professionally Landscaped Fenced Yard
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Fire Pit in the Back Yard
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Fire Pit in the Back Yard
95 Ralph Thomas Rd - Rear Elevation
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Large Driveway and 1-Car Garage
 photo 29
 photo 30
 photo 31
 photo 32
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite on the Ground Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite Bathroom on the Ground Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Primary Ensuite Bathroom Jetted Tub
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Kitchen on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - View of Dining Area on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - View of Living Room on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Living Room
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Living Room
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Wrap Around Deck off the Upper Levels Rd
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Wrap Around Deck off the Upper Levels Rd
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Guest Room on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Shared Guest Bath on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - 2nd on Upper Main Level
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Fire Pit Area in Back Yard
85 Ralph Thomas Rd - Addtional Parking for Tenants and Guests
Lines for reference only; not based on a survey.
48 photos

$2,950,000

Highlands, NC 28741
Listed by Doug Treadwell · MOUNTAIN LIFE REAL ESTATE, LLC
Bedrooms
5
Bathrooms
5
Living area
4,164 sqft
Year built
1974

About this home

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-style 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.

Highlights

Fireplace

Property details

MLS #
CAR4395002
Property type
Single Family Residence
Subdivision
None
Status
Active
Days on market
1
On market date
N/A
Stories
N/A
Garage spaces
3
Lot size
N/A
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Nearby schools

Within 10 miles · public school directory data (NCES)

Elementary
Blue Ridge School
6.46 mi away · Grades -1-6
Nearest school -- attendance-zone data not available here
3.3
Local Score (state rating (2025) blended 70/30 with student-teacher ratio) -- not an official state rating
State rating: C (2025)
Enrollment
154
Student:teacher ratio
12.8:1
District
Jackson County Public Schools
Middle
None found nearby
High
Macon Early College High School
11.69 mi away · Grades 9-13
Zoned school (attendance boundary, 2015-16 data)
3.1
Local Score (state rating (2025) blended 70/30 with student-teacher ratio) -- not an official state rating
State rating: B (2025)
Enrollment
129
Student:teacher ratio
32.3:1
District
Macon County Schools

Mortgage calculator

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Est. monthly payment
$17,915/mo
$590,000 down
$2,360,000 loan
Principal & interest$15,307
Property tax (est.)$2,458
Home insurance (est.)$150

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Data source: Listing information provided by Canopy MLS (carolina) via Trestle/CoreLogic. Last updated June 26, 2026.

Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed; all measurements, school assignments, HOA fees, taxes, and feature lists are approximate and should be independently verified. Equal Housing Opportunity.