This property is the gem of Hillsborough. From the high-quality, well-constructed home to the extraordinary gardens, magnificence is found. Very private.The 17.5 acers is mostly hardwood forest making up about 60%, w/ 2 large pastures & multiple gardens. One of the pastures is fenced such that it can house small &large livestock. Pastures have shelter, one with a run-in, the other w/ access to the barn.It is a 5-stall barn w/ a horse washing stall w/ concrete flooring & a drain, electricity, water, tack room, storage room, & 2nd story hay loft. Double stall for foaling or other uses. The gardens are mature, making them incredibly low maintenance. They are made up primarily of rare & unusual trees, fruit trees, & specialty flowers. There are some trees that probably are not found anywhere else in North Carolina, except maybe a botanical garden. Fruits include 5 types of figs,kiwi, blueberries, pears, plums, peaches, and 3 types of grapes. A complete list of the plants can be provided- all of the plants in the garden have name plate markers for easy identification. The gardens also contain many large decorative boulders & even a secret entrance/exit that leads to the pond. To water the gardens & other plants there are several rain barrels & a 1500-gallon cistern. Additionally, for the gardener in us all, there is a 30' x 50' greenhouse. There are 2 ponds. The smaller one is in one of the pastures & the large one is a short pleasant walk through the woods using a cleared, well-marked path.The front yard is fenced & there is a large coop for poultry. This property is great for all pets, horses, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, peacocks, llamas, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, & guineas, all of which have resided here at one time.The house sits off the road w/ an asphalt drive that accesses the barn as well. 2 Car garage has new coated floor. The roof is 2012. huge deck which is very sturdy & painted within the last 3Covered porch and huge deck w/new paint & can be accessed from the large great room through beautiful double doors, from the sunroom, & from the main bedroom. There is nothing like a quiet early morning stroll onto the private deck to smell the freshness in the air from all the plants, listen to the birds & the rustle of leaves, & eating figs off the tree by the deck. Through the windows you will see an array of wildlife regularly. Daily deer will wander through the yard & there is a sighting of bunnies, squirrels, & deer are daily, but you will also witness fox, coyote, raccoons, opossums, hawks, wild turkeys, owls, skunks, & a barrage of song birds, among other critters. No need to worry, it is safe. Everything inside is new in 2012. Cabinets, hinges, knobs, and latches, as well as the granite countertops in the bathroom, mudroom, and kitchen. wall paint of beautiful soothing colors in 2012. Sinks some being hand-painted w/ gorgeous floral designs. There are many windows that allow lots of natural light, & the windows are Pella. Many of the lights are recessed but there are also some attractive chandeliers & other light fixtures. The hardwood floors were all redone in 2012.Skylights in the sunroom.The home can also be heated w/ the wood burning furnace in the basement. This impressive fireplace & chimney were constructed using the rocks that were found when digging the foundation for the house. The design & placement of the house is set up to be passive solar, meaning the house is cooler in the summer & warmer in the winter from the shade and sun without needing to use much electricity. It is very efficient.The main bedroom is downstairs. It may seem like we are in the middle of nowhere but in actuality we are only a very short drive to Durham, Chapel Hill, Eno River, & downtown Hillsborough. The short drive to civilization is very scenic & you have lots of cows to keep you company.In a pinch, there is a convenience store only 2 miles away in 2 different directions, & there is an ice cream parlor less than 5 miles.