1571 Franklin Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
About This Home
Located less than two miles from Main Street Highlands, just minutes from Dry Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Lake Sequoyah, Author's Cottage is a charming, fully furnished 2-bedroom, 2-bath mountain retreat offering the perfect combination of convenience, comfort, and mountain charm. Thoughtfully maintained and move-in ready, the cottage is directly across from the popular On the Verandah restaurant and less than 1,000 yards from a public canoe launch, making it easy to enjoy everything Highlands has to offer while returning home to your own private mountain getaway. With approximately 1,165 square feet of living space, Author's Cottage comfortably accommodates family and guests while maintaining the cozy atmosphere that makes Highlands such a special destination. The home is being sold fully furnished, with only a few personal exclusions, allowing new owners to begin enjoying it immediately. The cottage has a long history of welcoming guests to Highlands, who consistently praise its comfort, location, and mountain character. Whether enjoyed as a private retreat, a seasonal residence, or a home shared with guests, the property offers exceptional flexibility and ease of ownership. Recent improvements include crawlspace encapsulation completed in 2021, a side deck with privacy fencing, and a floating backyard deck added in 2022. Combined with a trusted local network of housekeeping, maintenance, and landscaping professionals, the property is ideally suited for owners who spend part of the year away and appreciate a true "lock-and-leave" lifestyle. Rarely does a fully furnished, turnkey cottage become available this close to downtown Highlands while offering the convenience, flexibility, and mountain charm that have made Highlands such a beloved mountain destination. Whether you're searching for a personal mountain escape, a seasonal residence, or a place to create lasting memories with family and friends, Author's Cottage is ready to be enjoyed from day one. Schedule your private showing and discover the charm of Highlands for yourself.
Getting Around
Car-Dependent
Very Limited Transit
Somewhat BikeableSchools
Construction
Condition
- Year built: 2006
Materials
- Foundation: Other
- Roof: Shake / Shingle
Type & Style
- Home type: SingleFamily
Interior
Appliances
- Appliances included: Dishwasher,Dryer,Garbage disposal,Microwave,Range / Oven,Refrigerator,Washer
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 2
- Full bathrooms: 2
Features
- Ceiling Fans,Walk-in Closet,Breakfast Bar
- Flooring: Tile,Hardwood
- Fireplace: Yes
Heating
- Heating features: Heat pump,Gas
Interior Area
- Total interior livable area: 1,165 sqft
Property
Details
- Parcel number: 7530747944
Features
- Exterior features: Wood
Lot
- Lot size: 3,484 sqft
Parking
- Parking features: Off-street
Climate Risk is Financial Risk
Every home has a financial story beyond the listing price. Below, you’ll see the climate risks that could affect this property — and in Bills & Affordability, how those risks may influence repairs, insurance, utilities, and long-term value.
Biggest Threats for This Home
- Cold Wave
- Ice Storm
- Landslide
- Lightning
- Inland Flooding
- Strong Wind
- Tornado
How This Home’s Risks Compare
FEMA Declared Disasters in Macon County and North Carolina
Understanding the Costs
Financial advisors generally recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross household income on housing costs. In practice, many households stretch to 35% or beyond — especially in high-cost markets.
Estimated Costs Today
| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | $2,750 | $33,000 |
| Home Insurance * | $383 | $4,596 |
| Property Taxes | $187 | $2,244 |
| Electricity | $200 | $2,405 |
| Total | $3,520 | $42,240 |
Income You'd Need if You Spent...
North Carolina FAIR Plan Programs
How Costs Could Change Over Time
Climate risk is quickly impacting all of the major home ownership costs. Adjust the growth rates and percentage of income spent on housing below to see how your housing costs could change over the next 10 years — and what income you'd need to keep up.
Comparing Against the Market
Price Per Sq Ft
vs Other Active Listings
Avg $/sqft
vs Homes Sold Last Month
Median $/sqft
Current Market Trends
Median Price Per Square Foot
The median price per square foot of homes sold in this area each month. Compare this to this listing's price per square foot to gauge whether the home is priced in line with recent sales.
Historicals for This Listing
Zestimate History ($/sqft)
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-31 | Price change | $544,000 |
| 2026-06-13 | Listed for sale | $594,000 |
| 2026-04-15 | Listing removed | -- |
| 2026-01-15 | Listed for sale | $522,000 |
| 2025-11-02 | Listing removed | $547,000 |
| 2025-08-01 | Price change | $547,000 |
| 2025-07-01 | Price change | $549,900 |
| 2025-05-30 | Price change | $574,900 |
| 2025-03-14 | Listed for sale | $595,000 |
| 2024-08-14 | Listing removed | $595,000 |
| 2024-05-24 | Listed for sale | $595,000 |
| 2022-04-26 | Sold | $510,000 |
| 2022-04-04 | Pending sale | $510,000 |
| 2022-04-01 | Listed for sale | $510,000 |
| 2021-07-29 | Sold | $379,000 |
| 2021-04-24 | Pending sale | $379,000 |
| 2021-04-23 | Listed for sale | $379,000 |
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