Buncombe County's 10 most expensive homes in 2023; sold for $28M more than appraised

Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times
·6 min read

ASHEVILLE - For Buncombe County's luxury homes, 2023 was a big year.

Some homes broke records with one selling for nearly $10 million — setting an all-time county record — while others sold well-above their appraised price.

One estate, Deerhaven Gardens, hit the private real-estate market listing at $34 million — later reducing its price to $25 million.

As for Buncombe County's top sales in 2023, a group of 10 luxury estates jointly sold for over $57 million in 2023.

However, between the 2021 reappraisal year and more recent appraisals, these homes are only collectively valued around $30 million.

Here are the top homes that sold in 2023, according to Canopy MLS, along with their most recent county tax appraisals:

The most expensive home sold in Buncombe County closed for $9.6 million. Located at 29 Hemlock Road, the magnificent English Tudor-style home is nestled on a secluded, 1.5-acre cul-de-sac that borders equestrian trails and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.
The most expensive home sold in Buncombe County closed for $9.6 million. Located at 29 Hemlock Road, the magnificent English Tudor-style home is nestled on a secluded, 1.5-acre cul-de-sac that borders equestrian trails and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.

29 Hemlock Road

With a record-breaking $9.6 million sale, the home at 29 Hemlock Road was not only the most expensive sale in 2023, it's the most expensive home sale in Buncombe County history.

When it sold in March, the Citizen Times covered the Biltmore Forest sale, where the 9,000-square-foot mansion is located next to a golf course and country club. The home was purchased by a Colorado-couple and was listed by Marilyn Wright and Sandi AuBuchon of Premier Sotheby's International Realty.

The home was built in 2015 by Wiggins-Hill Construction and designed by Shari Hayes Designs. Sotheby's describes it as "nestled on a secluded, 1.5-acre cul-de-sac that borders equestrian trails and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway."

The home was appraised in 2021 at $2.6 million.

12 Landsdowne Court

Toward the end of the year, a Biltmore Forest Ramble home sold for $7 million, cementing its place as the second highest sold home in 2023.

The home, which includes a wine cellar, state-of-the-art gym and a glass elevator, was highlighted by Citizen Times Reporter Mitch Black for being appraised by Buncombe County at $3.5 million in 2022 — half of its selling price.

Writing to the Citizen Times about the property, Keith Miller, the head of Buncombe County's tax assessment office, said the discrepancies are due to a four-year gap between reappraisals conducted by the county.

"You cannot compare the asking prices or current sales prices to the 2021 assessment and have any expectation the two will be close to equal," Miller said. "New sales information will be part of the 2025 reappraisal."

The primary suite for the home was described as a "spa-like haven" with the outdoor space containing a pavilion, half bath and an English garden.

39 Sunset Summit was the third most expensive home sold in 2023. It sold for $6.3 million in November.
39 Sunset Summit was the third most expensive home sold in 2023. It sold for $6.3 million in November.

39 Sunset Summit

Near Town Mountain Road, 39 Sunset Summit sold for $6.3 million in November, making it the third most expensive sale in 2023.

The home had been featured by the Citizen Times earlier this year on a list of six of the counties most expensive homes, where it had listed in September for $9.9 million. It's November sale fell around 36% short of its September asking price.

The home includes cathedral ceilings, an outdoor kitchen and a fully nanny or in-law suite. Other amenities include a fire pit, hot tub and a cook house with a full outdoor kitchen. The 1965 home had been redone in 2018.

The home was appraised in 2023 at $3.2 million.

17 Wild Wind Trail

A Eastern Buncombe home sold for nearly $6.3 million in July making it the fourth most expensive sale in 2023. The two-story, 11,682-square-foot home includes an edgeless infinity pool, a spa, outdoor fireplaces, marked trails and a theater.

Featuring a guest house on the main road up to the estate, the 26-acre property is located on a south facing ridge just minutes away from Fairview. The home was built in 2009, but was recently renovated in 2018, leading to the addition of a pool and second garage.

The home was appraised in 2023 at $4.1 million.

31 Rain Lily Trail

This three-story Arden home sold for $5.1 million in November, making it the fifth most expensive home sale in 2023. The home was only just recently finished, with the home being completed in 2021, according to Buncombe County tax records.

The 9,868-square-foot house includes a sauna, gym and kitchens on multiple floors.

The home was appraised in 2023 at $1.2 million.

23 Eastwood Road

With nearly 10,000-square-feet of living space, a Biltmore Forest home sold for $5 million in May, where it was the sixth highest home sale of 2023.

The home features six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, where the 1987 home was renovated in 2022. Some amenities are a library, a two-story foyer and a breakfast room with a coffee bar.

The home was appraised in 2023 at $2.8 million.

684 Walnut Valley Parkway

With a cobbled exterior, 684 Walnut Valley Parkway sold for $4.8 million in November, making it the seventh most expensive sale in 2023.

Built in 2019, the home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms, with fireplaces inside and outside of the property. Other amenities of the 5,142-square-foot home include a 700 bottle wine cellar, a firepit and a lower level patio.

The home was appraised in 2022 at $2.8 million.

1947 White Tree Trail in Arden was the eighth most expensive home sold in Buncombe County in 2023. It sold for $4.5 million in April, according to Canopy MLS.
1947 White Tree Trail in Arden was the eighth most expensive home sold in Buncombe County in 2023. It sold for $4.5 million in April, according to Canopy MLS.

1947 White Tree Trail

Another Arden home made the list, where 1947 White Tree Trail sold for $4.5 million in April, making it the eighth most expensive sale in 2023.

Built in 2014, the home is on the 12th green of Walnut Cove's Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and is right next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The home features a circular driveway and is located at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove.

The home was appraised in 2021 at $2.7 million.

9 Eastwood Road was the ninth most expensive home sold in Buncombe in 2023. It sold for $4.4 million in November, according to Canopy MLS.
9 Eastwood Road was the ninth most expensive home sold in Buncombe in 2023. It sold for $4.4 million in November, according to Canopy MLS.

9 Eastwood Road

With a Tudor-like look, a Biltmore Forest home sold for $4.4 million in November 2023, making it the ninth highest sale in 2023. The 9 Eastwood Road home is located near the Biltmore Forest Country Club golf course and has six bedrooms over 10,733-square-feet.

The home was appraised in 2021 at $2.7 million.

9 Brooklawn Chase was the tenth most expensive home sold in 2023. It sold for $4.2 million in July.
9 Brooklawn Chase was the tenth most expensive home sold in 2023. It sold for $4.2 million in July.

9 Brooklawn Chase

Finally, another Biltmore Forest home rounds out the top sales of 2023, where 9 Brooklawn Chase sold for $4.2 million toward the end of July, making it the 10th most expensive home sale of the year.

Built in 1995, the 10,791-square-foot home has a distinct architecture which "reflects England, France and Italy," according to its listing on Interluxe, an online luxury real estate marketplace.

The home was appraised in 2023 at $3.5 million.

More: European inspired ultra-expensive Buncombe County home for sale; How much is asking price?

More: WNC home prices set records in 2023, Asheville up 53% since 2019; solutions ahead?

Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Mountaintop mansions: Asheville's 10 most expensive homes in 2023