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540 Chestnut Street, Highlands, NC, 28741

5beds
4baths
--sqft
$3,895,000
--price/sqft
$23,859/moest. monthly cost
$954,360/yrincome needed

About This Home

Own a rare in-town Highlands retreat just steps from the new Performing Arts Center. Enjoy the charm of mountain living paired with a vibrant cultural lifestyle, with world-class performances, fine dining, boutique shopping, and all that Highlands has to offer just a short stroll from your front door. Set on beautifully landscaped grounds, this elegant home offers exceptional privacy, surrounded by mature evergreens that create the feeling of a secluded estate in the heart of town. A welcoming sense of arrival begins with the lush front gardens and continues to the enchanting rear courtyard, where a waterfall and fountain provide a tranquil backdrop for outdoor living. Inside, a gracious foyer opens to a spacious great room featuring soaring vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a stunning stone fireplace. The adjoining dining area flows seamlessly into the stunning gourmet kitchen, designed for both entertaining and everyday living. A charming keeping room with its own stone fireplace creates the perfect gathering place for family and friends while meals are prepared. The inviting screened porch, complete with a wood-burning fireplace, serves as an additional living space overlooking the picturesque gardens. Just beyond, an open-air deck offers the ideal setting for grilling, relaxing, and enjoying the mountain sunshine. The main-level primary suite is a private sanctuary, featuring a fireplace, peaceful garden views, and a luxurious spa-inspired bath with soaking tub and separate shower. A second ensuite guest bedroom and a cozy den complete the main level. Upstairs, three additional bedrooms—including a delightful bunk room—provide ample accommodations for family and guests. A sitting area and office nook offer flexible spaces for work, reading, or relaxation. Thoughtfully maintained and move-in ready, the home also features a two-car carport with floored attic storage, additional guest parking, a generator, central vacuum system, gas starters in all four fireplaces, custom closet shelving, and a fully encapsulated crawlspace. Combining privacy, luxury, and convenience, this exceptional Highlands property offers the opportunity to enjoy the very best of mountain living in one of the area's most desirable in-town locations.

Getting Around

48
WalkingCar-Dependent
0
TransitVery Limited Transit
42
BikeSomewhat Bikeable

Schools

6/10
Highlands SchoolGrades K-120.7 mi
6/10
Macon Middle SchoolGrades 7-811.8 mi

Construction

Condition

  • Year built: 2002

Materials

  • Roof: Asphalt
  • Construction materials: Frame,HardiPlank Type,Stone

Type & Style

  • Home type: SingleFamily
  • Architectural style: Traditional
  • Property subType: Single Family Residence

Interior

Appliances

  • Appliances included: Dryer,Dishwasher,Disposal,Microwave,Range,Refrigerator,Warming Drawer,Washer
  • Laundry features: Common Area,Washer Hookup,Dryer Hookup,In Hall,Main Level

Basement

  • Basement: Crawl Space,Exterior Entry,Encapsulated

Bathroom2

  • Level: Main

Bathroom3

  • Level: Main

Bathroom4

  • Level: Upper

Bedroom2

  • Level: Main

Bedroom3

  • Level: Upper

Bedroom4

  • Level: Upper

Bedroom5

  • Level: Upper

Bedrooms & Bathrooms

  • Bedrooms: 5
  • Bathrooms: 4
  • Full bathrooms: 3
  • 1/2 bathrooms: 1

Den

  • Level: Main

Dining Room

  • Level: Main

Features

  • Breakfast Bar,Bookcases,Ceiling Fan(s),Double Vanity,Entrance Foyer,High Speed Internet,Primary Downstairs,Stone Counters,Storage,Solar Tube(s),Soaking Tub,Vaulted Ceiling(s),Walk-In Closet(s)
  • Flooring: Wood
  • Number of fireplaces: 4
  • Fireplace features: Gas Log,Kitchen,Living Room,Primary Bedroom,Other,Outside,Propane,Raised Hearth,Stone,Wood Burning
  • Fireplace: Yes

Heating & Cooling

  • Heating features: Central
  • Cooling features: Central Air,Ductless,Electric

Kitchen

  • Level: Main

Laundry

  • Level: Main

Living Room

  • Level: Main

Master Bathroom

  • Level: Main

Master Bedroom

  • Level: Main

Office

  • Level: Upper

Property

Accessibility

  • Accessibility features: None

Details

  • Parcel number: 7540521395
  • Zoning description: Residential

Features

  • Levels: Two
  • Stories: 2
  • Patio & porch: Rear Porch,Front Porch,Screened
  • Exterior features: Garden,Water Feature
  • Has view: Yes
  • View description: Garden
  • Waterfront features: None
  • Topography of land: Sloping
  • Living area range: 3501-4000

Lot

  • Lot size: 0.73 Acres
  • Features: Back Yard,Cleared,Sloped Down,Front Yard,Gentle Sloping,Landscaped,Paved,City Lot

Parking

  • Total spaces: 2
  • Parking features: Additional Parking
  • Covered spaces: 2
  • Carport: Yes
  • Carport spaces: 2

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
    Cold WaveRelatively High
  • Ice Storm
    Ice StormRelatively High
  • Landslide
    LandslideRelatively High
  • Lightning
    LightningRelatively High
  • Inland Flooding
    Inland FloodingModerate
  • Strong Wind
    Strong WindModerate
  • Tornado
    TornadoModerate

How This Home’s Risks Compare

Cold Wave
Ice Storm
Landslide
Lightning
Inland Flooding
Strong Wind
Tornado

FEMA Declared Disasters in Macon County and North Carolina

Flood
Hurricane
Mud Landslide
Severe Storm
Tropical Depression
Tropical Storm
Winter Storm

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

MonthlyAnnual
Mortgage $19,695$236,340
Home Insurance *$2,746$32,952
Property Taxes $1,218$14,616
Electricity $200$2,405
Total$23,859$286,308
*Does not include cost of any FAIR Plan premiums

Income You'd Need if You Spent...

35% on housing$818,022/yr
40% on housing$715,770/yr
45% on housing$636,240/yr

North Carolina FAIR Plan Programs

North Carolina Joint Underwriting Association - FAIR Plan

Covered
WildfireWildfire
HailHail
WindWind
Visit Website →

NCIUA - Coastal Property Insurance Pool (CPIP)

Covered
WildfireWildfire
HailHail
WindWind
Visit Website →
Current Policies
Residential: 235,990Commercial: 10,165
Total Premiums$278.20M
Total Exposure$57.33B

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.

Insurance Growth Rate5-year average: 9.8%
9.8%
0%30.0%
Electricity Growth Rate10-year average: 4.0%
4.0%
0%15.0%
Property Taxes Growth Rate2-year average: 6.4%
6.4%
0%15.0%
Income Spent on Housing
30%
30%45%

Comparing Against the Market

Price Per Sq Ft

--This listing

vs Other Active Listings

Avg $/sqft

ZIP 28741$1,611
Macon County$545

vs Homes Sold Last Month

Median $/sqft

ZIP 28741
Macon County$264

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

DateEventPrice
2026-06-27Listed for sale$3,895,000
2022-07-09Listing removed--
2022-03-25Listed for sale$2,900,000
2021-11-28Listing removed--
2021-09-06Listed for sale$2,850,000
2010-05-14Sold$1,100,000
2010-01-10Price change$1,250,000
2009-10-04Listed for sale$1,295,000
2005-11-18Sold$694,000

For Sale by Agent

AgentPam Nellis
BrokerageChristie's International Real Estate Highlands-Cashiers

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