$549,000
Briar Patch is one of those neighborhoods that earns the word "surprising." Positioned directly above the WCU campus with year-round views of university grounds and the surrounding mountains, it manages to stay genuinely quiet, a point that appears unprompted in many of the Airbnb guest reviews spanning five years of short-term rentals at this address. Adjacent student housing complexes operate under enforceable noise restrictions, and the result is a residential street that functions entirely on its own terms.
The home is a well-maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch on a level, half-acre open lot. Hardwood floors, an updated kitchen, a formal living room, and a separate family room give the main living area a comfortable and flexible layout. The roof, HVAC, electrical system, plumbing, and primary appliances have all been upgraded and/or replaced and are in verified working condition. Public water service and an insulated exterior with vinyl and brick finish make this a move-in-ready property without a project list attached.
The property's most distinctive asset is an attached 1-bedroom efficiency suite with its own private exterior entry and near-complete sound isolation from the main home. This suite has operated as a licensed short-term rental since 2021, generating $20,900 across 83 bookings in 2025 alone and earning Airbnb Superhost and Guest Favorite status with 153 reviews at a 4.9-star rating. Current figures reflect intentional owner-use blackout dates, meaning a new owner who converts those dates to bookings has additional upside already built in. The current owners note that in five years of continuous operation, the suite has never produced a noise or disturbance in the main living area.
Buyers with no interest in short-term rentals will find the suite equally well-suited as a private primary ensuite, guest quarters with independent access, or a dedicated home office with a separate entrance.
The property functions as a hub for western North Carolina. Waynesville, Cashiers, Cherokee, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are within 30 minutes. Bryson City and Franklin are 40 minutes out. Asheville is approximately one hour away. The Tuckasegee River, popular for whitewater paddling, kayaking, and fly fishing, runs through the area.
The yard includes a 24-by-24-foot concrete basketball court. A double attached carport with an integrated storage building complete the property
4
Beds
⋅
3
Baths
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4375247
MLS
⋅
1,831
SqFt.
⋅
ACTIVE
Status
52 Briar Patch Road, Cullowhee
Listing courtesy of Keller Williams Great Smokies. stefanie@conleyrogerswnc.com
