Emerald Bay, Vista Shores
Many of the calls and emails I get lately have to do with marketing people have received about great deals on properties in Emerald Bay. Primarily, folks want to know where this community is located and what the back story is.
Several years ago, Steve Jones developed Hickory Point (also seen spelled as Hickory Pointe) off route 170 in Maynardville TN. In my opinion (and opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one), he did a nice job of preparing the sites. Most are roomy, trees have been thinned but not clear cut and views are fabulous. There is a small marina with limited space, a beautiful clubhouse and a small outdoor pool.
Once most of Hickory Point sold, he moved latterly to the cove off the main channel (which is very steep) and built custom homes on steep slopes with a tram for water access. He called this Vista Shores. Each home comes with a covered boat dock and view lots (also pretty steep) have access to a small community dock (with tram access).
Once he finished with Vista Shores, he backed up towards Route 170 and developed Emerald Bay. Some lots are level, some have wonderful lake and mountain views, some lots have no views and some lots are extremely steep. The lot prices for Emerald Bay are far less than they were for Hickory Pointe. But, overall, the lots do not have the quality of the Hickory Point lots.
It is my understanding that owners of property in Vista Shores or Emerald Bay may choose whether or not to have access to the amenities. If they choose not to, then they have no homeowners fees but that choice - either way - remains with the property if it is resold.
There are two sets of gates. The lower gates admit you to all of the properties. Near the top of the hill, another gate admits you to the Hickory Point and Vista Shores sections. Gates are closed and locked at sundown and opened at sunrise. Property owners have key cards and codes to get in during the times the gates are locked.
These communities are closer to Knoxville than just about any other community on Norris Lake - 15-20 minutes from North Knoxville (depending upon your route and driving speed!). And, unlike the majority of communities around the lake, this one is right off a main road and not the typical 15-20 minute drive from a main road. Because Hickory Point is one of the newer communities, lakeview and lakefront property prices are higher than in some of the older communities such as Norris Shores or Lone Mountain Shores.