Just eight miles from Lakes James in Burke County, Morganton is a charming small town of about 17,000 nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Burke County, North Carolina, almost midway between the major metropolitan areas of Asheville and Charlotte.
Convenient location and mild climate make Morganton a beautiful place to live. Winter temperatures range from 40 to 50 degrees and summers from 70 to 90 degrees. Annual precipitation is 50.4″ with less than 8″ of snow in the winter. And the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, including Table Rock, Grandfather, Hawksbill and Shortoff Mountains are as delightful as the weather.
In the Western Piedmont of North Carolina, Morganton NC real estate nestles near Lake James in the picturesque Catawba River Valley. Residents enjoy beautiful views into the Blue Ridge Mountains from the 1,100-foot elevations. Located between the Asheville (58 miles) and Charlotte (70 miles).
Morganton is a small town of 17,000 with a charming historic downtown and scenic neighborhoods. The community beams with cultural, educational, recreational, and employment opportunities and a high-quality lifestyle for all ages.
Morganton Real Estate Options
Morganton NC real estate includes options to fit every budget and taste. Close to downtown are numerous homes and condos with prices beginning in the $100,00s. Neighborhoods in town feature classy homes in the middle price ranges. Farther towards Lake James, the waterfront real estate in spectacular forested subdivisions fulfills the dreams of many full time and seasonal residents. Prices begin in the $300,000s and exceed $1 million.
Featured Lake James Neighborhoods
The River Club
South Pointe
East Shores
Dry Creek
Cottage Park
Laurel Pointe
Holiday Shores
Mallard Cove
Mallard Pointe
Wilderness Edge
Once they come to Lake James North Carolina, people simply don’t want to leave. Many come to vacation on Lake James via North Carolina Cabin rentals and fall in love with the area. Because of the limited property development allowed on the Lake, residential property listings continue to be somewhat limited. The large majority of residences located on Lake James that have been built are custom, and real estate re-sales typically occur due to job relocations or other factors requiring a move from the area. As more homes are built in the newer communities, more residences are slowly becoming available.
Home sites. With amenities.
Looking for the best Lake James NC real estate? Currently, building lots are available on Lake James ranging in size from about an acre up to 9-10 acres. The trend for the future is larger lot sizes in environmentally friendly upscale developments that allow multi-structure compounds with community amenities. Picnic areas, nature trails, overlooks and other features are now the norm for the enjoyment of all residents. Black Forest, on the western side of the lake in McDowell County, is an example of the type of community being created at Lake James today.
A wise investment
With the addition of multi-acre lots and community amenities, prices for home sites have escalated, making any investment in property at Lake James a very smart one. Prices for lots in newer communities can range from the low $100s for interior lots and low $300s for waterfront property. A limited supply, coupled with increasing demand, makes sales of existing homes brisk.
A lifestyle preserved
To preserve the pristine quality of Lake James, county governments, along with citizens’ groups, have created regulations to protect the watershed and view shed areas in all new communities. The Lake James Protection Ordinance was adopted in 1998 and has recently been updated and revised. The ordinance restricts disturbance of natural vegetative buffers from 55 feet in older subdivisions to 125 feet in newer communities, with measurement starting from full pond, and including shoreline stabilization requirements and other regulations for the protection of the lake environment and property owners. The location and construction of docks is regulated and permitted by Duke Energy.
Lake James. Some community history.
The Lake James area has grown slowly and carefully over the past two decades.
1980s – Three small lakeside communities of Holiday Shores in Burke County, Lake View Hills and Forest Lake Heights in McDowell County take shape
1988 – the Marion Lake Club purchased three acres of water front property from Crescent Resources at the same time the State of North Carolina purchased the property for the current State Park. Combining this three acres of water front property with eight acres of existing property that had once been a weekend RV area, Marion Lake Club subdivided this acreage into 11 lots and sold all the property by auction. This area now is called Lake View and contains some of the most beautiful waterfront and golf course view homes in the county.
Post-1988 – More residential communities have taken shape, with Crescent Resources being the primary developer. These include Lakeview Point, Lakeview Shores, Waterglyn, East Shores, Mallard Pointe, Sunset Point, SouthPointe and The Arbor.
1990s – Black Bear, Bear Cliff, Sunset Point, Black Forest and Dry Creek are the newest Lake James communities.
An undiscovered gem
New purchasers of Lake James NC real estate here praise the pristine nature of the Lake, the scenery and the close proximity to several charming small towns. Not to mention beautiful Lake James State Park, with its wide variety of activities. Many feel that Lake James has been a well-kept secret – nestled away – until now. As it is discovered, Lake James is quickly becoming very popular with those looking for a lake lifestyle away from the crowds.
Lake James NC Real Estate Brokers
For more information about Lake James NC real estate and waterfront homes, please contact the real estate brokers of Lake James Real Estate, Inc., 3053 NC Hwy 126, Morganton, NC 28655, Phone: 828-584-9999
