From the lively streets of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and the serenity of Northern Georgia to the stoic desert landscapes of Arizona, homes that favor resort-style luxury are in demand.

By Kristen Ordonez

The Waterfall Club at Lake Burton

Situated in the mountains of Northern Georgia, The Waterfall Club provides social and golf memberships and a wide variety of activities and services. This pristine resort is a focal point for buyers interested in homes within the Lake Burton area, which provides the most luxurious real estate options, according to Julie Barnett, Realtor from Harry Norman, Realtors.

“Rabun County sits in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains,” Barnett says. “It is 67 percent national forest, so there is very little development on the mountains. There is hiking, biking, shopping in the small boutiques in Clayton and a variety of great restaurants.”

For those who have already staked their claim within the area, the perks of living there only seem to grow with Five-Star dining, two marinas and the Bent Grass fairways, which offer unsurpassed beauty and play ability. The current highest listing in Waterfall is $3.5 million, with other available homes ranging from 300 to 10,000 square feet.

The Triangle of North Carolina

One area that is used to the hustle and bustle of a resort-type atmosphere is the Triangle area of North Carolina, specifically the cities of Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. Realtor Jennifer Guyer-Stenner of Fonville Morisey Realty notes that this area is considered a “miniature Silicon Valley and encompasses three premier universities (UNC, NC State, and Duke),” resulting in “a true melting pot” of residents who frequently flock to sporting events, recreational lakes, and golf courses such as Governors Club, Wakefield and Northridge.

With 750 luxury homes on the market in the Triangle area priced above $750,000, and the highest priced listing at nearly $7 million, Stenner affirms that this location will satisfy the needs of any discerning buyer.

Arizona

Something important to consider when purchasing a home is to find a “real estate professional who knows where the values [and] where the safest investments are,” according to Realtor Frank Aazami. Both Aazami and Lisa Westcott-Wadey, who thrive as Realtors with Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty in Arizona, know the values that can be found in their areas.

“Arizona has many attractions and outdoor activities that most don’t realize,” Wadey states. With up-and-coming residential opportunities like the new Ritz-Carlton Residences in Paradise Valley and tech industries in Mesa and Chandler, both local out-of-state buyers seem to be flocking toward The Grand Canyon state for resort communities.

Whether your home of choice is the close to $20 million home in Silverleaf or something lower on the spectrum, the market is open, but fierce. According to Wadey, “buyers want what they want and they are not willing to settle.”

courtesy jennifer guyer-stneer, fonville morisey realty

photo ©thompsonphotographic.com 2015
courtesy Lisa Westcott-Wadey / The W. Group

courtesy Frank Aazami/tourfactory