luxury houses for sale McDowell County, United States

Rustic mountain character and refined European design come together in this distinctive Mountain Air retreat, where panoramic views and thoughtful architecture define every space. A dramatic boulder at the entrance creates a memorable arrival, while a light-filled, three-story foyer introduces the home's impressive scale. Two private guest suites occupy the entry level, and a curved staircase and private elevator provide easy access throughout. The main living level features a soaring great room with a striking stone fireplace, walls of windows and sweeping mountain vistas. An open dining area and well-appointed kitchen are designed for both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The primary suite offers its own fireplace, private deck and spa-inspired bath, while an upper-level loft provides flexible space for a home office, studio or additional sleeping area. Located within Mountain Air, residents enjoy trails, club amenities and the convenience of a private mountaintop airport.

One or more photos has been virtually staged, AI generated or rendered. Architect-designed mountain homes on private 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites just eight minutes from downtown Marion and 45 minutes from Asheville. Welcome to Catatoga Trails, a thoughtfully designed mountain community where modern architecture, natural beauty, and small-town charm come together just minutes from downtown Marion. On spacious 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites, Catatoga Trails offers the rare opportunity to enjoy architect-designed homes with privacy, mountain character and room to breathe, something increasingly difficult to find throughout Western North Carolina. Only eight minutes from downtown Marion, 45 minutes from Asheville and approximately two hours from Charlotte, residents enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, healthcare and everyday essentials while remaining surrounded by some of the region's most celebrated outdoor destinations, including Lake James, Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls, Linville Falls, South Mountains State Park, Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. With low McDowell County taxes, simple HOA-maintained roads, short-term rentals permitted, and a collection of thoughtfully crafted mountain homes designed to complement the landscape, Catatoga Trails offers an exceptional lifestyle for full-time residents, second homeowners and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat without sacrificing convenience. The Modern Cottage offers comfortable single-level living with an open-concept floor plan, vaulted ceilings, semi-custom cabinetry, granite countertops and spacious covered front porch ideal for enjoying the peaceful mountain setting. Thoughtfully designed for low-maintenance living, it combines timeless style with everyday functionality.

Indigo Nature Retreat is a rare mountain property bordering more than 1,000 acres of Pisgah National Forest. On 4.25 private acres, the retreat includes a welcoming main lodge, a two-story community barn and nine guest cabins, creating an exceptional setting for retreats, gatherings or a private mountain escape. The lodge offers warm wood interiors, a stone fireplace, open living spaces and a covered porch overlooking the forest. The community barn features a full kitchen, dining area, two full baths and an upper-level studio ideal for yoga, workshops or creative pursuits. Five primitive cabins and four creekside cabins with full kitchens and baths accommodate up to 24 guests. Surrounded by trails, streams and native forest, the property offers remarkable privacy while remaining within easy reach of Asheville. Whether continued as a retreat center or reimagined as a private estate, Indigo Nature Retreat is a place to slow down, reconnect and experience the mountains at their most authentic.

One or more photos has been virtually staged, AI generated or rendered. Architect-designed mountain homes on private 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites just eight minutes from downtown Marion and 45 minutes from Asheville. Welcome to Catatoga Trails, a thoughtfully designed mountain community where modern architecture, natural beauty and small-town charm come together just minutes from downtown Marion. On spacious 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites, Catatoga Trails offers the rare opportunity to enjoy architect-designed homes with privacy, mountain character and room to breathe, something increasingly difficult to find throughout Western North Carolina. Only eight minutes from downtown Marion, 45 minutes from Asheville and approximately two hours from Charlotte, residents enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, healthcare and everyday essentials while remaining surrounded by some of the region's most celebrated outdoor destinations, including Lake James, Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls, Linville Falls, South Mountains State Park, Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. With low McDowell County taxes, simple HOA-maintained roads, short-term rentals permitted and collection of thoughtfully crafted mountain homes designed to complement the landscape, Catatoga Trails offers an exceptional lifestyle for full-time residents, second homeowners and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat without sacrificing convenience. The Modern Cabin Getaway blends clean contemporary lines with rustic mountain warmth. Vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and carefully selected finishes create a retreat that feels equally suited for full-time living or weekend escapes. Interior photo renderings courtesy of Alan Mascord Design Associates.

Experience the romance of the Italian countryside without leaving Western North Carolina. Inspired by the timeless charm of Tuscany, this extraordinary 105-acre working farm blends refined Mediterranean architecture with productive agricultural infrastructure, creating a property that is as beautiful as it is functional. Approached through rolling pastures framed by mountain views, the estate unfolds across gently rolling acreage thoughtfully designed for livestock operations and luxurious country living. Rotational grazing pastures are equipped with automatic water feeders, while a cattle chute, multiple fenced grazing areas, two wells, well house and extensive farm infrastructure support the property's continued agricultural use. Two fully stocked ponds provide exceptional recreation and natural beauty, featuring bass, bluegill, catfish and minnows. A thriving two-acre vineyard further enhances the estate's Tuscan character and offers opportunity to continue a boutique vineyard operation or simply enjoy the beauty it brings to the landscape. At the heart of the property sits a beautifully renovated Mediterranean-style residence encompassing approximately 4,143 square feet. Extensively updated and thoughtfully expanded, the home seamlessly combines classic craftsmanship with modern conveniences. Rich hickory hardwood flooring flows throughout the main living spaces, while solid wood doors and custom finishes add warmth and authenticity. The chef's kitchen was completely reimagined with custom cherry cabinetry, quartz countertops, double ovens, microwave, dishwasher, gas range with pot filler, oversized pantry and an inviting coffee bar complete with wine cooler. Designed for everyday living and entertainment, the adjoining great room addition creates an expansive gathering space filled with natural light and views of the surrounding countryside. Convenience and accessibility are paramount, with an elevator serving all three levels of the home. Additional interior features include two gas fireplaces, a spacious mudroom with full bath, a Jack-and-Jill bath, zoned heating and air conditioning, Italian ceiling fans, new carpeting, and laundry facilities on the main and upper levels. The private primary suite serves as a retreat, featuring a balcony overlooking the farm, expansive walk-in closets, and sweeping views of the pastures, vineyard, ponds and mountains beyond. With three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths, the home offers comfortable accommodations for family and guests while maintaining an intimate connection to the surrounding landscape. Outdoor living is equally impressive. A newly constructed heated saltwater pool provides a resort-style setting for relaxation and entertaining, while extensive landscaping creates a vibrant tapestry of seasonal color. Sixty-six rose bushes, walnut trees, apple trees and peach trees enhance the grounds, providing beauty and harvest opportunities throughout the year. Additional improvements include a three-bay garage, a newly constructed outbuilding with concrete flooring, storage building, doghouse, whole-house 20-kilowatt generator, and numerous farm-support structures that make daily operations efficient and convenient. 15+ wooded acres that includes Hoppers Creek is the portion of the property that is thoughtfully protected by a conservation easement lending itself for hiking trails, preserving the pastoral beauty and natural integrity of the landscape while enhancing the sense of privacy and permanence that makes this farm exceptional. The protected acreage complements the working farm operation and helps ensure the enduring character of the surrounding countryside. Whether envisioned as a working cattle farm, vineyard estate, equestrian property, family compound or private mountain retreat, this exceptional offering combines productive acreage, remarkable improvements and timeless Tuscan-inspired elegance into a rare Western North Carolina legacy property.

One or more photos has been virtually staged, AI generated or rendered. Architect-designed mountain homes on private 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites just eight minutes from downtown Marion and 45 minutes from Asheville. Welcome to Catatoga Trails, a thoughtfully designed mountain community where modern architecture, natural beauty and small-town charm come together just minutes from downtown Marion. On spacious 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites, Catatoga Trails offers the rare opportunity to enjoy architect-designed homes with privacy, mountain character and room to breathe, something increasingly difficult to find throughout Western North Carolina. Only eight minutes from downtown Marion, 45 minutes from Asheville and approximately two hours from Charlotte, residents enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, healthcare and everyday essentials while remaining surrounded by some of the region's most celebrated outdoor destinations, including Lake James, Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls, Linville Falls, South Mountains State Park, Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. With low McDowell County taxes, simple HOA-maintained roads, short-term rentals permitted and collection of thoughtfully crafted mountain homes designed to complement the landscape, Catatoga Trails offers an exceptional lifestyle for full-time residents, second homeowners and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat without sacrificing convenience. The Mountain Cottage showcases a dramatic two-story vaulted great room filled with natural light, creating an inviting space for gathering and entertaining. Warm architectural details, expansive windows, and seamless indoor-outdoor living capture the essence of mountain living.

At the end of a quiet road in the heart of the Celo Community, this extraordinary 37-acre legacy property is bordered on two sides by the Pisgah National Forest and North Carolina Game Lands, offering an unparalleled sense of privacy, serenity and natural beauty at the foot of the Black Mountains. The land encompasses pristine hardwood cove forest, one of North Carolina's most biodiverse ecosystems where nearly all the state's medicinal plants naturally thrive. Combined with open fields, garden space, forested mountainsides, natural springs and distant mountain views, this property offers a rare blend of ecological significance and versatility for those seeking a mountain sanctuary. The updated A-frame home balances rustic charm with modern comfort, featuring an expansive glass wall, open-concept living and panoramic mountain views. Interior updates include hardwood floors, an updated bath and a modern kitchen. It is the ideal home to live in while you build your dream home and then it can become an ideal guest house or Airbnb. Complementing the main residence are several versatile outbuildings such as a two-car detached garage, a barn ideal for storage or restoration, an unheated studio space ideal for creative pursuits, an open-air pavilion and a tractor shed. Trails meander through untouched woodlands, and with direct access to Pisgah National Forest, this property is ideal for hiking, foraging, hunting and wildlife observation. Whether envisioned as a private mountain retreat, working homestead, hunting lodge or multi-home family compound, the property offers multiple homesites with expansion potential. Its garden spaces, established infrastructure and protected surroundings create a legacy opportunity for those drawn to a lifestyle defined by connection with nature. A short distance to Burnsville, Blue Ridge Parkway, Carolina Hemlocks and Mount Mitchell State Park, this is more than a property, it's a way of life. A rare chance to own a legacy mountain tract in one of the sought-after natural settings in Western North Carolina.

One or more photos has been virtually staged, AI generated or rendered. Architect-designed mountain homes on private 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites just eight minutes from downtown Marion and 45 minutes from Asheville. Welcome to Catatoga Trails, a thoughtfully designed mountain community where modern architecture, natural beauty and small-town charm come together just minutes from downtown Marion. On spacious 1- to 2-acre wooded homesites, Catatoga Trails offers the rare opportunity to enjoy architect-designed homes with privacy, mountain character and room to breathe, something increasingly difficult to find throughout Western North Carolina. Only eight minutes from downtown Marion, 45 minutes from Asheville and approximately two hours from Charlotte, residents enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining, healthcare and everyday essentials while remaining surrounded by some of the region's most celebrated outdoor destinations, including Lake James, Pisgah National Forest, Catawba Falls, Linville Falls, South Mountains State Park, Chimney Rock State Park and Blue Ridge Parkway. With low McDowell County taxes, simple HOA-maintained roads, short-term rentals permitted and a collection of thoughtfully crafted mountain homes designed to complement the landscape, Catatoga Trails offers an exceptional lifestyle for full-time residents, second homeowners, and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat without sacrificing convenience. Inspired by Scandinavian architecture, this home features clean lines, soaring ceilings, abundant natural light and sophisticated minimalist aesthetic. The thoughtful design emphasizes simplicity, functionality and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.