About this home

$15K BUYER'S AGENT BONUS - if closed by 12/31/26! Hidden on the banks of Howard's Creek, 171 Grouse Covert Road is a rare High Country retreat where the sound of rushing water, towering trees, and exceptional craftsmanship come together on 3.78 acres with more than 575 feet of creek frontage. Just minutes from Boone and Appalachian State University, yet surrounded by the sights and sounds of the natural world, this is a property that feels wonderfully removed from the ordinary. Cross the creek and follow the drive into the woods, where a custom-built log home emerges among the trees. Crafted by a father-and-son team, the home reflects an appreciation for materials, craftsmanship, and the character of the mountains. Hand-hewn hemlock logs frame an interior accented with local wormy chestnut, cherry, and knotty alder. The result is a home with an unmistakable sense of place-warm, substantial, and deeply connected to its surroundings. Inside, the home is designed for gathering and lingering. A dramatic rock fireplace anchors the living room, while the expansive gathering room brings together the kitchen, dining area, and space to entertain. The main-level primary suite opens directly toward the outdoor living spaces, where a fireplace and patio invite evenings spent beneath the trees and beside the creek. Upstairs, two spacious bedrooms share a full bath, accompanied by a cozy office or playroom that adds flexibility for family and guests. But it may be the land that leaves the greatest impression. Howard's Creek moves through the property with a constant, soothing rhythm, offering more than 575 feet of waterfront to explore, fish, and enjoy. For the fly fisherman, it is an extraordinary opportunity to have the creek as part of everyday life. For everyone else, it is simply a beautiful place to slow down-listening to the water from the expansive front porch, gathering around the outdoor fireplace, or wandering through the woods as the seasons change. A lower-level garage, workshop, and abundant storage provide the practicality to complement the character of the home. There is something wonderfully timeless about this property. It is not merely a home near the mountains-it is a place shaped by the creek, the forest, and the craftsmanship of the people who built it. Opportunities to own this much creek frontage, acreage, and character so convenient to Boone are exceptionally uncommon. Seller currently receives mail at the downtown Boone Post Office. Physical mail delivery is not currently available to the property.

Facts and features

Schools

• Watauga High

  high · 9-12 · 1.8 mi

  8

• Green Valley Elementary

  elementary · K-8 · 2.4 mi

  5

• Mountain Pathways School

  elementary · K-5 · 0.7 mi

• Watauga Virtual Academy

  elementary · K-8 · 1.0 mi

  10

• Hardin Park Elementary

  elementary · K-8 · 1.5 mi

  8

• Watauga Innovation Academy

  high · 9-12 · 1.8 mi

  6

Price history

• Oct 15, 2026 · Price Changed$899,995
• Sep 21, 2026 · Price Changed$949,000
• Aug 26, 2026 · Listed$999,000
• Jun 21, 2024 · Sold$900,000

Tax history

• 2025$1,727 tax · $438,200 assessed
• 2024$1,715 tax · $438,200 assessed
• 2023$1,715 tax · $438,200 assessed
• 2022$1,692 tax · $438,200 assessed
• 2021$1,212 tax · $250,000 assessed
• 2019$1,212 tax · $250,000 assessed
• 2018$1,087 tax · $250,000 assessed
• 2017$1,087 tax · $250,000 assessed

Home value

$940,000

• Collateral Analytics$940,000
• Cotality$976,900
• Quantarium$887,181

Where it is