Higher Elevations: Houses
In the Mountains with Views

As the spring buying season begins and temperatures warm up, more home buyers will enter the market for a summer retreat. We take a look at three mountain residences that offer views and a respite from the heat.

• Nyack, N.Y.
• Cashiers, N.C.
• Conifer, Colo.

PLACE/PRICE: Nyack, N.Y./$1,999,900

PROPERTY TAX*: $26,000

THE PROPERTY: A residence built and formerly owned by local architect Irving Swire. The 3,200-square-foot home is on a .8-acre mountaintop site that overlooks the Hudson River, Tappan Zee Bridge and Hook Mountain State Park. The house has four bedrooms and three baths.

DESCRIPTION: The residence, constructed in 1982, is perched on the Palisades Cliffs and offers a glass wall and two decks that view the river. Included are a 20-foot heated driveway, a great room with fireplace, a kitchen with greenhouse breakfast area, a separate greenhouse and a studio.

NOTABLE: The property was put on the market two weeks ago. Home prices in the area are rising slowly, says listing agent Ernest Schlesinger of Mason Samett Associates in Tappan, N.Y. But, he says, "I think the housing market will calm down some." A main selling point of the property is its views, he says, but because of the home's steep cliffside location, it has no usable backyard (it does have a small front yard). However, a park is located across the street, he says. The home next-door to the property is currently on the market for $3.8 million, he says.

Sources: Mason Samett Associates, Signature Properties, RE/MAX Alliance Denver West

-- Ms. Kim is a senior editor at RealEstateJournal.com.

Email your comments to lauren.kim@dowjones.com.