McDowell County
Real Estate Agencies

Little Switzerland — Getting here is the challenge! One access road is the Blue Ridge Parkway but it was designed for slow, scenic travel. Our favorite alternate is NC-226-A which is the short cut from NC-226 coming up from the south. NC-226, which crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway about 4 miles east of Little Switzerland, is a much better road; it is even better heading north to Grassy Creek and Spruce Pine. When you get here you will see why they named this community Little Switzerland. Looking for mountain property? Here it is, — lots of it! And the real estate agents here love to show off their mountain view homes.

Real estate agents in Little Switzerland:

• Apple Mountain, 316 Queens Way, 765-2302

• J.R. Simmons Co, P.O. Box 335, 765-1290

• Misty Mountain Land Co (United Country), 9459 NC-226A, 800-533-8532

• Timberline Properties, P.O. Box 507, 766-8900
  Timberline Properties features the best in vacation rental homes, log cabins, and mountain chalets. Whether you are looking for the perfect secluded mountain getaway or a mountaintop rental getaway with views that seem to go on forever... we have something to suit your tastes and budget. e-mail: Timberline

• United Country/Misty Mountain Land Co, 9459 NC-226A, 800-533-8532

Marion — Marion is the business center as well as the county seat of McDowell County. There is a lot of shopping — especially along US-70 north of Marion. Marion doesn't quite have the small town atmosphere nor does one feel like it is a city. It is sort of a pleasant in-between. There is a lot of nice residential property to the east of downtown (along US-70) and to the south between Marion and I-40. While Marion is in the foothills, you do have some excellent views of the mountains to the north and west.
   Marion is in the Catawba River valley. Downstream is the famous Lake James where they filmed most of the movie, Last of the Mohicans. The real estate agents can show you a lot of great recreational property and even some waterfront property.'

Real estate agents in Marion:

• Albert Realty, 16185 US 221 N, 756-0020

• Anderson & Associates, 146 S Main St, 652-3067

• Brooks & Broadwell Realty, 2434 Sugar Hill Rd, 800-842-7253

• Carolina Five Star Realty, 882 Deep Woods, 652-1780

• Carolina Horizons, 599 Watercrest Dr, 738-3857

• Catawba Properties, 2986-B US-221 N, 800-351-2606

• Century 21 The Pinnacle Group, Suite 101, 451 N Main St, 866-659-6500
  From Lake James to mountain tops along the Blue Ridge Parkway and south to the rolling hills of Queens Gap
   our well trained brokers can guide you through the Real Estate process with confidence. e-mail: Keith Bradley

• Harris Realty, Suite 2 70 N Main St, 800-652-7701

• Joanne Howle Realty, 301 N Main St, 652-6455

• Pinkerton Realty & Appraisal, P.O.Box 106, 652-7790

• Pinnacle Group, the (Century 21), Suite 101, 451 N Main St, 866-659-6500

• Mountain View Realty, 33 W Henderson St, 659-3100

• Realty Group 1, 125 S Main St, 877-652-3797

• Van Dyke & Company, 40 S Main, 652-2868

• Whitson Realty, 3800 Sugar Hill Rd, 800-731-3540

Old Fort — This was the far west.and the town dates back to the days before the USA became the USA. They have a lot of fascinating stories to tell, here, but our favorite is how the 25-foot tall, hand-chiseled stone arrowhead came about. (It is now standing next to the Chamber of Commerce.
   Old Fort is the eastern gateway to the Black Mountains sub-chain of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I-40, the primary east-west highway, climbs from 1,410 to 2,740 feet elevation in 10 miles. Not all that challenging unless you are tugging an RV trailer. Property with mountain views as well as waterfront property (the Catawba River's headwaters are here) is available and for a lot less on the east side of the ridge than on the west side.'

Real estate agent in Old Fort:

• Gateway Mountain, One McKenzie Way, 800-521-6788
  An excellent choice for a second home or for future retirement living, Gateway Mountain offers 2,900 acres
   of completely unspoiled, natural beauty. Each home site is laid out with total privacy as the primary goal.