153-Acre Gated EcoHood | Cedar Knob Summit | Disc Golf | $3.3M+ Valuation – Buy Now $1.99M
🌄 Own the Top of the Mountain — for Nearly Half Its Appraised Value
Walnut Hills is a first-of-its-kind eco-resort and homestead development in Franklin, NC with 153 acres, 26 developed lots, 4 ridgetop lots atop Cedar Knob (4,109 ft), and 130+ acres of protected greenway.
Buy Now: $1,990,000
Valued at over $3.3 million, this shovel-ready project offers massive upside for eco-builders and investors.
🔑 Property Features
- 26 recorded lots (1–5 acres)
- Private Cedar Knob summit at 4,109 ft
- 18-hole private disc golf course (under construction)
- 130+ acres of conservation forest
- Gated entry, underground power, shared wells
- No zoning restrictions
💪 Phase One Buildout
- 4 eco-cottages: <$30K/unit + contingency = $160K total
- 18-hole course with naming sponsorships
- Legacy pavilions, firepits, benches
- Community water + grid power installed
- First-ever Hempcrete EcoHood™
📈 Summit Lodge Investment Model
4 ridge lodges at $700K build cost (~5,000 sqft) = $2.8M
Expected Value: $1.5M–$4M/lodge → $6M–$16M total
Equity Gain: $3.2M–$13.2M
💸 Additional Revenue
- 6 Earthship lots sold @ $150K = $900K
- Net profit from 6 builds = $900K
Total Future Value: $5M–$15M+ on $2.1M investment
🌍 Location
In Sugar Fork Valley, Macon County, near Franklin, Cullowhee, Lake Glenville, Cashiers, and Highlands — a prime high-elevation market.
🌿 Low-Maintenance + HOA Strategy
- Natural trail system = low upkeep
- Rentals support maintenance fund
- 9 homeowners may opt into amenities
📊 Appraised & Tax-Verified
- Tax-assessed at $2.8M (2018)
- Lot 24: $664K appraisal on $300K build
- Valuation supported: $3.3M–$3.5M
🛠️ Workshop Construction Model
- Trains interns/volunteers to reduce labor costs
- Promotes education and sustainability
- Enables use of hempcrete and natural materials
🧱 Why Hempcrete?
- Breathable, fire/pest resistant, highly insulative
- U.S. code-compliant for residential builds
- Historic longevity — used for centuries
📌 Investment Summary
- Equity: $5M–$15M potential return on $2.1M
- Location: Prime high-growth resort corridor
- Control: Developer owns most assets + no zoning
- Cost: Workshops slash expenses and drive ROI
Conclusion: Walnut Hills is a low-risk, high-reward, legacy real estate investment.
✅ Viability of the Plan
- Fully Surveyed, Permitted, and Subdivided: With 26 recorded lots, installed wells, underground power, and wide gravel roads, this is not conceptual—it’s shovel-ready.
- Phased Development Strategy: Starting with 4 eco-rental cottages and 6 homes keeps overhead low while generating revenue and market proof.
- Conservation-Driven Design: Placing 17 lots into permanent green space adds long-term value, tax potential, and enhances market appeal.
- Market-Backed Pricing: Lot values ($75K–$225K), hempcrete home comps ($550K–$850K+), and strong regional demand validate the projected resale prices and nightly rental revenue.
💰 Why It’s a Good Investment
- Massive Discount to Value: Buy-in under $2M for a project with a projected value of $6.5M+ = 160–220% ROI.
- Eco-Tourism & Sustainability Trends: Hempcrete, disc golf, and off-grid design aren’t fringe—they’re rising asset classes, especially post-COVID.
- Scarcity: It is the first and only hempcrete ecohood in the world—a truly differentiated real estate product.
- Resilience & Legacy Appeal: Investors aren’t just buying land—they’re part of building a model community that can weather future environmental, energy, and social challenges.