Kyle
Nichols
Realtor® · Cashiers Valley Real Estate
"I don't just sell property on the Plateau — I live here, breathe it, and help the right people find their place in it."
A mountain that rewards
those who know where to look.
The Highlands–Cashiers Plateau is one of the Southeast's most sought-after destinations for second-home ownership — and one of its least understood markets. Topography, access, community, and elevation drive value in ways that catch outside buyers off guard. I'm here to change that.
About Kyle
From Charleston summers
to Plateau life, full-time
I grew up in Charleston and spent years vacationing on Lake Glenville — the kind of slow, annual ritual that quietly becomes part of who you are. Eventually, my husband Clark and I stopped talking about it and did what we'd been dreaming about for a long time: we bought a home on the Plateau and made it our life. Not a weekend life. Our actual, full-time life.
That matters when you're working with me. I'm not a Plateau specialist who drives in from Asheville. I'm your neighbor. I know which roads turn treacherous in January, which communities feel vibrant year-round versus just in summer, and which properties I'd personally be excited to own. That kind of knowledge doesn't come from listings — it comes from living here.
Real estate on the Plateau isn't just a transaction — it's a lifestyle decision. My job is to help you make it with your eyes wide open.
I started my real estate career in 2017, working alongside my mother and sister on one of Carolina One's top-producing teams in Charleston. I hold dual NC and SC licensure, and a licensed home inspection credential in South Carolina — which means I come to every property with a trained eye for what's behind the walls, not just what's in the listing photos.
Before leaving Charleston, I ran a highly-rated Airbnb in downtown Charleston for five years. I understand short-term rental operations from the inside — what guests want, what drives reviews, and how to position a property to outperform its market. If investment potential is part of your calculus for a Plateau purchase, that's a conversation I can have with real depth.
Whether you're a buyer exploring the Plateau for the first time, an agent looking for a trusted partner to represent your clients up here, or someone who just wants to understand the market better — I'd love to be your first call.
HOW I CAN HELP
Whatever brings you
to the Plateau
My clients come from different places and have different goals. Some are buying for themselves, some for investment, some are agents who need a trusted local partner. Here's how I show up for each.
Second-Home Buyers
You've heard about the Plateau but don't know the market yet. I'll orient you — communities, elevation, access, price ranges, and what actually matters up here — then walk every property alongside you with a trained inspector's eye.
Investment & STR Buyers
Five years running a five-star Airbnb gives me a perspective most agents don't have. I'll help you identify properties with real short-term rental potential and steer clear of the ones that look good on paper but underperform in practice.
Referring Agents
Your clients deserve a full-time Plateau expert, not someone who dabbles here. I protect your relationship, keep you in the loop at every step, and handle every detail so the experience reflects well on both of us.
Full-Time Relocation
More buyers are making the move permanent. I made it myself — and I can walk you through the practical realities of full-time Plateau life alongside the real estate. No rosy picture; just the honest version.
Land & New Construction
Mountain lots are not all equal. I'll help you evaluate land for access, soil, septic viability, seasonal water, and view exposure before you commit — and connect you with builders who know this terrain.
Sellers
The Plateau market has nuances that require local knowledge to navigate well. I'll position your property accurately, market it to the right buyers — including out-of-state networks — and negotiate with the market knowledge to back it up.
RESOURCES
Where would you like to go?
For Buyers
Plateau Buyer
Information
New to the Plateau market? Start here. Climate, communities, property types, price ranges, and the NC buying process — everything you need to approach your search with confidence.
For Agents
Agent Referral
Partnership
Do your clients keep asking about the mountains? Let's work together. I'm a full-time Plateau expert who treats every referral as a reflection of your reputation — because it is.
Free Resources
Insider
Guidebooks
Downloadable guides covering the Plateau from every angle — the Buyer's Guide, the Plateau Insider's Guide, seasonal living tips, and more. Free, no strings attached.
Get in Touch
Ready to start the
conversation?
Whether you have a specific property in mind or you're just beginning to research the Plateau, I'm happy to be your first call. No pressure — just a real conversation with someone who knows this mountain well.