Tony Austin

Broker

Tony Austin is a licensed real estate broker who serves buyers and sellers of homes in the Lake Toxaway area of western North Carolina. He has over 25 years’ experience covering many types of property and is known in particular as the lake specialist. His approach combines problem-solving personal service with exhaustive local knowledge and innovative online resources.

After graduating from Emory University, Tony worked in advertising in Atlanta during the 1970s, then taught advertising in Switzerland and London. Returning to Atlanta in the 1980s, he joined an advertising agency specializing in resort homes in destinations such as Kiawah Island and Hilton Head Island. His clients included real estate holdings of Alcoa Aluminum (Dataw Island) and select Florida properties of Arvida (The Islands of Cocoplum).

In 1986 Tony assisted his wife and her brother in opening Wade Hampton Golf Club in Cashiers. He began consulting with Lake Toxaway Company and served as its marketing director and listing coordinator before becoming qualified as a real estate agent and broker.

Tony’s breadth of experience is equalled by his deep knowledge of the Lake Toxaway area. He knows it as a hike leader, trail by trail, mountain by mountain, lake by lake. He knows the local property market as few others do. And he uses the latest tech tools to stay informed and to keep in touch with his clients.

If you are looking to sell your home, you can expect a proactive and professional approach to the entire process. Your property will be distinctively presented in words and pictures, combining personal contact, online media and open houses to reach qualified prospects.

If you are seeking to buy a home at Lake Toxaway, Tony will listen closely to learn what you have in mind then work with you to help you find it, in person and through online data analytics.

Susan Chambers

Broker, CNHS

Twenty-six years living in the mountains of western North Carolina give her nearly native status. Although Susan spent most of her life in and near New York City, she is a country girl at heart. Susan has had a diverse career, including that of professional dancer, choreographer, kindergarten teacher, actor, voice over artist, creative director of an advertising agency, Clio award winning copywriter, director of an issue based teenage theatre company, public relations specialist and Director of the Transylvania County Arts Council’s award winning Arts-in-the-Schools program.

She has traveled all over the world – especially throughout Asia – but feels there is no more beautiful place on earth than Lake Toxaway. All of these diverse roads have led her happily to the world of real estate…a world in which she has excelled as a consistent multi-million dollar producer for the past 16 years. Before landing in Lake Toxaway, Susan was a top producer with western North Carolina’s largest and most successful real estate firm. For those 7 years she sold homes and land in Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard, and continues to keep her thumb on the pulse of that market, continuing to list and sell homes and land in Brevard. In Lake Toxaway, Susan partnered with Jack Hall, broker extraordinaire. Now on her own with Jack’s retirement, Susan feels honored to have had the opportunity to learn the Lake Toxaway market and get to know its history from such a superb mentor.

Today, Susan lives in Brevard with her husband Harry, and their rescued Greyhound, Tommy Riley. Their son, Robin, 31, lives in the DC area, working as an engineer for an automotive software company. Susan holds the Certified New Home Specialist designation. She has served on the Professional Standards Committee of the Brevard Board of Realtors, and was elected to that organization’s Board of Directors. She volunteers with the Public Relations Committee of the Brevard Philharmonic, helping with their Music in the Schools outreach. She also writes the promotional articles for each concert. Susan specializes in relocation and likes to temper her professional real estate focus with a solid dose of fun.

Chip Freeman

Broker

Chip Freeman was born and raised in Savannah, GA and spent most of his youth on the Highland-Cashiers-Toxaway Plateau. At a very early age Chip knew he would eventually call Lake Toxaway home. In 1987 Chip began his career in Lake Toxaway cutting survey lines with veteran surveyor, Woodrow Wilson III for $5 per hour. Without exaggeration, Chip has walked every inch of the 5,000 acres Lake Toxaway Estates encompasses and knows it like the back of his hand.

Chip has been with the Lake Toxaway Company for 28 years during those years, no one has sold more property in Lake Toxaway. At the office, Chip distinguishes himself with a remarkable ability to read his clients find the perfect property for their life situation. For Chip working is not job, it is the opportunity to help friends, new and old find where they are meant to be.

Chip knows fun, and there is plenty of fun to be had in Lake Toxaway and the surrounding area. Being an expert fun-seeker Chip’s knowledge includes, but is not limited to, golf, trail running, mountain biking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, local food, breweries, and music. Chip has called this area home for 34 years, raising four children with his wife Rebecca.

Dave Guest

Broker, GRI

Dave originally came from England and moved to the Lake Toxaway area around 30 years ago after meeting (and eventually marrying) a Transylvania County native named Pam, while living in Florida. “I fell in love with Lake Toxaway and realized this was where I wanted to raise my family. I worked at Lake Toxaway Country Club and Greystone Inn for a few years, before starting a property management business, which my wife and I have run for the past 23 years exclusively in Lake Toxaway Estates. I am at the Lake Toxaway Company main office overlooking the waterfalls and I look forward to helping with all your brokerage needs.”

Andrea Hamilton

Broker

Andrea is a native of Cashiers, NC and brings a wealth of connections from the Highlands/Cashiers plateau area to our firm. Prior to joining the Firm, she worked for the Jennings family and developed a solid foundation in the construction industry which will serve as a valuable resource to our clients and team. Andrea received her education from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Education. She has a passion for gardening, cooking and the outdoors. She has two sons and currently lives in Brevard. She is excited to join the Company and establish her business in this beautiful part of the world.

John Heinitsh

Broker

After ten years of building and selling new homes and commercial development, I have rejoined the Lake Toxaway Company. For those who do not know me, my father started the Lake Toxaway Company in 1960. Lake Toxaway has been a major part of my life since childhood.My educational background is accounting and finance as well as real estate. I obtained my real estate brokers license in 1976 and began selling home sites with my father that summer. My first sale was a lakefront home site and the price was $22,500.00.My work experience includes President and Chief Operating Officer of a Savings and Loan and a Mortgage Banking firm, a CPA firm, commercial real estate development, homebuilding, and real estate appraising. With my experience I am confident that I can provide the professional service you expect.

Reg Heinitsh, Jr.

President/Chairman

Reg Heinitsh, III

Vice President, Broker

Reg III’s heritage stems from the beginning of the Lake Toxaway Company, the grandson of the original owner and the son of the present owner, Lake Toxaway is in his blood. He spent his younger years at Lake Toxaway giving tours, teaching tennis and experiencing all that Toxaway has to offer. Reg returned to the place of his childhood dreams in August 2004, after years of owning a publishing and marketing business in Columbia, SC. Reg is on the Board of Directors of The Lake Toxaway Company, and is a practicing Broker. In his off time Reg enjoys working on his golf game, skiing, watching college football, mountain biking and spending time with his three loving pets. Occasionally Reg gives the Greystone Inn’s Champagne Cruise on Lake Toxaway aboard the Miss Lucy; a beautiful 26 passenger mahogany boat.

Will Heinitsh

Vice President, Broker-in-Charge

Will offers his clients extensive knowledge of the real estate market coupled with over 30 years of living in WNC and watching the Lake Toxaway area evolve into the thriving community it has become today. Prior to joining the Company, Will worked as an asset manager with a bank based in Asheville, NC where he developed an acute understanding of the real estate market in Western North Carolina. Since joining the Lake Toxaway Company he has become an annual multi-million dollar producer. In addition, Will currently serves on the board of directors for the Lake Toxaway Company and on the recipient evaluation committee for Lake Toxaway Charities.

Will is an alumnus of The Hill School in Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia. Before returning to the mountains, Will lived in Washington DC where he worked for a senior Member of the House appropriations committee on Capitol Hill. Will is married to Susie, who he met while living in Washington. Will and Susie have a young son and a golden retriever, Goose. When he can get away from the office, Will enjoys spending time with his family in the outdoors – hiking, fly-fishing, tennis, and golf.

Ross Hyett

Broker

Ross came to Lake Toxaway in the spring of 1989 after receiving a business degree from Appalachian State.  Though not born here, Ross is an adoptive Transylvania County native. Ross and his wife, Leigh, have lived more than half their lives and raised their two children in this beautiful area. In his spare time Ross enjoys playing golf and tennis as well as spending time with his sassy 4 year old granddaughter Eloise. Ross relies on repeat customers and referrals from his more than 25 years of experience in the Lake Toxaway real estate business.

Scott McCall

Broker

Scott is an eighth generation Transylvanian. Having grown up in these mountains, he gained a keen interest of the outdoors at an early age. Following his college years, in which he earned a degree in Forest Management; Scott began his real estate career in 1993. He later worked managing some of Western North Carolina’s premier homeowner associations, including the Lake Toxaway Community Association. During his time as manager of the LTCA, Scott gained valuable insight into the unique nature of Lake Toxaway Estates, earning the respect and appreciation of its many residents and guests.

Scott and his wife Teresa have two adult children, Stephanie and Casey. In his spare time, Scott enjoys almost all outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and exploring new places.

He and Teresa are active members of Brevard Community Church. Scott has served on many county boards, including as a past Chairman of the Transylvania County Planning Board.

Bianca Mitchell

Director of Real Estate Operations/Broker

Bianca is the organizational backbone of the Lake Toxaway Company, responsible for the ebb and flow of real estate documents, keeping the Company up-to-date on multiple MLS systems, and tirelessly researching deeds, protective covenants, and all things Lake Toxaway Estates. In addition to current real estate transactions, Bianca is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and organization of the Lake Toxaway Company’s file library which spans the Company’s 57 year history. Bianca also serves as an officer of the Corporation in the capacity of Secretary/Treasurer. With an 12 year tenure at the Lake Toxaway Company, Bianca is a wealth of knowledge and the Company go-to person for virtually every project and transaction.

Bianca received her Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Brevard College. She also holds a North Carolina Broker’s License and is a member of the Land of Sky Board of Realtors and the Highland Cashiers Board of Realtors.

In Bianca’s free time she can be found in her art studio working on her mixed media paintings, several of which are displayed in the Company office. An avid supporter of the arts Bianca has served on several committees for Brevard College, she currently is a member of the Lake Toxaway Art Guild. Bianca also enjoys hiking in Pisgah National Forest and Panthertown Valley with her husband, and reading on the couch with her dog, Cotton Ball.

Mish Nichols

Broker

Mish Nichols was first introduced to Lake Toxaway by her husband, John Nichols, who is a grandson of the original developer of Lake Toxaway.  She fell in love with the area, married her husband here, spent summer after summer in their family home on the lake and then decided to relocate their family and raise their three children here.  She is passionate about the area, the relaxed lifestyle and connecting people and families to other Lake Toxaway residents so that their lives might be further enriched by the welcoming community here.

Mish is a native of Columbia, SC and graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee).  Real estate has been a part of her life since an early age, with a mother in the industry as well as a husband who owns his own commercial real estate firm.  Mish welcomes the opportunity to work with you as she understands the importance of a prudent investment since she was a licensed financial adviser at Merrill Lynch, and also has a discerning eye which served her well when she was a buyer for a retail company with multiple locations in the southeast.

Rachel Schneider

Receptionist

As native of Transylvania County and with a tenure stretching more than 20 years with the Company, there are very few things about Lake Toxaway or the area that Rachel does not know. Secret swimming hole? Check! Directions to any location in the Estates? Check! You cannot stump her, we dare you to try. Not only is Rachel our friendly voice on the phone and the greeter of all Company visitors, she is the person who single handily manages the many behind-the-scenes details of the Lake Toxaway Company.

Jerry Starr

Broker, GRI

Jerry has been brokering mountain properties since 1979 and the past 24 years have been at Lake Toxaway. His experience in real estate has been in Alabama, South Carolina, North Georgia, Tennessee and various locations in North Carolina. When he saw Lake Toxaway, he realized there was no where else that could be better than this location for finding the dream homes for his clients in the cool climate of 3,000′ elevations. He is also delighted to assist clients in catching the nine species of game fish found in the two lakes within the boundaries of Lake Toxaway Estates. His decades of experience walking the seven mountains and 5,000 acres of the Estates gives him an infinite knowledge of the terrain, views, streams, vegetation and wildlife of this area considered to be the most diverse botanical area in the world. His stories of the area and delightful mountain humor will add immeasurably to your exploration for a homesite or home whether it is a modest cottage or an opulent estate.

Having been raised on farm and continuing to operate the 100 year old family farm raising hay and cattle, gives him a love of the land, inspired by his grandfather, very rarely found in real estate brokers. Long walks through the woods and along the streams with his grandfather, a lumberman, provided him with a special perspective of the peace and solitude found on the peaks and in the valleys which he will try to have you experience on your very first visit. A private boat ride on the drinkable quality, crystal clear waters of Lake Toxaway viewing the homes and magnificent mountains with the granite stone faces and Jerry’s stories of the Cherokee (his great grandfather was Cherokee), the “long hunters” of the 1800’s and the history of the development will leave an impression never to be forgotten. The beautiful scenery, the great dining, the cool summer temperatures, the history and the friendly property owners will instill a desire to return for the summers or live here permanently as many of the residents do. Jerry feels that his job is to have you experience the tranquil life at Lake Toxaway in the time you allow out of your hectic schedule for your visit. He cautions you to beware, even one visit can lead to a life long addiction.

Goose

Official Greeter

Goose has been around the real estate business his entire life. Eager to get involved, Goose has reported to work with his dad, Will, nearly everyday since he outgrew his puppyhood. Goose is a graduate of the elite training program Frequent Pets and Belly Scratches which makes him an ideal office companion. In fact, Goose’s first position with the Company was “Official Foot Warmer to the Sales Team” a position he excelled at. After two years of dedicated service and lunch patrol, Management thought he was ready to meet the public and Goose was promoted to “Official Greeter” a prestigious post he takes very seriously. Goose has been perfecting his tail wag and door watching skills for years. He is eager for you to visit so he may officially welcome you to Lake Toxaway.

When Goose is not in the office he likes to chase tennis balls, go boating on Lake Toxaway, explore the many hiking trails in the area, and snuggle with his younger-human brother William.