$366,697Average Value$325Average Price per Sq Ft13Homes For Sale
A remote community off Highway 23
The rural Otto is a small community settled in the Great Smoky Mountains. "We are just a little 'burg. We have a post office, and that's about it. If you blink, you probably wouldn't know you went through us," says Suzanne Mandler, Vice President of the Otto Community Development Organization. "It's a really nice place to be. Neighbors know neighbors, and people look out for each other." Otto homes range from permanent residences and investment properties to part-time mountain retreats. The area has remained a small, incorporated community, but there are a few new developments. "The Fire Department has broken ground on the new station. We now have an ambulance service attached to that, so that is quite welcomed," Mandler says.
Buying a home in Otto and environmental risks
Otto contains several elevated homes perched on undulating hillsides. Residences include farmhouses, cottages, brick ranch-styles and New Traditional dwellings. Meadowland Park is a 55-plus development with mountainside manufactured homes. "There will be a new, tiny house community off U.S. 441. It will be between the post office and the Georgia border," Mandler says. Properties typically run on septic tanks and contain storage units or barns. Home prices are comparatively lower than the rest of the Cullowhee metro area. Small farmhouses and cabins can range between $200,000 and $580,000. Larger custom homes and properties on several acres can range from $750,000 to over $1 million. The neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, much lower than the national average of 4. Macon County has a history of flooding and wildfires, which can impact homes.
Outdoor recreation at Nantahala and Tessentee Bottomland Preserve
Otto sits within the Nantahala National Forest, sprawling over 530,000 acres. The massive natural space offers fishing, recreational hunting, white-water rafting and trails. Mandler says that some hiking paths are within walking distance of homes. "There's hiking all around. You're at the foothills of the Smokies and part of the national forest. So, you can hike as much as you want," Mandler says. She says locals often fish and catch trout in nearby streams. "We also have gem mining, and the kids love it. Companies come and set up a trough. The stream goes through it, and kids can dig in it with their pans. It's a nice family event," Mandler says. Tessentee Bottomland Preserve is a nearby spot for additional hiking and birdwatching.
Shopping at Good Food Market or visiting Franklin and Georgia
Good Food Market offers grocery staples and fresh produce. The large fruit stand also sells international foods and locally made artisan goods. Residents can visit supermarkets in Franklin, such as ALDI and Ingles Market. "We have one restaurant in Otto, [Siam Thai Cuisine], and it's very good. It's right next to the post office," Mandler says. Over the Georgia border are restaurants like Valley Café and Kitchen at Julep Farms. The southern-style eatery, Cupboard Cafe & Gifts, is about 5 miles from the center of Otto.
Attending nearby schools in Macon County
Macon County Schools allows eligible families to transfer under specific conditions. Most students enroll at East Franklin Elementary, which has a B-plus rating from Niche. Mountain View Intermediate accepts fifth and sixth graders. Students will move on to Macon Middle and graduate from Franklin High. All three schools have B ratings. In late 2024, the Macon County Board of Commissioners approved funding for a $135 million project to rebuild the high school.
Hopping on highways 64 and 23
U.S. Highway 23 leads to the Georgia border in 5 miles. Franklin awaits about 10 miles to the north. The route brings drivers to U.S. Highway 64, which stretches past Highlands, around 20 miles away. Here, locals will find Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Otto is about a 200-mile drive from Charlotte and 150 miles from Chattanooga.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Otto, Highlands sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Otto, Highlands over the last 12 months is $358,000, up 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Joseph Edmiston, Jr.Homesmart Expert Realty (Mls Only)
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