Category: Blog

Drive through the gates of our Western North Carolina community and a sense of serenity washes over you. Lush mountain greenery. Grazing horses. Majestic Blue Ridge views. Hear the swing of golf clubs on our award-winning Tom Fazio golf course and the laughter of families enjoying our state-of-the-art amenity center. There’s nothing like life here at Bright’s Creek.

As we continue our featured spotlights on the builder partners who help bring our community to life, we’re introducing you to a talented team with deep roots in our beloved neighboring city of Asheville. This month, we had the pleasure of chatting with Max DeHoll, founder of Modern Mountain Builders, and Joe Archibald, architect and founder of Narwhal Design | Build. Learn more about their stunning shared vision for a new Bright’s Creek listing and discover how they partner to bring sustainable luxury homes to life in beautiful Western North Carolina.

The proposed 2140 Harm Creek Loop plan for Bright’s Creek is amazing. Walk us through the plan and the backstory of this lot choice.

The topography of this lot is really special and unusual for the mountains. While there’s definitely a gentle grade, it’s more level than most while still offering exceptional Bright’s Creek views. It presented a special opportunity to do something a little bit different with the main living level being more grounded, while also giving quick access to all of the amazing outdoor amenities. The convenience of having the majority of the living space on the main floor, from the primary bedroom and kitchen to a dining area, living room, screened porch and deck, and even a guest bedroom, allows for so much versatility. The plan also features two bedrooms upstairs with an office nook and bathrooms. Plus, the lower level features a space that can easily be tailored to the buyer’s lifestyle, whether that’s a rec room, movie theater, or a basement. It’s an ideal aging-in-place design, but also perfect for larger families, too.

Because of the slight sloping lot, there’s also a real connection to the ground and a sense of being immersed in nature here. It sits in one of the more wooded high valleys of Bright’s Creek, and although it has a flatter topography, it still captures views overlooking the golf course. There’s also a nice clearing where you can see up into a cliff base, which is really amazing.

Tell us more about how a potential buyer can customize this home to make it truly special.

We really want clients to create a space they absolutely love, so most everything is customizable from the finishes and fireplace to styling and surfaces. A buyer can even customize their connection to the outdoors with the landscaping and exterior elements as well. Plus, the basement area can be finished to add even more living space and square footage.

So, while the foundation is in place, it’s really up to the homebuyer’s vision to transform this plan into a home—and we can definitely help with that process to avoid decision overload.

What’s your relationship with a buyer like from start to finish? Walk us through the home-building process.

 There can be a lot of fear around custom home building, so we work to make things as manageable and transparent as possible.

When the new Bright’s Creek neighbor purchases this lot, infrastructure like the foundation and utilities will be in place. We’ll have an initial meeting with the buyer to review the design, but of course, they can always make adjustments.

We use a software that gives clients access to their own portal so they can manage their level of involvement. They can see daily logs, follow their weekly schedule and budget, and stay engaged along the way. Our team requires a monthly progress meeting, whether it’s in person or on video, to make sure we’re all aligned. We like to stay close and tailor our communication to each buyer.

A lot of our clients are “custom curious” and are learning about the custom home-building process as we go. We really work to make the process manageable, so we’ll provide them with selections in a doc, along with deadlines to keep everything on schedule. We even go with them to choose their fixtures since we’re really in tune with pricing, design, and what will be the most functional for their space and needs. Additionally, each of our sites has a Project Manager who is required to visit the site every day to ensure that everything is running smoothly and meeting the expectations of our clients. We also have a team of trusted sub-contractors in place early in the process, which really helps put everyone at ease and keeps us all on the same page.

What makes your custom home-building approach unique?

We really focus on caring for the quality of life of everyone touching our homes—that includes people from our staff and trade partners to our clients. At Modern Mountain Builders, our team is really the heartbeat of every project. We truly value our people and are Living Wage Certified, which translates to superior quality and service for our clients.

There’s also no price shopping here. We’re experts in market pricing, so we know how to navigate the best value for our clients. We’re never willing to sacrifice our high level of standards, so we work toward finding the perfect balance of budget and excellent quality.

You both have a spirit of sustainability that really drives your design and building process. Tell us a little bit more about why being eco-conscious matters in your work.

We both believe in wise building and design practices that are smart and sustainable. Building something up to code is simply not enough—we need to do more. The things that you don’t see are far more important than the things you do see. Our focus is building with a great team energy so that we can create the best outcomes together. Narwhal Design is a longtime member of the Green Built Alliance and Modern Mountain Builders maintains the highest levels of environmental standards in the industry. We help to educate our clients on green building while always balancing the budget—it’s about making small steps forward.

When all aspects of your project tie to a great quality of life, it’s good for everyone involved. Bright’s Creek has so much great energy and a ton to offer potential buyers. The lots and different areas within the community are all wonderful. We’re both just excited to be a part of it.

If you’re ready to call 2140 Harm Creek Loop home or are searching for luxury mountain homes for sale in NC, contact our real estate team directly at (828) 600-5132 to start your journey today.

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At Bright’s Creek, there’s a sense of adventure around every corner. From award-winning community features to one of North Carolina’s top golf courses to luxury mountain real estate options for every family, there’s a dream life waiting for everyone here in Mill Spring, NC.

This month, we chatted with Greg Junge and Sam Stenard from one of our builder partners, Junge Construction, to discover the details behind their vision for our newest mountain sanctuary. With their long standing local experience and roots right here in town, they’re especially equipped to build right here in the mountains they call home. Here’s a look at this custom North Carolina estate plan, complete with an age-in-place design, smart home features, luxury finishes, and so much more.

Tell us more about the 2015 Deep Gap Farm Road W. Mountain Sanctuary plan and how the lot choice came to be.

It all starts with the Bright’s Creek real estate team. It’s amazing how well Bright’s real estate agents, Heather and JJ, know the community and the landscape. The conversation starts with them, and we determine what a buyer would really value about the lot. We visit the site and ideally, we walk it during different seasons to see what the views will be like. Our goal is to find a home lot that will make someone really happy all year round. Bright’s Creek is one of the best-looking communities in the area. Their views are panoramic and the area truly feels like a sanctuary.

This site was chosen based on proximity to the amazing Bright’s Creek amenity center, so it’s close to all the action. The views here are also spectacular—you can see over the lodges, onto the golf course, as well as the mountain range. It’s the best of everything!

As far as our vision, we wanted to create something timeless and really true to this mountain craftsman style—something you would only find in North Carolina. The best architect we could dream of to help us bring this to life was Wayland Shamburger. He’s a renowned local architect who has spent 25 years defining our region’s famous architectural style, so we knew he was the perfect fit.

Tell us more about the floor plan and all of the sanctuary’s customizable features. 

This home really strikes a balance between feeling very luxurious and well-appointed while being a manageable size of about 3,100 square feet. The interior and exterior space really integrate beautifully. There’s a protected lower-level patio, an upper deck, spacious bathrooms with heated floors, a built-in energy recovery ventilation system to fill your home with healthy, fresh air, and more.

There’s a freestanding garage and breezeway, so no matter the weather, you can get into your  house under cover the whole way. This aligns with our aging-in-place design, so you can park in the garage and not have any stairs into the home. It’s very accessible and has a designated space for a future elevator, a curbless custom shower in the master suite, plus wheelchair-accessible entry. Our Superior Walls foundation creates a very well-insulated home and indoor and outdoor fireplaces allow a buyer to truly enjoy North Carolina all year round.

As far as the process goes, we begin with recommended selections via a detailed online design book. This includes everything from the trim to the wall finishes to the light fixtures, faucets, door knobs, and more. We use adaptable fixtures, so if a client wants to make a change, we have a lot of flexibility without adding tons of extra time. Everything except for the main foundation is fully customizable. So while we do offer our suggestions and expertise, the client still has total control. It’s a completely custom North Carolina home.

What makes the Junge Construction approach special?

Our approach centers around prioritizing the customer experience. At Junge Construction, we’re on a mission to build legacy homes and lifelong relationships. When you’re building a house with someone, you’re really part of each other’s lives for a period of time. We really want you to have a great experience throughout the entire process and feel like we’ve established a real friendship by the end of our journey together.

One of our differentiators is that we use a project management software as a way to make things clear and easy for our homeowners. Many clients are out of state, so our project logs are updated frequently, offering transparency and access to the state of the project, no matter where they are in the country. It also allows us to make adjustments in real time, so clients can offer feedback and make changes to selections. For example, if a client selected a tile or a color, but they end up not liking how it looks in the photos, we can capture that feedback and address it promptly. It really connects clients to the project and fosters a deeper emotional connection. It’s a great way to keep the whole team on the same page!

Each client also has a dedicated project manager so they can spend as much time on-site as they’d like. Another element that stands out is that we like to keep our worksites extremely clean—almost as if nothing is happening except for the work. The environment doesn’t feel chaotic, so it gives our clients a calming peace of mind and instills a sense of confidence. We always keep our spaces organized and set high standards because it’s so important to us to respect the culture of every community we’re working in. Everything matters, so our approach is to take the utmost care in even the smallest detail.

Are there any unique challenges that come with custom home building in North Carolina?

The hills, rocks, and mountains can all pose unique challenges in the area. But, we’re all creative problem solvers, so that’s really what makes us tick here at Junge Construction. We’ve lived in these mountains for over thirty years and our office is ten minutes from Bright’s Creek’s gates, so we know this area in and out because it’s our home.

We really want to specialize in our local community and create a wonderful place for generations to come. We’re not just building houses—we’re deeply rooted here and are working to create an incredible future together.

Ready to make this North Carolina mountain home yours? Discover the beauty of Bright’s Creek for yourself. Contact our real estate team directly at (828) 600-5132 to start your journey today.

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Stunning homesites, cottages, and built homes—our Bright’s Creek community has it all. No matter which option is the perfect fit for your family, our gated North Carolina community offers the best in luxury living. With expert guidance from our network of talented builder partners and on-site real estate team, each option offers the best in views, relaxation, and discovery.

This month, we met with Betsy Klein, Sales Consultant at one of our builder partners, AR Homes, to learn about the luxury builder’s proposed plan for one of Bright’s Creek’s “Featured Listing” sites, 2013 Deep Gap Farm. While this particular property is currently under contract, we wanted to give you an inside look at this sprawling estate plan featuring AR Homes’ inspired vision and discerning taste.

Betsy, tell us about the amazing plans for 2013 Deep Gap Road.

It’s an exceptional lot with amazing views of the mountains and golf course. Bright’s Creek’s realtors, Heather and JJ, along with the developers, actually selected this lot because of its special location and natural surroundings. It’s centrally located within the Bright’s Creek community and close to all the action, not far from their incredible new Lifestyle Center.

When you are working with clients, how much is actually customizable?

Essentially, everything can be customized based on the buyer’s style and taste. With 2013 Deep Gap Farm, the footprint of the house remained unchanged because we had poured the foundation, but we took an existing plan and modified it to include a lot of glass to maximize those amazing Bright’s Creek views. Everything on the inside of the house, from the windows to the doors, finishes, colors, and more, will be tailored to suit the needs of the homeowner. At AR Homes, we’ve been personalizing unique homes that meet families’ specific lifestyles and needs for over 40 years. We really pride ourselves on creating custom homes that fit the vision of our clients.

Tell us more about the special features of this estate.

It’s designed to seamlessly blend into its natural surroundings. The home features an open-floor concept with high, contemporary ceilings for an airy, spacious feel. There’s an abundance of glass windows and sliding doors, multiple porches for gathering, very spacious suites, plus a rec room and wet bar. The plan includes four beds and four and a half baths for about 3,000 square feet of space.

Can you walk us through the AR Homes approach?

A brand-new buyer would first come for a site visit so they can get a feel for the location, views, and community. From there, we zero in on a custom home plan and perform a site analysis for them. This entails a compass reading, determining exactly where they want the home to sit, and laying out the footprint of the home. At this point, a buyer will already know what their views will look like once their custom home is complete.

Then, we’ll work with our team to calculate site costs, which includes things like a driveway, the number of trees that may need to be cleared, potential additional foundation requirements depending on the height of each level, and any areas of expansion like extra porches or maybe an outdoor kitchen. We include the site costs with the home plan so our buyers know exactly what they’ll be spending.

From there, buyers enter into a design agreement with us to engage an architectural designer. Of course, if they go to contract, this fee is credited back to the buyer. During this design phase, we’re creating the entire floor plan exterior in 3D. We really like to help our clients clearly visualize the plans through a 3D rendering so they can get a true feel for the plan as it comes together. They’ll also be able to see any updates during this phase, like ceiling modifications or appliance updates—even colors for the interior and exterior. It’s all created in virtual reality for a truly immersive experience that helps to put people’s minds at ease.

Once design is done, we nail down the exact price of the home because we’re a fixed-price builder. We want our clients to know exactly what they’re spending. We also have two interior design studios, so our next step is for clients to do a two-day color session with our design team to lock in final interior and exterior colors.

Our process at AR Homes is very thorough. We handle it all from initial plans to architectural review submission and everything in between because we truly believe that building your dream home should be a fun, efficient and exciting experience.

What makes AR Homes unique?

There are plenty of builders who will design a custom home, but you’ll often pay additional fees for architects and designers. All of that is included in our base price so there are no extra costs involved. Another special differentiator for us is that we offer a vast array of custom home plans. We’re a large franchise with an intimate feel, so buyers can truly create their dream house by pulling inspiration from a variety of plans. With over 40 years in business, our process is extremely well-oiled, so we’re hyper efficient with our timelines and truly offer the best-in-class building resources that our customers deserve. Every luxury custom home we create is one that we’d be proud to call our own here at AR homes.

While 2013 Deep Gap Farm Road is under contract, you can work with AR Homes to design your perfect home! The array of custom North Carolina mountain homesites at Bright’s Creek is the ultimate destination to call your forever oasis.

Contact our real estate team directly at (828) 600-5132 or email us to begin your journey today.

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There’s nothing more magical than seeing your custom mountain home come to life. At Bright’s Creek, our trusted builder partners lead you through the home-building process from start to finish, partnering with you every step of the way to ensure that your dreams become reality. From built homes and cottages to homesites that offer an array of possibilities, Bright’s Creek offers NC real estate options for every future mountain home dweller.

We are profiling a few of our home builders and their exciting, upcoming projects. This month, we sat down with Max Morgan, Director of Sales & Marketing at Morgan Keefe, to learn all about their Laurel Oak custom home design for a new Bright’s Creek resident. It’s unlike anything you’ve seen at Bright’s before, with sweeping views, luxury finishes, an ultra-expansive layout, and so much more. Here’s a sneak peek at this custom North Carolina home design that’s truly a work of art.

Max, the Laurel Oak estate plan looks incredible. Tell us more about it and its background with Bright’s Creek.

As one of Bright’s Creek’s builder partners Morgan Keefe has a lot of experience creating custom homes in the community. Their team approached us with an idea to offer an estate plan that was ultra luxurious, while still fitting that exceptional Bright’s Creek feel. We had the perfect plan as a foundation but updated it to fit the bill with more modern touches and an elevated French-contemporary style. The homeowner selected a lot that would capture the most incredible views while maintaining a high level of privacy.

The home itself will have a very intricate, high level of finish. There’s a lot of glass throughout the estate, which allows for exceptional views that capture the beauty of the mountains and the golf course. It’ll have a main outdoor terrace with an infinity spa and seating, along with an additional terrace that offers more seating and a firepit. The design will allow homeowners to seamlessly flow from indoors to out, really capitalizing on North Carolina luxury living at its finest. It’s currently planned for 5 bedrooms, 5 full bathrooms and 1 half bath, a 3-car garage, a lower-level bar and wine room, a spacious kitchen, and space for an optional elevator. It’s going to be breathtaking. 

Walk us through the Morgan Keefe process of bringing this estate to life.

To start, we had an introductory meeting with the buyers to walk them through our process at a high level. We outline clear estimates based on their unique customizations and detailed architect plans and then stake out the home so that the Bright’s Creek review board and the homeowner can walk it and get a feel for how everything will be laid out, from the driveway to the front door.

Something that really sets Morgan Keefe apart is that all homeowners are assigned a dedicated project manager instead of someone who is working on five other projects. They’re your point person for everything, helping you through the decision-making process, scheduling management, and everyday updates. We pride ourselves on communication and keeping clients overly informed with detailed weekly updates, along with photos and plans for the week ahead. Our Director of Construction is also on-site weekly doing site reports and thorough write ups for the project manager. Additionally, we always like to advise bringing on a geotechnical engineer to help guide us in where the ideal spot to build will be. Building in the mountains can come with unique challenges that we’re well versed in, such as rock. Our engineer will review soil and dig test pits to ensure that we won’t face any issues and can confidently move forward as planned.

We have a lot of eyes on our job sites and never leave them unattended because that’s how we can guarantee the highest level of quality from start to finish.

Morgan Keefe’s tagline is “Live in a Work of Art.” Tell us more about what makes your approach special.

The level of training that goes into developing our Project Managers is very extensive. They approach projects from a holistic perspective and build real relationships with clients. There’s never a scenario where you won’t be able to reach your PM because they are busy with another project. They’re your one source of truth. We’ve actually developed over 100 techniques over the years that are in our project management training manual.

For some of our clients, this is their very first custom home. It’s critical to have a team that can clearly walk them through the process, answer questions clearly, and educate them every step of the way. We also have very stringent requirements for our subcontractors that go way above and beyond what you might have on any other custom home.

I think the richness and longevity of our homes is also a key differentiator for Morgan Keefe. We always like to source sustainable local materials whenever possible. The level of quality from the material selection to the look and feel of our homes really set us apart. In fact, one of our clients recently sold their home and the realtor said it was the cleanest home inspection report they’d seen in 40 years. We really pride ourselves on creating works of art that stand the test of time.

Morgan Keefe has numerous home designs, and they only build one design per community, meaning your home will be uniquely yours. Or they can work with your architect to bring the home of your dreams to life. Whichever path you choose, you are in good hands with the team at Morgan Keefe.

Contact our real estate team directly at (828) 600-5132 to start your journey today.

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