ASHEVILLE, N.C.—March 18th, 2011—When Charlotte-based Mountain Real Estate Capital (“MREC”) recently acquired the land and remaining homesites at Southcliff, an exclusive private, gated master-planned mountain enclave in Asheville, it promised change and a capital commitment to support new improvements and builder programs for this award-winning community. The first thing MREC did was to hire an experienced local community manager, Tom Williamson, who is dedicated to the implementation of MREC’s plan. Williamson is an engineer with more than 25 years of community development experience, most recently as Vice President of Community Development for Biltmore Farms, in charge of two of Biltmore’s most prestigious communities: Biltmore Lake, and The Ramble Biltmore Forest. “This opportunity is extremely exciting, not only for me personally but also for Southcliff’s homeowners and featured homebuilders,” explains Williamson. “All indications are that Asheville’s housing market has finally turned a corner, so to be positioned at this time to lead the resurgence of the finest mountain community located within minutes from downtown Asheville, owned by an experienced and well-capitalized development company with no debt on the property provides a unique opportunity for us all.”

Additionally, Williamson is working to expand Southcliff’s successful featured builder program, which already includes some of the most respected builders in the region including Biltmore Farms Homes, Sulaski & Tinsley Homes, Towery Builders, Beverly-Grant and Goforth Builders.

Sulaski & Tinsley Homes, builder of 32 semi custom and fully custom homes in Southcliff ranging in price from $400,000 to over $1,000,000 has recently contracted to sell its last two inventory homes and plans to shortly close the purchase of additional lots for new-home construction. “We have been able to successfully and consistently build and sell homes in Southcliff throughout the downturn, which we believe is a testament to the community’s unique mountain feel, proximity to downtown, and quality construction,” states Robert Sulaski, principal of Sulaski & Tinsley. “We are now even more dedicated to expanding our presence at Southcliff as a result of the new ownership which brings financial stability and a willingness to creatively work with us and support our efforts.

“What has impressed me most about the new ownership,” continues Williamson “is that they approach every development decision first from the homeowner’s perspective, not just from a profit perspective. They consider themselves to be co-owners and neighbors of each homeowner, which was evident by the immediate rapport struck with the homeowners at a recent wine and cheese party. What also struck me at that function was how happy our homeowners were – they truly love living at Southcliff, which was great to hear.”

“My wife and I decided to retire from Rochester Michigan to Southcliff for two main reasons, its proximity to downtown Asheville and the unique natural mountain living it provided. Southcliff is truly nature at your doorstep,” says Eric Johnston, a Southcliff homeowner. “We have loved every day spent here, and are extremely excited and appreciative of the early efforts being made by the new owner/developer to add additional improvements to this wonderful community.”

MREC has also recently engaged the following local professionals to assist in the management and sale of the community: IPM as the Home Owners Association management company, Beverly-Hanks as sales agent, and Private Mountain Communities for marketing.

Southcliff is an exclusive low-density, gated mountain community comprised of 275 wooded and high-elevation homesites on 400 pristine acres with mountaintop views of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Just 7.8 miles from downtown Asheville, Southcliff presents a dramatic mountaintop lifestyle with breathtaking views of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Current amenities include six miles of walking and hiking trails through protected woodlands, community parks, extensive children’s playground, multiple covered pavilions with outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and grill areas, and additional amenities to be announced shortly, according to Williamson who believes that Southcliff is a community like no other in this market.

Asheville, North Carolina remains one of the finest destinations for living anywhere in the United States and has been #1 on the Best Places to Retire List published by TopRetirements.com each year since 2007. The City of Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina, is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its natural beauty and recreation. Asheville serves as the regional hub for business, health and human services, the arts, shopping, dining and other community amenities for citizens and visitors.

About Mountain Real Estate Capital

Mountain Real Estate Capital is focused on expanding its portfolio of high-quality developments and properties in destination markets like Asheville, NC and greater Western North Carolina. Additionally, the group provides capital through flexible debt arrangements, joint purchases, and restructure of current debt to its builder/developer/investor partners. MREC’s nationwide team of investment managers and local development and builder partners is capitalized to invest over $1 billion in high-quality private residential developments. MREC has offices in Charlotte, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Richmond and Newport Beach. More information can be found at http://www.mountainrecapital.com.

For additional information about Southcliff, please visit at 10 Southcliff Parkway off of Route 74A in Fairview, NC, call 866-844-0660, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit our temporary website at www.southcliffasheville.com.